DIGESTION AND ABSORPTION
Q: What is digestion?
A: Digestion is the process by which the body breaks down food into smaller, absorbable components. It
occurs in the digestive system and involves both mechanical and chemical processes. Mechanical
digestion involves physically breaking down food through chewing and churning in the stomach, while
chemical digestion involves the action of enzymes and acids to break down complex molecules into
simpler ones.
Q: What organs are involved in the digestion process?
A: Several organs are involved in the digestion process. They include:
✓ Mouth: Mechanical digestion begins with chewing, and chemical digestion starts with the action of
saliva containing enzymes like amylase, which breaks down carbohydrates.
Esophagus: This muscular tube carries food from the mouth to the stomach through a process called ✓
peristalsis.
Stomach: The stomach churns and mixes food with gastric juices containing hydrochloric acid and ✓
pepsin, which starts the breakdown of proteins.
Small intestine: The majority of digestion and absorption occur in the small intestine. The pancreas ✓
releases digestive enzymes into the small intestine, and the liver contributes bile to emulsify fats.
Liver: Produces bile, which aids in the digestion and absorption of fats.✓
