From the mouth, it goes down south.
Welcome to the physiology page! Here, we'll be going over the main processes and
functions of the digestive system.
IDAD- What does it mean?
To begin with, the four
main functions within this system are as follows: Ingestion, Digestion,
Absorption, and Defecation. The first, ingestion, is simply eating food. The
second, digestion, is the process of breaking down the food taken in the
previous step. There are two types of digestion; mechanical and chemical. The
third, absorption, also known as assimilation, is the uptake of liquids and
nutrients into the body. And finally last, defecation, is the expulsion of any
waste leftover from the process.
functions of the digestive system.
IDAD- What does it mean?
To begin with, the four
main functions within this system are as follows: Ingestion, Digestion,
Absorption, and Defecation. The first, ingestion, is simply eating food. The
second, digestion, is the process of breaking down the food taken in the
previous step. There are two types of digestion; mechanical and chemical. The
third, absorption, also known as assimilation, is the uptake of liquids and
nutrients into the body. And finally last, defecation, is the expulsion of any
waste leftover from the process.
The Process
From the mouth...
So, the process of the digestive system begins with food entering the mouth. The teeth grind the food into smaller particles, and the saliva from the salivary glands softens and further breaks it down. It also contains the enzyme ptyalin, which breaks down starches. The toungue pushes everything down your throat.
To your stomach...
The food then travels down your esophagus, a long tube that helps push the food down more, and enters the stomach. The stomach continuously churns the stuff, which can stay anywhere from 2 to 6 hours. Mixed in is stomach acids and various chemicals, such as pepsinogen, which begins the breakdown of protein. The wall of the stomach is extremely sturdy against most things digestible, but does sometimes take in things such as water, alcohol, and even certain drugs.
The lovely pancreas...
Continuing on, the pancreas produces enzymes that aid with digestion. This is also the stage where fats are broken down and starches are turned into sugars. Insulin is also produced in here. As you probably know, insulin is needed to control the body's blood sugar levels. (..Sorry to anyone who's diabetic ._.)
The awesome liver...
The liver serves several funtions. It's a filter for the blood (phagocytosis), helps the metabolism of carbs, fats, and proteins, detoxifies harmful chemicals such as alcohol, aids in glucose making, and stores vitamins. Bile is also secreted from the liver, which goes to the gallbladder. The gallbladder merely stores the bile and uses it to help in the breakdown of fats.
Small intestine...
The parts in the paragraph above (liver, gallbladder) are connected to the small intestine by the duodenum, which is the short bit that connects the stomach to the instestine. It's the main area of chemical digestion, with enzymes and pancreatic juices and villi (little hair-like things that acts as a lining) further breaking down and absorbing materials. Blood is constantly run through the small intestine in order for the body to pick up the absorbed nutrients.
And finally the large.
From the small intestine, the digested mess goes into the large intestine, where any water and trace amounts of other nutrients are absorbed. The large intestine is more commonly known nowadays as the colon, however. All the waste is then stored in the rectum, until it's time for expulsion. Which is, well, you should know what that is. Now, keep going down the page :U
So, the process of the digestive system begins with food entering the mouth. The teeth grind the food into smaller particles, and the saliva from the salivary glands softens and further breaks it down. It also contains the enzyme ptyalin, which breaks down starches. The toungue pushes everything down your throat.
To your stomach...
The food then travels down your esophagus, a long tube that helps push the food down more, and enters the stomach. The stomach continuously churns the stuff, which can stay anywhere from 2 to 6 hours. Mixed in is stomach acids and various chemicals, such as pepsinogen, which begins the breakdown of protein. The wall of the stomach is extremely sturdy against most things digestible, but does sometimes take in things such as water, alcohol, and even certain drugs.
The lovely pancreas...
Continuing on, the pancreas produces enzymes that aid with digestion. This is also the stage where fats are broken down and starches are turned into sugars. Insulin is also produced in here. As you probably know, insulin is needed to control the body's blood sugar levels. (..Sorry to anyone who's diabetic ._.)
The awesome liver...
The liver serves several funtions. It's a filter for the blood (phagocytosis), helps the metabolism of carbs, fats, and proteins, detoxifies harmful chemicals such as alcohol, aids in glucose making, and stores vitamins. Bile is also secreted from the liver, which goes to the gallbladder. The gallbladder merely stores the bile and uses it to help in the breakdown of fats.
Small intestine...
The parts in the paragraph above (liver, gallbladder) are connected to the small intestine by the duodenum, which is the short bit that connects the stomach to the instestine. It's the main area of chemical digestion, with enzymes and pancreatic juices and villi (little hair-like things that acts as a lining) further breaking down and absorbing materials. Blood is constantly run through the small intestine in order for the body to pick up the absorbed nutrients.
And finally the large.
From the small intestine, the digested mess goes into the large intestine, where any water and trace amounts of other nutrients are absorbed. The large intestine is more commonly known nowadays as the colon, however. All the waste is then stored in the rectum, until it's time for expulsion. Which is, well, you should know what that is. Now, keep going down the page :U
Video/Animation
Here's a neat little bit from McGraw Hill, animating the entirer digestive process.
It sort of beats the explanation on this page, so it is suggested you watch it ---> le click here.
It sort of beats the explanation on this page, so it is suggested you watch it ---> le click here.