Digestion

Definition

Digestion is the biological process of breaking down food into smaller, absorbable components. It involves both mechanical and chemical processes to convert food into nutrients the body can utilize.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Digestion starts in the mouth with mechanical breakdown by chewing and chemical breakdown by enzymes in saliva.
2. The stomach uses acidic gastric juices to further break down food particles.
3. The small intestine is the primary site for nutrient absorption, facilitated by enzymes from the pancreas and bile from the liver.
4. Peristalsis, a series of muscle contractions, moves food through the digestive tract.
5. The large intestine absorbs water and forms feces from indigestible remains.

Review Questions

• What role does peristalsis play in digestion?
• Where does nutrient absorption primarily occur in the digestive system?
• How do gastric juices aid in digestion?

Related terms

Peristalsis:

A series of wave-like muscle contractions that move food through the digestive tract.

Enzymes:

Biological molecules that speed up chemical reactions, including those that break down nutrients during digestion.

Bile:

A digestive fluid produced by the liver and stored in the gallbladder that helps break down fats in the small intestine.