Digestive system worksheet for students to match terms with their functions.

Task: Match the correct digestive system term to its function.

Here is the solution with explanations for each match:

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#### 1. Helps break down food; kills any bacteria in the food
- Answer: O. Saliva
- Explanation: Saliva contains enzymes like amylase, which help break down carbohydrates, and lysozyme, which helps kill bacteria in the mouth.

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#### 2. 22 feet long; place body absorbs proteins, nutrients, fats
- Answer: P. Small intestine
- Explanation: The small intestine is about 22 feet long and is the primary site for nutrient absorption in the digestive system.

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#### 3. Stores food; breaks it down into a mixture
- Answer: Q. Stomach
- Explanation: The stomach stores food and uses gastric juices (including hydrochloric acid and enzymes) to break it down into a semi-liquid mixture called chyme.

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#### 4. Flap preventing food from entering windpipe
- Answer: F. Epiglottis
- Explanation: The epiglottis is a flap of tissue that covers the trachea (windpipe) during swallowing to prevent food or liquid from entering the lungs.

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#### 5. The windpipe where food should not go
- Answer: T. Trachea
- Explanation: The trachea is the windpipe that carries air to the lungs. Food should not enter here, as it can cause choking.

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#### 6. Moves food from the back of the throat to the stomach
- Answer: G. Esophagus
- Explanation: The esophagus is a muscular tube that transports food from the throat (pharynx) to the stomach through peristaltic movements.

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#### 7. Includes the saliva, teeth, and tongue
- Answer: L. Oral cavity
- Explanation: The oral cavity (mouth) includes structures such as the teeth, tongue, and salivary glands, which are involved in the initial stages of digestion.

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#### 8. Spit that breaks down food inside the mouth
- Answer: O. Saliva
- Explanation: Saliva contains enzymes like amylase, which begin breaking down carbohydrates in the mouth.

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#### 9. Helps break down food in the mouth when you chew
- Answer: R. Teeth
- Explanation: Teeth mechanically break down food through chewing, making it easier to swallow and digest.

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#### 10. Helps move food into the opening of the esophagus
- Answer: S. Tongue
- Explanation: The tongue helps push food to the back of the throat, facilitating its movement into the esophagus.

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#### 11. The process of food being broken down
- Answer: E. Digestion
- Explanation: Digestion is the overall process by which food is broken down into smaller molecules that can be absorbed and used by the body.

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#### 12. The exit through which waste leaves the body
- Answer: A. Anus
- Explanation: The anus is the terminal part of the digestive tract through which solid waste (feces) is expelled from the body.

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#### 13. End of large intestine where waste is pushed out
- Answer: N. Rectum
- Explanation: The rectum is the final section of the large intestine where waste is stored before being expelled through the anus.

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#### 14. No longer serves a purpose but can become infected
- Answer: B. Appendix
- Explanation: The appendix is a small, vestigial organ attached to the large intestine. It no longer serves a significant purpose but can become inflamed, leading to appendicitis.

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#### 15. Last place and last chance for body to absorb nutrients
- Answer: D. Colon
- Explanation: The colon (large intestine) is the final part of the digestive tract where water and some remaining nutrients are absorbed before waste is excreted.

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#### 16. Receives all waste products body does not need
- Answer: J. Large intestine
- Explanation: The large intestine (colon) receives undigested material and absorbs water, forming feces, which are then stored in the rectum.

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#### 17. Makes juices that help your body digest fats and proteins
- Answer: M. Pancreas
- Explanation: The pancreas produces digestive enzymes (such as lipase for fats and proteases for proteins) that aid in digestion.

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#### 18. Filters out anything harmful to your body
- Answer: K. Liver
- Explanation: The liver filters harmful substances from the blood and plays a key role in detoxification.

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#### 19. Helps absorb fats into the bloodstream
- Answer: C. Bile
- Explanation: Bile, produced by the liver and stored in the gallbladder, emulsifies fats, making them easier to digest and absorb.

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#### 20. Stores bile from the liver until your body needs it
- Answer: H. Gall bladder
- Explanation: The gallbladder stores bile produced by the liver and releases it into the small intestine when needed for fat digestion.

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Final Answer:

```
1. O. Saliva
2. P. Small intestine
3. Q. Stomach
4. F. Epiglottis
5. T. Trachea
6. G. Esophagus
7. L. Oral cavity
8. O. Saliva
9. R. Teeth
10. S. Tongue
11. E. Digestion
12. A. Anus
13. N. Rectum
14. B. Appendix
15. D. Colon
16. J. Large intestine
17. M. Pancreas
18. K. Liver
19. C. Bile
20. H. Gall bladder
```

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Bonus Question: Which kinds of food or drink are best for helping the digestive system work properly?

- Answer: Foods high in fiber (e.g., fruits, vegetables, whole grains), plenty of water, and probiotic-rich foods (e.g., yogurt, kefir) support healthy digestion. Avoiding processed foods, excessive sugars, and fatty foods can also help maintain a balanced digestive system. Regular physical activity also aids digestion.

Final Answer Box:
```boxed{
1. O, 2. P, 3. Q, 4. F, 5. T, 6. G, 7. L, 8. O, 9. R, 10. S, 11. E, 12. A, 13. N, 14. B, 15. D, 16. J, 17. M, 18. K, 19. C, 20. H
}
```