Science behind Digestion

Digestion is the process of breakdown of food into simple, soluble molecules that can be absorbed by the blood to obtain nutrition. It might sound simple, but the process behind it is quite interesting.

Step 1 : The saliva contains an enzyme called the Salivary Amylase which breaks down starch into simple sugars. The ugly, saliva rich food in the mouth is called Bolus. 

Step 2 : The Bolus travels the food pipe and enters the stomach via the cardiac sphincter. In the stomach, the food reacts with hydrochloric acid to eliminate any bacteria. 

Step 3 : The Food then reacts with pepsin, an enzyme that breaks down proteins into amino acids.

Step 4 : The food exits the stomach (via pyloric sphincter) and enters the small intestine. The liver and pancreas secrete enzymes and juices into the small intestine to continue the process of digestion.

Step 5 : The partially digested food material reacts with bile secretions from the liver to break down fats into fatty acids and glycerol. It then reacts with pancreatic juice which further breaks down proteins.

Step 6 : All the broken down food molecules get absorbed by the walls of the small intestine to enter the blood stream so that they can be absorbed by the watery blood plasma. 

Step 7 : The digested food material moves into the large intestine where all the water is absorbed and the digested material exits the body.

HOW LONG DO YOU THINK THIS PROCESS TAKES TO COMPLETE ? COMMENT BELOW.

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