BODY SYSTEMS: THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM

Module I. Learning to Read and Understand a Special Text

Task 1

A. Study the words from the box.

B. Copy the diagram given below. Using the words from the box, label the main parts of the digestive system in the copied diagram.

Organs of the Digestive System

Task 2

A. Read and translate the following international words: absorption, mineral, molecule, organ, process, production, tract, vital, vitamin.

B. Match the nouns in the left column (1-9) with the corresponding adjectives in the right column (a-i).

Task 3

You are going to read the text which contains basic information about the digestive system.

А. Read and translate the headings for the paragraphs of the text:

A. The organs of digestion

B. Absorption of water

C. Major functions of the stomach

D. The role of intestines

E. Digestion in the mouth

F. The role of the digestive system.

B. Look through the text and choose the most appropriate heading for each paragraph.

THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM

1. Digestion is the process of breaking down food into smaller molecules that can be easily absorbed by the body to use energy to build and nourish cells. The human digestive system provides the body with all the necessary carbohydrates, vitamins, fats and amino acids, that keep the estimated 50-75 trillion cells, functioning. It also eliminates all the waste products from the body.

2. The digestive system is a tube running from mouth to anus. The process of digestion starts in the upper gastrointestinal tract which comprises the mouth, teeth, tongue, pharynx, esophagus and the stomach. When you are chewing the food, the saliva in the mouth helps to break down the chemicals in the food to a small extent. This process makes the food mushy and easier to swallow. When the food is mushy enough, the tongue pushes small amounts of the mushed-up food (called bolus) inside the throat, or the pharynx. At the back of the throat there are two