tooth no bacj
Guide Icon

Guide 4A

Digestive System

Upper & Lower G.I.T.

scroll down
In this guide you will meet the digestive organ structures and functions.

Video Overview

Watch this guide overview video; you can select the closed captioning “cc” option if you would like to see the text.

Digestive System Guide Contents

Complete all four of these sections before taking the quiz and making your media piece.

Digestive System Objectives

Digestive Overview

List and describe the basic digestive functions, including the role and locations of both mechanical and chemical digestion; identify the locations of organs within the thoracic (chest), abdominal, and pelvic cavities, and summarize the path food takes from ingestion through processing to egestion as fecal material.


Upper G.I.T.

Describe the basic functions of the salivary glands, esophagus, and zones of the stomach; provide detail on types of teeth and general tooth anatomy, including enamel, cementum, dentin, and pulp; and explain the significance of digestive chemicals like amylase, pepsin, and hydrochloric acid.


Lower G.I.T.

List the functions of the small intestine, large intestine, and rectum; describe the structure of the villi of the small intestine, and compare the tissue structures of the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, and large intestine; and explain how lipids are digested, including the organs and chemicals involved. 

Digestion Misconceptions

Describe what a misconception is and how a misconception can form; provide examples of digestive misconceptions and explain why they are incorrect; and explain how analysis of stool (fecal material) can provide information about the digestive process.


Digestive System Product Page

Look ahead to the products (quiz & media piece) you will be making after completing this guide’s four activity pages.

Digestive System Resource Page

Would you like to learn more than what is covered in this course?  Visit these extra resources for a lifetime of learning.

Human Biology Home

Course Overview

Module Index

Links to 10 Weeks

Next Guide

4B: Cardiovascular Disorders