All the different digestive juices (fluids) found in the digestive system.

Here is a question someone asked in class..."How many different kinds of fluids are there?"

Well, here it is...  For the sake of 5th grade, just know that fluids are needed to help breakdown foods we eat into tiny particles, so it can be absorbed into the cells for energy.

Table 1: Digestive Juices

Salivary Glands

  Bicarbonate fluid        Lubricates food during chewing
  Salivary Lipase          Prepares fat for digestion

Gastric Secretions

  Acid                     Initiates digestion of protein,
                           and kills bacteria

  Pepsin                   Aids in initiation of protein digestion

  Gastric Lipase           Initiates digestion of dietary fat

  Mucous                   Lubricates and protects lining of
                           stomach

  Intrinsic Factor         Aids in absorption of Vitamin B12 by
                           small intestine
Liver Secretions

  Bile Acids               Detergent that helps dissolve dietary
                           fat

  Phospholipids            Promotes absorption of fats

  Cholesterol              Excreted in bile

  Immunoglobulins          Protect from bacteria and other
                           harmful organisms

  Mucus                    Protects from bacteria

Pancreatic Secretions

  Bicarbonate              Neutralizes acid and protects
                           digestive enzymes

  Water and electrolytes   Fluid delivery system for digestive
                           enzymes

  Amylase                  Digests dietary starch and glycogen

  Lipases                  Digest dietary fat

  Proteases                Digest dietary protein