What is the digestive system?
Q: What is the digestive system?
A: The digestive system is the parts of the body that digest food. It is also called the gastrointestinal system and breaks down food into simple chemicals which can be absorbed into the blood stream.
Q: What does the stomach do?
A: In the stomach, gastric acid is introduced. This is basically dilute hydrochloric acid with a pH level of 1.5 to 3.5 and it has a layer of mucus to protect itself from this acid.
Q: What are some organs that are part of the gastrointestinal system but not part of the gut?
A: Organs that are part of the gastrointestinal system but not part of the gut include liver and gall bladder, pancreas, salivary glands, lips, teeth, tongue, epiglottis, thyroid and parathyroids.
Q: How do these organs help us digest food?
A: These organs help us digest food by producing digestive enzymes which break down carbohydrates and meat into substances which can be absorbed by our bodies.
Q: What animals have digestive systems?
A: Animals such as worms, insects, mammals, birds, fish and people all have digestive systems.
Q: Who studies diseases related to gastrointestinal tract?
A: Doctors who study diseases related to gastrointestinal tract are called gastroenterologists
