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Overview
5th Grade Science
Body Systems
3. Digestive System
3.1 Digestion Process, Mechanical and chemical breakdown
Mechanical and Chemical Digestion
The two ways your body breaks down food: physically (mechanical) and with special liquids (chemical).
What You'll Learn
Digestion breaks food into tiny pieces the body can use for energy and growth.
Mechanical digestion breaks food into smaller pieces (chewing and stomach churning).
Chemical digestion breaks food into molecules using saliva, stomach acid, and enzymes.
Mechanical changes the food's size; chemical changes what it is made of.
Both happen together in the mouth and stomach.
What You'll Practice
1
You will identify differences between mechanical and chemical digestion types.
2
You will match enzymes like amylase and pepsin to their correct organs.
3
You will trace the correct order food travels through digestive organs.
Why This Matters
Understanding how digestion works helps you connect food choices to your body's energy, growth, and overall health in real and meaningful ways.
This Unit Includes
1 Video lesson
Practice exercises
Learning resources
Skills
Mechanical Digestion
Chemical Digestion
Enzymes
Peristalsis
Nutrient Absorption
SD Curriculum Aligned