SCIENCE 8

Living Things and Their Environment: Digestive System

Name: ________________________________________________________________
Grade & Section: _______________________________________________________

The digestive system of the human body comprises a group of organs working
together to convert food into energy for the body. It includes the absorption of nutrients
from food and then later excreting waste products. Anatomically, the digestive system is
made up of the gastrointestinal tract (GI tract), along with accessory organs such as the
liver, pancreas, and gallbladder. The organs that make up the gastrointestinal tract
include the mouth, pharynx (throat), esophagus, intestines (small intestine and large
intestine), rectum, and anus.

The food we intake, in order to be digested and for the body to absorb such
nutrients, it undergoes processes which involves ingestion, digestion, absorption,
assimilation, and elimination/excretion.

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INGESTION
This step involves mastication (chewing). The salivary glands, along with the
tongue, help to moisten and lubricate food before it is pushed down into the food pipe.
Mouth (5 – 30 seconds)
Food starts its journey from the mouth, or the oral cavity. Teeth tear and grind food
into small pieces and are moistened with saliva before the tongue pushes the food into
the pharynx.
 Amylase:
 Bolus: The food that gets chewed and mixed up with saliva (enzyme: amylase
Pharynx (Throat)
It is a common passage for food and air.
Epiglottis: A piece of flap-like cartilage that covers the larynx when swallowing so that
no food particles will enter the trachea.
Esophagus (7 – 10 seconds)
It has the role to carry swallowed food to the stomach. This food pipe shows
peristalsis which is an involuntary movement of muscles in a wave-like pattern. This
special movement helps the esophagus in carrying the food in the direction of the
stomach.
DIGESTION
It is the process of mechanical and chemical breakdown, in which large food
molecules are broken down into simpler molecules that can be absorbed by the body
cells.
 Chemical Breakdown/Digestion: It involves enzymes to break down food.
 Mechanical Breakdown/Digestion: It involves physical movements such as
chewing and muscle contractions.
Stomach
Muscle contractions produce a churning motion that breaks down food and forms
chyme. Protein digestion begins.
 Chyme: The acidic fluid consisting of gastric juices and partly digested food that
passes from the stomach to the small intestine.
 Mucous: It protects the stomach lining and gastric pits from the acid. This acid is
produced by the glands to destroy the bacteria that entered along with the food
particles.
 Digestive Enzymes: They are the enzymes that break down polymeric
macromolecules into smaller building blocks to facilitate their absorption by the
body.
 Hydrochloric acid: It is the digestive fluid formed by the stomach during the
process of digestion.
ABSORPTION
It is a process in which digested food materials are absorbed by the body cells.
Small Intestine (3 – 5 hours)
It is a part of the lower gastrointestinal tract. It is a thin, long tube that is roughly
ten feet long. It occupies the largest portion of the abdominal cavity and is located just
beneath the stomach. The entire small intestine is coiled, with ridges and folds on the
inside surface. Chyme is slowly released into the small intestine. Nutrients are absorbed
through the small intestine wall.

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  Microvilli is used to absorb nutrients.
Large Intestine (18 hours – 2 days)
This is a thick, long tube measuring around 5 feet in length. It is present just
beneath the stomach and wraps over the superior and lateral edges of the small intestine.
It absorbs water and consists of bacteria (symbiotic) that support the breakdown of
wastes to fetch small nutrients.
ASSIMILATION
It is the process of absorbing nutrients during digestion and distributing them
to the body for growth and repair.
 Sugar: It is used by all cells for energy production.
 Amino Acid: It is used for growth and repair of worn-out parts or tissues of the
body.
 Fats: They are utilized to provide energy for vital activities of the body.
ELIMINATION/EXCRETION
It is the removal of undigested material out of the digestive tract.
Rectum
Waste products are passed into the end of the large intestine called the rectum
and eliminated out of the body as a solid matter called stool. It is stored in the rectum as
semi-solid feces, which later exits from the body through the anal canal through the
process of defecation (discharge of feces).
Anus
The anus is the opening at the end of the digestive tract where stool leaves the
body.
Accessory Organs
Pancreas
It is a large gland present just behind the stomach. It is short, with its anterior
connected to the duodenum and posterior pointing towards the left part of the abdominal
cavity. The pancreas releases digestive enzymes to complete the process of chemical
digestion.
Liver
The liver is a roughly triangular, reddish-brown accessory organ of the digestive
system located to the right of the stomach. It produces bile, which helps in the digestion
of fat in the small intestine. The bile is stored and recycled in the gallbladder. It is a small,
pear-shaped organ that is located just next to the liver.
Gallbladder
It stores bile, a thick liquid that is produced by the liver that helps in the digestion
of fat.
Healthful Practices that Affect the Digestive System
1. A diet rich in raw living food should be part of our daily diet. Examples are vegetable
salads, fruits and nuts, vegetables, and fruit juices. And foods that provides our body
with high energy, strong stamina and all-around good health.
2. Food rich in fiber is also recommended. Fiber does not completely break down during
the digestive process and it “sweeps” the large intestine to keep it clean and to assist the
elimination of fecal materials.

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3. Drinking enough water likewise promotes healthy digestion. The digestive process
takes place in the presence of water. All cell functions require water to perform
optimally.
4. Exercise a little while after eating. Light exercise such as brisk walking and short
distance biking help the digestive system.
- Increase breathing and heart rate and increase the production of enzymes that will
lead to complete digestion.

Digestive System and Other Organ Systems in the Body

Body
Relation to Digestive System
System
The digestive system supplies nutrients essential
Skeletal
for the growth and repair of bones.
Nutrients from the digestive system fuel muscle
Muscular activity, whether it involves skeletal, smooth, or
cardiac muscle.
The digestive system furnishes nutrients to support
Respiratory
the diaphragm's function in facilitating breathing.
Nutrients from the digestive system sustain the
Circulatory heart's function by providing it with essential
substances necessary for circulation.
The digestive system supplies energy for the brain
Nervous to carry out cognitive functions and regulate other
bodily systems.
The digestive system provides nutrients required
Excretory/
for kidney function in filtering blood and removing
Urinary
waste products generated by other bodily systems.

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 SCIENCE 8
Living Things and Their Environment: Digestive System

Name: ________________________________________________________________
Grade & Section: _______________________________________________________

WORKSHEET

Test 1. Multiple Choice

Instructions: Encircle the letter of the correct answer.
1. Which of the following is NOT a part of the 7. Which of the following is a
digestive system? mechanical processing step in
digestion?
a. Liver
b. Kidney a. Absorption
c. Stomach b. Emulsification
d. small intestine c. Enzymatic breakdown
d. Chemical digestion
2. How does the nervous system regulate
digestion? 8. What happens during the process of
absorption in the digestive system?
a. By producing enzymes
b. By secreting hormones a. Food is broken down into smaller
c. By controlling muscle contractions molecules
d. By filtering waste products b. Nutrients move from the digestive
tract into the bloodstream
3. What is the main function of the small c. Waste products are eliminated from
intestine? the body
d. Enzymes are secreted to aid in
a. Absorption of nutrients digestion
b. Mechanical processing of food
c. Secretion of digestive enzymes 9. What is the primary function of the
d. Storage of bile large intestine?

4. Which body system transports nutrients a. Absorption of water and minerals

absorbed by the digestive system? b. Absorption of nutrients
c. Production of bile
a. Nervous system d. Secretion of digestive enzymes
b. Circulatory system
c. Respiratory system 10. How do body systems work together
d. Endocrine system in digestion and excretion?

5. What roles do the liver and gallbladder a. By producing hormones

play in digestion? b. By sharing nutrients
c. By transporting waste products
a. Producing bile d. By regulating body temperature
b. Absorbing nutrients
c. Filtering blood 11. Which of the following is NOT an
d. Pumping oxygen example of a model used to explain
body systems working together?
6. How does food move through the digestive
tract? a. Flow chart
b. Diagram
a. Through diffusion c. Simulation
b. Through muscle contractions d. Spreadsheet
c. Through osmosis
d. Through passive transport

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12. How does the plant transport system 19. How does the circulatory system
differ from the human digestive system? interact with the digestive system?

a. Plants do not have digestive enzymes a. By transporting nutrients absorbed

b. Plants do not absorb nutrients by the digestive system
c. Plants do not have a circulatory system b. By producing digestive enzymes
d. Plants do not undergo elimination c. By regulating muscle contractions
in the digestive tract
d. By filtering waste products from the
13. Which of the following is NOT a function blood
of the liver in digestion?
20. How do models, flow charts,
a. Producing bile diagrams, and simulations contribute to
b. Storing glycogen understanding body systems working
c. Filtering toxins from the blood together?
d. Producing insulin
a. By providing visual representations
14. What is the function of bile in digestion? b. By producing hormones
c. By eliminating waste products
a. Breaking down carbohydrates d. By absorbing nutrients
b. Emulsifying fats
c. Absorbing water
d. Transporting nutrients

15. Which body system controls muscle

contractions in the digestive tract?

a. Nervous system
b. Circulatory system
c. Muscular system
d. Respiratory system

16. What is the purpose of mucus secretion

in the digestive system?

a. To absorb nutrients
b. To eliminate waste products
c. To lubricate food
d. To break down food molecules

17. What happens during the process of

elimination in the digestive system?

a. Nutrients are absorbed into the

bloodstream
b. Waste products are expelled from the
body
c. Enzymes break down food molecules
d. Bile is produced by the liver

18. Which of the following is NOT a

component of mechanical processing in
digestion?

a. Chewing
b. Mixing
c. Segmentation
d. Enzymatic breakdown

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Test 2. Identification
Instructions: Identify and explain if the following statements show healthful practices that
promote wellness of the digestive system or not.
1. Lie down after eating: __________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

2. Eat high-fiber foods: ___________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

3. Skip your meals: ______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

4. Be hydrated: _________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

5. Stay active: __________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

Activity 1. Outline the process!

Instructions: Kindly provide a step-by-step outline of the digestive process.

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Activity 2. Label Me!
Instructions: Label the parts of the digestive system.

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Activity 3. My Favorite Food
Instructions: Think of your favorite food. Describe why you like it. Identify the ingredients
and describe how it can help to keep your body healthy. Write a creative title for your write
up.

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Title

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References:
Byjus. (2023, January 16). Human digestive system. BYJUS.
https://byjus.com/biology/human-digestive-system/
MATATAG Curriculum Worksheet
Science grade 8 lesson selection. Rex Education - RCR Demo Site. (n.d.). https://rcr-
demo.rex.com.ph/science-grade-8-lesson-selection

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