Gut Check! Fun Digestive System Quiz for Curious Kids

Test your knowledge of digestion, organs, and enzymes with quick, fun questions. Perfect for curious kids 12+—see how well you know your gut!

  1. Which organ produces bile but is not part of the digestive tract tube?
    1. Stomach
    2. Gallbladder
    3. Pancreas
    4. Liver
  2. What is the name of the tiny finger-like projections that increase absorption surface in the small intestine?
    1. Villi
    2. Cilia
    3. Microvilli
    4. Rugae
  3. Which digestive enzyme in saliva begins breaking down starches?
    1. Amylase
    2. Lipase
    3. Pepsin
    4. Lactase
  4. Where does most water reabsorption occur in the digestive system?
    1. Colon
    2. Stomach
    3. Small intestine
    4. Esophagus
  5. Which organ uses acid to help digest proteins and kill microbes?
    1. Stomach
    2. Pancreas
    3. Liver
    4. Gallbladder
  6. What is the muscular tube that transports food from the mouth to the stomach?
    1. Pharynx
    2. Trachea
    3. Esophagus
    4. Duodenum
  7. Which organ produces enzymes and bicarbonate to neutralize stomach acid in the small intestine?
    1. Gallbladder
    2. Liver
    3. Pancreas
    4. Spleen

Answers and explanations

  1. Question: Which organ produces bile but is not part of the digestive tract tube?
    Answer: Liver
    Explanation: The liver makes bile to help digest fats but food doesn't pass through it; many confuse it with the gallbladder, which stores bile.
  2. Question: What is the name of the tiny finger-like projections that increase absorption surface in the small intestine?
    Answer: Villi
    Explanation: Villi dramatically increase surface area for nutrient uptake; people often mix them up with microvilli, which are on the villi themselves.
  3. Question: Which digestive enzyme in saliva begins breaking down starches?
    Answer: Amylase
    Explanation: Salivary amylase starts carbohydrate digestion in the mouth; lactase and protease act later in the gut on different nutrients.
  4. Question: Where does most water reabsorption occur in the digestive system?
    Answer: Colon
    Explanation: The colon (large intestine) reclaims water from waste; the small intestine absorbs most nutrients but less water overall than the colon.
  5. Question: Which organ uses acid to help digest proteins and kill microbes?
    Answer: Stomach
    Explanation: Stomach acid (HCl) denatures proteins and reduces pathogens; the pancreas provides enzymes but not strong acid.
  6. Question: What is the muscular tube that transports food from the mouth to the stomach?
    Answer: Esophagus
    Explanation: The esophagus uses coordinated muscle contractions (peristalsis) to move food; some mistakenly call it the windpipe, which is the trachea.
  7. Question: Which organ produces enzymes and bicarbonate to neutralize stomach acid in the small intestine?
    Answer: Pancreas
    Explanation: The pancreas supplies digestive enzymes and bicarbonate to the duodenum; the liver makes bile but not bicarbonate.