The Digestion Process Food Science Mrs. Dickerson

So, What is it anyway?! Digestion is the process that changes food into simpler forms that the body can absorb. It is carried out by the Digestion System.

Important Terms Absorption is the process of nutrients passing through a cell membrane. Nutrients are the materials in foods used by the body to regulate function, promote growth, repair tissue, and obtain energy.

What YOU Consume! The Average American will consume in their lifespan…. –More than 50 TONS of food! –13,000 GALLONS of fluid! THAT’S 12.5 ELEPHANTS!! ALMOST 3 15’ x 3’ SWIMMING POOLS!

If we put it in, it has to come out! All of the things that we ingest have to go through the digestion system in order to exit our body. 3 –Step digestion Process –Preparation (for digestion) –Digestion –Excretion »PDE!!! »(might not want to be kissin on this!)

Preparation Takes place in the… –Mouth Tongue and teeth prepare food by mastication. (chewing) Mastication increases surface area of solid food and mixes saliva enzymes and water with food. –Esophagus Tube that connects mouth to stomach to deliver food. –Stomach Adds stomach acid to food and churns to further increase surface area. Acid begins to break down some food components.

Digestion Takes place in the Small Intestine. –20ft. Long –Enzymes help digest food as it moves through. –Nutrients are absorbed –Microvilli, microscopic protrusions in the SI. These millions of sites absorb Nutrients.

A Closer Look

Other Innards that Help the SI! Gall Bladder –Releases bile acids –Bile acids break down fats. Pancreas –Releases pancreatic “juice” –Pancreatic juice breaks down carboydrates, fats, and proteins. –Also releases Base to neutralize stomach acid.

Digestion Cont. Water is added to the SI in Large amounts. –Helps nutrient absorption. All digestion and nutrient absorption occurs in the small intestine.

Excretion All undigested matter in the SI flows to the Large Intestine. 5ft. Long tubing

Excretion Large Intestines job is to reabsorb as much water in the undigested matter as possible before leaving the body. –It is like this elephant trying to get as much in as possible!

Why is Water so important you ask?! –Too much water taken out = Constipation! –Too little water taken out = Diarrhea!

Can you label these parts?