Amazing Facts About Your Stomach and Intestines for Middle Schoolers

📚 Quick Study Guide

• 📏 Stomach Size: Your stomach can stretch to hold about 1 liter of food! Think of it like a water bottle!
• 🧪 Stomach Acid: The acid in your stomach is strong enough to dissolve metal (but don't try it!). It helps break down food.
• ⏱️ Digestion Time: Food stays in your stomach for about 2-4 hours.
• 📏 Small Intestine Length: Your small intestine is about 6 meters (20 feet) long! That's longer than a car! 🚗
• 🧬 Villi: The small intestine has tiny finger-like projections called villi to absorb nutrients.
• 🦠 Gut Bacteria: Your intestines are home to trillions of bacteria that help you digest food and stay healthy.
• 💧 Water Absorption: The large intestine absorbs water from undigested food.

Practice Quiz

1. Which of these is the approximate capacity of the stomach when full?
   1. 1 liter
   2. 0.5 liter
   3. 2 liters
   4. 3 liters
2. What is the main function of stomach acid?
   1. Neutralize food
   2. Absorb nutrients
   3. Break down food
   4. Store food
3. Approximately how long does food stay in the stomach?
   1. 1-2 hours
   2. 2-4 hours
   3. 5-6 hours
   4. 7-8 hours
4. What is the approximate length of the small intestine?
   1. 2 meters
   2. 4 meters
   3. 6 meters
   4. 8 meters
5. What are the tiny finger-like projections in the small intestine called?
   1. Microvilli
   2. Villi
   3. Folds
   4. Cilia
6. What do the bacteria in your intestines mainly do?
   1. Cause diseases
   2. Help digest food
   3. Store energy
   4. Produce vitamins
7. What is the main function of the large intestine?
   1. Absorb nutrients
   2. Absorb water
   3. Produce enzymes
   4. Store waste