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Digestion-Study-Guide (3)

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7 views

Digestion-Study-Guide (3)

Uploaded by

Jonard Ruloma
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Digestion

The digestive system is the body system that processes the food that the body needs to obtain
nutrients and energy.
Digestion is the process by which food is broken down into simple, soluble compounds in the
digestive tract. The food is chewed and cut into smaller pieces with the help of teeth. Digestion
involves different substances produced by other parts of the digestive system. These substances,
which are called enzymes, help further break down food into simpler particles so that the body can
absorb the nutrients from food.
The human digestive system is more complex. It is composed of the mouth cavity, esophagus,
stomach, small intestine, large intestine, rectum, anus, and accessory organs.
● The mouth cavity is the site where the food enters the body.
● The pharynx is the cavity that divides the passageway for the air and the food.
● The epiglottis is a cartilaginous flap present in the throat that keeps food from entering the airways.
● The esophagus carries the food, liquid, and saliva from the mouth into the stomach.
● The stomach stores, dilutes and digests food. The highly acidic inner wall of the stomach consists
of interfolds that increase the surface area for digestion.
● The small intestine is the main site of absorption of nutrients, water, and electrolytes.
● The large intestine is the site where the last absorption of water and vitamins occurs. It is also the
site for converting indigestible food into feces.
● The rectum is the site where waste, in the form of feces, is stored until this waste leaves the body
through the anus.
● The anus is the end of the digestive tract and an opening where feces exits
the body.
Aside from the digestive tract, other accessory organs are also present that aid in
digestion. The following are the digestive system accessory organs and their respective functions:
● Liver is the organ responsible for the production of bile. The bile is needed for lipid digestion in the
duodenum of the small intestine.
● Gall bladder is the organ that stores the bile. When needed, it regulates the secretion of the bile to
the small intestine.
● Pancreas is the organ that secretes pancreatic juices needed for breaking down proteins, fats, and
carbohydrates in food.
Mechanical Digestion
During the mechanical process, the food is broken down into small particles that are mixed with
the digestive juices. This process starts in the mouth and continues in the stomach.The mouth
serves as the entry point of food during ingestion or the act of eating food through the mouth.
i. Once the food enters the mouth, chewing or mastication happens where the food is broken down
into smaller pieces for it to be easily transported to the stomach for another series of the digestion
process.
Once the food reaches the stomach:
i. The muscles of the stomach respond by relaxation of the fundus of the stomach. This is to allow
the accommodation of the food materials from the mouth.
ii. The mixture of the food with the gastric acids in the stomach forms the semi-liquid mixture called
chyme that goes to the duodenum for chemical digestion.
iii. The muscular wall of the stomach is the one responsible for the contractions and mixing of the
food for mechanical digestion.
d. The mechanical digestion of food in the stomach is can be divided into three
processes, namely:
The mechanical digestion of food in the stomach can be divided into three processes, namely:
1. Propulsion - the process of conducting a series of a peristaltic wave from the fundus towards the
pyloric region of the stomach.
2. Grinding - while the pyloric sphincter is slightly opened, the intensive peristalsis and mixing
action happens near the pyloric region of the stomach. The pylorus serves as a strong pump that
pushes the smaller particle chyme to empty the stomach and leaves that remaining large particle for
further digestion.
3. Retropulsion - a series of a peristaltic wave that totally closes the pyloric sphincter and forces the
large particles of the chyme to go backward for another series of propulsion and grinding.

Chemical Digestion
During the chemical digestion, also known as hydrolysis, the digestive enzymes change food
particles into soluble forms that can be easily absorbed.
i. Chemical digestion happens in the mouth, stomach, and the small intestine through the action
of several enzymes present on those organs.
ii. This is also aided by the enzymes produced by the accessory organs like the pancreas and liver.

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