Digestion Process Overview

Overview of Digestion

• Digestion is the process by which the body breaks down food into smaller molecules that can be absorbed and utilized for energy, growth, and repair.
• It involves both mechanical and chemical breakdown of food.

Mechanical Digestion

• Mechanical digestion involves the physical breakdown of food into smaller particles, increasing the surface area for chemical digestion.
• Examples:
  • Chewing food in the mouth
  • Mixing of food with stomach acid and enzymes in the stomach
  • Segmentation contractions in the small intestine

Chemical Digestion

• Chemical digestion involves the breakdown of food molecules into smaller molecules using enzymes.
• Enzymes are biological molecules that speed up chemical reactions.
• Examples:
  • Salivary amylase breaks down carbohydrates into simple sugars
  • Gastric amylase breaks down proteins into peptides and amino acids
  • Pancreatic lipase breaks down fats into fatty acids and glycerol

Digestive Enzymes

• Amylases: break down carbohydrates into simple sugars
• Proteases: break down proteins into peptides and amino acids
• Lipases: break down fats into fatty acids and glycerol
• Carbohydrases: break down carbohydrates into simple sugars
• Nucleases: break down nucleic acids into nucleotides

Digestive System Organs

• Mouth: mechanical and chemical digestion of carbohydrates
• Stomach: mechanical and chemical digestion of proteins
• Small intestine: chemical digestion and absorption of nutrients
• Large intestine: water absorption, electrolyte absorption, and storage of feces
• Pancreas: produces digestive enzymes and bicarbonate
• Liver: produces bile for fat digestion and absorption
• Gallbladder: stores and concentrates bile

Digestive Process

• Ingestion: food enters the mouth
• Peristalsis: muscular contractions that move food through the digestive system
• Absorption: nutrients are absorbed into the bloodstream
• Elimination: waste products are eliminated from the body

Digestion Process

• Digestion is the process by which the body breaks down food into smaller molecules for energy, growth, and repair.
• It involves both mechanical and chemical breakdown of food.

Mechanical Digestion

• Mechanical digestion increases the surface area for chemical digestion.
• Examples include:
  • Chewing food in the mouth
  • Mixing of food with stomach acid and enzymes in the stomach
  • Segmentation contractions in the small intestine

Chemical Digestion

• Chemical digestion involves the breakdown of food molecules into smaller molecules using enzymes.
• Enzymes are biological molecules that speed up chemical reactions.
• Examples include:
  • Salivary amylase breaking down carbohydrates into simple sugars
  • Gastric amylase breaking down proteins into peptides and amino acids
  • Pancreatic lipase breaking down fats into fatty acids and glycerol

Digestive Enzymes

• Amylases: break down carbohydrates into simple sugars
• Proteases: break down proteins into peptides and amino acids
• Lipases: break down fats into fatty acids and glycerol
• Carbohydrases: break down carbohydrates into simple sugars
• Nucleases: break down nucleic acids into nucleotides

Digestive System Organs

• Mouth: mechanical and chemical digestion of carbohydrates
• Stomach: mechanical and chemical digestion of proteins
• Small intestine: chemical digestion and absorption of nutrients
• Large intestine: water absorption, electrolyte absorption, and storage of feces
• Pancreas: produces digestive enzymes and bicarbonate
• Liver: produces bile for fat digestion and absorption
• Gallbladder: stores and concentrates bile

Digestive Process Steps

• Ingestion: food enters the mouth
• Peristalsis: muscular contractions that move food through the digestive system
• Absorption: nutrients are absorbed into the bloodstream
• Elimination: waste products are eliminated from the body

Learn about the digestion process, including mechanical and chemical breakdown of food into smaller molecules for energy, growth, and repair.