Ingestion 101

Digestive System

• A python is a type of suction feeder.

Digestive Processes

• The process of breaking down food into small molecules is called chemical digestion.
• Mechanical digestion increases the surface area of food, allowing for more efficient chemical digestion.
• Enzymes split food into small molecules during chemical digestion, which is an example of enzymatic hydrolysis.

Absorption and Elimination

• The uptake of nutrients by body cells is called absorption.
• The passage of undigested material out of the digestive system is called elimination.

Types of Ingestion

• There are four types of ingestion: suction feeding, ram feeding, filter feeding, and deposit feeding.

Importance of Digestive Compartments

• Most animals process food in specialized compartments to reduce the risk of digesting their own cells and tissues.
• The purpose of digestive compartments is to prevent self-digestion and allow for efficient digestion of food.
• If an animal digests its own cells and tissues, it can lead to tissue damage and disease.
• Reducing the risk of digesting its own cells and tissues is crucial to prevent harm to the animal's body.
• Specialized compartments in animals reduce the risk of self-digestion by separating digestive enzymes from the animal's own cells and tissues.
• The main advantage of processing food in specialized compartments is to prevent self-digestion and allow for efficient digestion of food.
• One function of digestive compartments is NOT to produce energy for the animal's body.