DIGESTIVE SYSTEM

Digestion is the process by which the complex food molecules are broken down
into simpler molecules so that they can be absorbed into the blood.

During digestion, food is:

a. Mechanically broken down (smaller pieces)

b. Chemically broken down into small molecules.

c. The small molecules are absorbed into the blood stream for distribution.

Digestive system helps in the mechanical and chemical breakdown of foods and
the absorption of nutrients by cells.

Human alimentary canal

Digestion and absorption occur in the alimentary canal. It is also known as the
digestive tract or gastrointestinal tract or gut, which starts from the mouth and
ends in the anus.

Parts of the human digestive system includes

Structure Function
Mouth Ingestion & mastication
Pharynx Swallowing
Oesophagus Link pharynx to stomach
Stomach Food storage and protein digestion
Pyloric sphincter Muscle which guard entry into the small intestine.
Liver Production of bile
Pancreas Production of pancreatic juice
Small intestine
Duodenum Digestion and absorption
Ileum Completion of digestion and absorption of food
Large intestine
Colon Absorption of water
Rectum Formation and storage of faeces
Anus Egestion
Ingestion of food
Ingestion is a process by which complex food molecules are taken-into the body
through the mouth.

Mouth – begins digestion by reducing size of particles (chewing) and mixing with
saliva produced by salivary glands

There are 4 different types of teeth.

They are Incisors (4), Canines (2), Premolars (4) and Molars (6) in each jaw bone.

Incisors help in biting the food. Canine helps in tearing whereas the premolars and
molars help in grinding the food.
There are three pairs of salivary glands
1 Parotid Glands
2. Submandibular Glands
3. Sublingual Glands

Salivary glands release saliva which contains amylase to change starch to simple

sugars and mucus to moistens & speeds food movement.

A ball of food called bolus is produced by the chewing action ofthe teeth and the
mixing of saliva by the tongue. The bolus is then swallowed, i.e. travels down to
the oesophagus.

The swallowing reflex:

During swallowing, a flap of muscles called the epiglottis is forced across the top
of the trachea. This closes the opening of the trachea temporarily until the bolus
has passed down into the oesophagus.

Peristalsis:

Rhythmic wavelike contraction of the muscular walls of the gut that moves food
along the gut is called peristalsis,

Longitudinal and circular muscles in the gut wall contract alternately.

Digestion of food

It is the process where large, insoluble food substances are broken down into small
and soluble forms.

Physical breakdown
Large pieces of food are broken down into smaller pieces by processes such as
chewing and the churning of food in the stomach. This makes it possible to not
only absorb food but to increase its surface area, thus making it easier for
chemical absorption.

Chemical digestion
Chemical digestion is the process of breaking down large molecules into smaller
ones so that they can be absorbed. This is carried out by enzymes. Enzymes
function by hydrolysis. Because enzymes are specific, more than one is needed to
break down a large molecule.

 Carbohydrases break starch molecules down until they become

monosaccharides.
 Lipase breaks down lips into glycerol and fatty acids.
 Protease breaks protein down to amino acids

Region of
Secretion Source Enzyme Action
digestion
Salivary Salivary Starch to
Mouth Saliva
glands amylase maltose
Proteins to
Stomach Gastric juice Gastric glands Pepsin
polypeptides
Bile Liver - Emulsify fats
Starch to
Amylase
maltose
Proteins to
Pancreatic Trypsin
Pancreas polypeptides
juice
Fats to fatty
Lipase acids and
Small Intestine glycerol
Maltose to
Carbohydrase
glucose
Polypeptides to
Intestinal Protease
Intestinal juice amino acids
glands
Lipase Fats to fatty
acids and
glycerol

Gastric Juice:
Secreted by gastric glands.
It contains
Pepsin that converts proteins into polypeptides
 Hydrochloric acid-Provides necessary pH for enzyme action, i.e. pH of 1or 2
Stops action of salivary amylase.
Kills bacteria in food
Mucin- help as lubricant and protect the walls of the stomach from the
action of hydrochloric acid
Bile
Bile- helps in emulsification
Process by which bile salts break down fat globules into smaller droplets.

Absorption of digested food

It is the process where digested food materials are taken into the body cells.
Absorption occurs by both diffusion and active transport,

Diffusion Active Transport

Examples:
Simple sugars, amino acids diffuse
into blood capillaries of villi
Fatty acids, glycerol diffuse into
lacteal via epithelium of villi
Example:
Towards end of absorption, simple
sugars, amino acids move into blood
capillaries of villi against
concentration gradient

Region of absorption:

Regions Nutrients absorbed

Stomach Water, glucose, ethanol, vitamins &

certain drugs.

Small intestine Products of digestion - sugars, amino

(main site of absorption) acids, fatty acids & glycerol, water.

Large intestine (colon) Water and mineral salts.

Water is absorbed throughout the alimentary canal, i.e. from mouth to anus, but
most absorption occurs in the large intestine.

Adaptation of the small intestines to absorption:

 Adaptation
a) Presence of one-celled thick villi
and microvilli
b) Richly supplied with blood
capillaries and lacteal
Function
Provide large surface area
Blood flow carry away absorbed food,
thus maintaining diffusion gradient

c) Long and coiled, i.e. 65% of total Allow sufficient time for absorption
gut length

Assimilation of digested food:

It is the usage of food nutrients within body cells.
All digested products are first brought to the liver, via the hepatic portal vein
Liver regulates how much of each nutrient is in the blood. Extra molecules are
stored in the liver.

Egestion:
Egestion is the process of eliminating indigestible food waste from the organism.
After complete absorption, all that remains is the faeces. It is made up of:
a) Indigestible dietary fibers
b) Excretory products from liver, i.e. bile pigment.
c) Dead epithelial cells removed from gut lining as food is pushed along the
surface.
d) Bacteria, i.e. coliform bacteria.

Faeces move into the rectum and are expelled through anus