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Mechanism of Digestion

The human digestive system breaks down food through a multi-step process. Food is ingested and broken down mechanically by teeth and through the action of enzymes in saliva (1). It then moves to the stomach where gastric juices further digest the food (2). Partially digested food moves to the small intestine, where pancreatic juices and bile emulsify and break down nutrients into absorbable forms (3). Absorption of nutrients occurs through the intestinal walls (4). Remaining waste is passed to the large intestine where water is absorbed before elimination (5).

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Dev Bhutamwar
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152 views

Mechanism of Digestion

The human digestive system breaks down food through a multi-step process. Food is ingested and broken down mechanically by teeth and through the action of enzymes in saliva (1). It then moves to the stomach where gastric juices further digest the food (2). Partially digested food moves to the small intestine, where pancreatic juices and bile emulsify and break down nutrients into absorbable forms (3). Absorption of nutrients occurs through the intestinal walls (4). Remaining waste is passed to the large intestine where water is absorbed before elimination (5).

Uploaded by

Dev Bhutamwar
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Human Digestive System

Digestion Steps in Digestion


What Breakdown of food in mouth by
teeth and enzymes in the saliva
Process of converting complex
molecules into simpler forms
Transfer of partially digested
Why food through oesophagus
Body can absorb simpler forms of
food to generate energy Further digestion in stomach by
digestive juices

Ingestion
Complete digestion & absorption
in small intestine
Egestion Motility

Functions Assimilation of absorbed food

Absorption Secretion
Absorption of water & waste
Digestion generation in large intestine

Parts of Digestive System

Gall bladder
Mouth

Liver
Salivary glands

Oesophagus

Stomach Pancreas Small & large


intestine

Hormones (e.g.: Gastrin) & nerves control the process of digestion


Mechanism of Digestion
1 Oral Cavity
• Chewing breaks food into small
• Food taken through mouth
particles
• Teeth break down the food
• Saliva moistens & lubricates food
• Saliva = Amylase + Lysozyme forming bolus
• Bolus is swallowed & moves
30% hydrolysis of Antibacterial agent: through oesophagus by peristalsis
starch Prevents infection
Starch + Salivary amylase Maltose

2 Stomach
• Gastric glands in Gastric juices & enzymes
mucosa lining: • HCl provides the acidic pH
» Mucus neck cells – Mucus • Pepsinogen (proenzyme) is
» Peptic cells – Pepsinogen converted into Pepsin by HCl
» Parietal or oxyntic cells – HCl • Pepsin converts protein into
• Food mixes with gastric juices by peptones & proteoses
churning movement • Prorenin (proenzyme) is converted
to Renin by HCl
• Chyme is this semi-digested, acidic
• Casein (milk protein) is converted to
and pulpy food
peptides by Renin

3 Small Intestine
• Consisted of duodenum, Digestive juices & enzymes
jejunum, and ileum • Pancreatic juices breakdown
• Chyme is further mixed & churned carbohydrates & proteins
here by peristalsis • Intestinal juices breakdown
• Pancreas & liver secrete enzymes carbohydrates & proteins
that help breakdown & absorb food • Bile converts fat globules into fat
into the blood droplets by emulsification
• Absorbed nutrients are assimilated • Pancreatic lipase converts triglycer-
upon reaching target ides into fatty acids & glycerol

4 Large Intestine
• Significantly less digestive • Secretes mucus that helps in
activities lubrication & holding up waste
• Bacteria act on leftover food particles
particles • Undigested & unabsorbed faecal
• Absorption of minerals, water matter is passed to rectum
& certain drugs occur • Faeces is egested through anus
Parasites Infecting Digestive System
Tapeworm Hookworm Pinworm Roundworm Threadworm Virus Bacteria

Digestive System Disorders


Jaundice Nausea & Vomiting Blood in stool Peptic ulcers Diarrhoea Gallstones
Absorption & Assimilation
Absorption Assimilation
• Process of absorption of end • Process of synthesis of
products of digestion into the blood macromolecules from simple
or lymph from intestinal mucosa absorbed molecules
• Occurs by active, passive • Helps in cell growth, development &
or facilitated transport mechanisms new cell production

Duodenum
• First section of small intestine
• Connects to pyloric sphincter of
the stomach
• Bile & pancreatic juices mix with
chyme

Jejunum
• Middle section of small intestine
• Primary site of nutrient
absorption & is 3 ft in length

Ileum Small Intestine


• Terminal section of small • 10 ft convoluted tube-like
intestine structure
• Empties into large intestine • Mesentery surrounds it & anchors
• Completes remaining nutrient it in place
absorption & is 6 ft in length • Special cells help absorb nutrients
from intestinal lining to
bloodstream

Absorptive Area
• Huge surface area due to presence • Villi: Digested food particles pass
of mucosal folds, villi, and microvilli. from lumen of intestine to blood
capillaries or lacteal.
villi
• Amino acids & monosaccharides
enter blood capillary network.
• Larger molecules of digested fat
Crypt Microvilli
enter lacteal & are emptied into
Enterocyte lymphatic system.
• Villi & microvilli are exposed to
• Water & fatty acids are absorbed
lumen.
by osmosis & diffusion.
• Microvilli: Creates brush-like border
that increases rate of nutrient • Glucose, amino acids & minerals
absorption. are absorbed by active transport.

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