The Digestive System - The Small Intestines
Science: Year 3 & 4 National Curriculum, topic 7.2.4
The Small Intestine's Role in the Digestive System
The third step of digestion involves ‘food’ moving into the small intestine.
Chyme
- At this point, the ‘food’ is now called 'chyme'.
- Chyme is food that has been broken down.
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.
Absorption
- The small intestine has a large surface area to absorb nutrients quickly.
- Absorbing nutrients in the small intestine is called absorption.
Test yourself on The Digestive System - The Small Intestines
What is the name for 'food' once it reaches the small intestine?