The large intestine • The large intestine is a two-metre long tube that is inhabited by bacteria. • It is a continuation of the small intestine. It passes up along the right-hand side of the abdomen across the top and down the left-hand side, where the last few centimetres are called the rectum.
• Some remaining nutrients are absorbed and vitamins B and K are manufactured. • Water is absorbed into the bloodstream making the waste food – now called faeces – more solid.
• Faeces is pushed through the intestine by peristalsis into the rectum, where strong muscles push it out of the body through the anus.
Don’t Forget! A high-fibre diet helps the process of peristalsis by making the waste bulkier.
Further Investigation
To learn more about digestion watch the video ‘New GCSE BBC Bitesize – Digestion’ (3:43) on YouTube or go to kidshealth.org, click on ‘for Kids’ on the home page, and then search for ‘Digestion’ and click on the article ‘Your Digestive System’.
Revision Questions
1. Describe two physical changes and two chemical changes that occur during digestion.
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2. State the function of each of the following parts of the digestive system: (i) the mouth, (ii) the stomach and (iii) the small intestine.
3. Explain how digested food is absorbed into the bloodstream. 4. Outline the functions of the large intestine.
