4. Many people are unsure of exactly how the digestive system works. Digestion begins in the mouth
where teeth grind up food and saliva breaks it down, making it easier for the body to absorb. Next, the
food moves to the esophagus, and it is pushed into the stomach. The stomach is where food is stored
and broken down further by acids and digestive enzymes, preparing it for passage into the intestines.
The small intestine is where the nutrients are taken from food and passed into the blood stream. Other
essential organs like the liver, gall bladder, and pancreas aid the stomach in breaking down food and
absorbing nutrients. Finally, food waste is passed into the large intestine where it is eliminated by the
body.
The purpose of this passage is to:
a. Explain how the liver works.
b. Show why it is important to eat healthy foods
c. Explain how the digestive system works
d. Show how nutrients are absorbed by the small intestine