GLOSSARY

absorb (ab ZORB) — to soak up

“best before” date (best bi FOR date) — the date by which you should eat food

bacteria (bak TIHR ee uh) — the type of tiny organism that can only be seen under a microscope

bile (bile) — the juice produced by the liver that helps digest fat

cell (sel) — the smallest unit of any living thing

decay (di KAY) — to rot

digestion (duh JESS chuhn) — the process of breaking down food so that it can be absorbed into the body

digestive system (duh JESS tiv SISS tuhm) — all the organs that take in, digest food and expel waste

efficient (uh FISH uhnt) — well-organized; produces as little waste as possible

enzyme (en ZIME) — a chemical that speeds up a reaction

esophagus (i SOF uh guhss) — the passage that connects the mouth and stomach

gland (gland) — a structure that releases substances into the body; salivary glands release saliva into the mouth

heartburn (HART burn) — a burning feeling in the chest caused by acid from the stomach splashing up

indigestion (in duh JESS chuhn) — the discomfort caused by difficulty in digesting food

large intestine (larj in TESS tin) — the last section of the digestive system

magnified (MAG nuh fyed) — made bigger

microorganisms (mye kroh OR guh niz uhms) — the tiny creatures that can only be seen under a microscope

nutrients (NOO tree uhnts) — substances that provide nourishment

obese (oh BEESS) — extremely overweight

organ (OR guhn) — a complete part of an animal's or plant's body that carries out a particular job; the heart and lungs are both organs

rectum (REK tuhm) — the lowest part of the large intestine, ending in the anus

saliva (suh LYE vuh) — clear liquid in the mouth

small intestine (smawl in TESS tin) — the longest part of the digestive system; most digestion takes place here

spoil (spoil) — to go off, or turn bad

stomach (STUHM uhk) — a bag where food is stored and partly digested

taste bud (tayst buhd) — the part of the tongue that detects flavor

tissue (TISH oo) — a group of cells that carry out a similar function; groups of tissues make up organs

trillion (TRIL yuhn) — a million million (1,000,000,000,000)

villi (VIL ee) — the finger-like projections in the small intestine