DIGESTION AND ABSORPTION OF FOOD

Ingestion is taking food into the mouth (eating).

Digestion is the process of breaking down complex food substances into small molecules
mainly by enzyme action.
Mastication is the process that increases the surface area of food to be exposed to enzymes
for digestion.

Types of Digestion
Mechanical digestion involves physical breakdown by crushing the teeth, or churning by
muscles.
Chemical digestion involves breaking up the chemicals, assisted by enzymes.
Mastication- The process that increases the surface area of food to be exposed to enzymes for
digestion.
Different types of teeth and their functions
Incisors- Incisors are the teeth that you use to bite into your food.
Canines- used for tearing apart food.
Molars- to grind, tear, and crush food.
Premolars- Premolars are used for tearing and crushing food.

Structure of a tooth and its function

Crown- Surface for biting and crushing food
Neck- in gum for support.
Root- In bone socket, holds tooth.
Enamel - Covers crown, very hard surface prevents wear.
Dentine- Bulk of tooth, similar to bone
Pulp cavity- nerves and blood vessels, supply nutrients and sensitivity
Cement- lines root, holds tooth in place
Periodontal membrane- Provides support with flexibility
Root Opening- Small passage for nerves and blood capillaries
 Cause of tooth decay
When you consume food and drink high in carbohydrates, particularly sugary foods and
drinks, the bacteria in plaque turn the carbohydrates into energy they need, producing acid at
the same time. The acid can break down the surface of your tooth, causing holes known
as cavities.
Ways of preventing tooth decay
 Regular dental visits.
 Proper brushing with toothpaste after meals and at night.
 Reduce sugar in diet
 Use dental floss
 Eat foods with calcium, phosphorus and vitamins C and D for growth
Enzymes
Enzymes are chemicals (proteins) made by cells, which speed up the rate of chemical
reaction.
Properties of Enzymes
 Enzymes work best at certain pH.
 Enzymes work best at certain temperature.
 Enzymes are inactivated at high temperatures and are destroyed by boiling.
 Enzymes usually work on only one substrate.
 Enzymes break down large quantities of substrate.
 Enzymes are not chemically changed at the end of the reaction
 Enzymes are sensitive to poisons.
Alimentary Canal
The alimentary canal is a muscular tube, which extends from the mouth to the anus. The
human digestive system comprises mouth, pharynx, oesophagus, stomach, small intestine,
large intestine, and anus.

Structure and Function of Villi

Villus and micro villi- Very large surface area for absorption
Lacteal- absorbs fatty acids and glycerol
Blood capillaries- absorb glucose and amino acids
Epithelium- allows diffusion and some active transport of digested food.
Mucus cells- for food passage
Muscular wall- for peristalsis
 End products of digestion
The carbohydrates get broken into simple sugars such as glucose, fats into fatty acids
and glycerol, and proteins into amino acids.
Absorption- It is the passage of digested food, salts, vitamins and water through the walls of
the gut into the transport system

Functions of the liver

 Fat metabolism
 Production of bile
 Destruction of red blood cells
 Storage of vitamins
 Storage of heat

Functions of parts of the digestive system

Mouth- food is ingested, tongue detects different tastes
Salivary glands- secrete saliva containing enzymes and mucus
Oesophogas- Carries food from mouth to stomach
Stomach- Muscular wall churns food and secretes gastric juice
Liver- Produces bile
Gall Bladder- stores bile
Bile duct- carries bile to duodenum
Pyloric sphincter- muscle controlling exit of food from stomach
Pancreas- Makes pancreatic juice used with digestive enzymes
Pancreatic duct- Carries pancreatic juice to duodenum
Duodenum- Secretes intestinal juice with digestive enzymes
Ileum- Absorbs digested material through the epithelial wall
Caecum- Absorption of some water
Appendix- no function in humans
Colon- Absorption of water and salts
Rectum- Store’s faeces
Anus- Faeces are egested
Assimilation- is the building up of products in to compounds in the body.
Egestion- is the elimination of undigested food in faeces.
Constipation- the inability to pass faeces. Is caused by lack of roughage.
Diarrhea- is the continual defecation of faeces usually in a liquid form. Can be cause by food
poisoning.
Gastroenteritis- is inflammation of the intestines. Can be caused by pathogens.