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The Journey of Food Through The Digestive System

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32 views8 pages

The Journey of Food Through The Digestive System

Uploaded by

cheskavillanueva254
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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The Journey of Food

Through the
Digestive System
Embark on a fascinating voyage through the human digestive system, where
food undergoes a remarkable transformation, from the moment it enters
your mouth until its final destination.

by Cheska Villanueva
Mouth: The Gateway to
Digestion
Mechanical Breakdown Chemical Digestion
The journey begins in the Saliva a vital secretion
,

mouth where teeth work


, produced by salivary glands ,

tirelessly to break down food contains enzymes that initiate


into smaller pieces increasing
, the breakdown of
its surface area for easier carbohydrates starting the
,

digestion . chemical digestion process .

Taste and Smell


Our taste buds and olfactory receptors work in harmony detecting
,

flavors and aromas stimulating the production of saliva and preparing


,

the digestive system for the incoming meal.


Esophagus: The Passageway
Peristalsis
Once the food is sufficiently chewed and mixed with saliva, it
1
forms a bolus that travels down the esophagus, a muscular
tube connecting the mouth to the stomach.

Muscle Contractions
The esophagus uses rhythmic muscle contractions called
2
peristalsis to propel the bolus downwards, preventing it from
flowing back up.

Sphincter Control
A ring of muscle called the lower esophageal sphincter opens
3
to allow the bolus to enter the stomach and closes to prevent
stomach contents from flowing back up.
Stomach: The Churning Chamber
Mixing and Grinding Enzyme Action Chyme Formation
The stomach, a muscular sac, receives Gastric juices contain enzymes like The stomach churns and mixes the
the bolus from the esophagus and pepsin, which break down proteins into food, creating a semi-liquid mixture
begins the process of mixing and smaller polypeptides, and hydrochloric called chyme, ready for the next stage
grinding it with gastric juices, further acid, which aids digestion and kills of the digestive journey.
breaking it down. bacteria.
Small Intestine: The Absorption Champion
1 2 3

Duodenum Jejunum and Ileum Villi and Microvilli


The chyme passes from the stomach The chyme then travels through the The inner lining of the small intestine
into the duodenum, the first segment jejunum and ileum, the remaining is covered with tiny finger-like
of the small intestine, where it mixes sections of the small intestine, where projections called villi and microvilli,
with digestive juices from the the majority of nutrient absorption significantly increasing its surface
pancreas and gallbladder. occurs. area for nutrient absorption.
Large Intestine: The Final Stage
1 Water Absorption 2 Waste Processing 3 Feces Formation
The large intestine primarily It also houses beneficial bacteria As the water is absorbed, the
focuses on absorbing water from that aid in the breakdown of remaining waste material forms
the remaining chyme, solidifying it undigested food, creating essential solid feces, which are stored in the
into feces. nutrients for the body and rectum until they are eliminated
eliminating waste products. through the anus.
Liver: The Metabolic
Mastermind
Function Details

Detoxification The liver filters harmful


substances like alcohol, drugs,
and toxins from the blood,
making it a key player in
maintaining overall health.

Protein Synthesis The liver is responsible for


producing essential proteins,
including albumin, which helps
regulate blood volume, and
clotting factors, which help stop
bleeding.

Bile Production The liver produces bile, which is


stored in the gallbladder and
released into the small intestine
to aid in the digestion of fats.
Pancreas: The Digestive
Dynamo
Enzyme Production Hormone Secretion
The pancreas releases digestive The pancreas also produces
enzymes like amylase, lipase, and hormones like insulin and glucagon,
protease into the small intestine, which regulate blood sugar levels
breaking down carbohydrates, fats, and ensure a steady energy supply
and proteins, respectively. for the body.

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