7.2.4

The Digestive System - The Small Intestines

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The Small Intestine's Role in the Digestive System

The third step of digestion involves ‘food’ moving into the small intestine.

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Chyme

  • At this point, the ‘food’ is now called 'chyme'.
    • Chyme is food that has been broken down.
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Passing of nutrients

  • Chyme has been broken down enough to allow the smaller nutrients to pass through the wall of the small intestine.
  • The nutrients pass through the wall of the small intestine and into the blood.
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Absorption

  • The small intestine has a large surface area to absorb nutrients quickly.
    • Absorbing nutrients in the small intestine is called absorption.

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