Digestive System Function
Overview
Our digestive system is responsible for in-taking and digesting the food that we consume and extracting what we need to carry out day-to-day actions. If you’re interested in how this is achieved, then this article should serve you well in ascertaining that knowledge.
Part 1: Digestive System Function
1. Mouth
The first part of the digestive system, or tract, is the mouth. The mouth provides an important role in the consumption of food at is the primary entry point. The mouth also chews the food which breaks it up into small, more easily digestible pieces. The saliva present within your mouth mixes with the food to start the process of digestion.
2. Esophagus
The esophagus is the gateway for food from …show more content…
Stomach
When the chewed food has passed from the mouth the esophagus, it reaches the stomach where enzymes peruse the process of breaking down the food into usable substances and forms. The braking down is achieved through stomach acid which is released from the cell lining of the stomach, along with powerful enzymes which help to further break down the food.
4. Small Intestine
The contents from the stomach reach the small intestine once they have been sufficiently processed. The small intestine is a long muscular tube that releases enzymes to further break down the molecules. There are three sections to the small intestine, the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum. The continuous break-down process is mainly achieved in the duodenum, while the jejunum and ileum provide the bloodstream with nutrients. Once the content has passed through the lower intestine, it has transformed from a semi-solid state to liquid form due to the break-down process and the enzymes released.
5. The Colon, Rectum, and Anus
The colon, rectum, and anus provide an important digestive system function. These are known as the lower GI tract, and are solely responsible for producing and excreting solid waste from food that has been …show more content…
Accessory Digestive Organs
Although named accessory digestive organs, each organ listed below is important to efficient digestive system function.
Pancreas – Creates the enzymes that are released into the small intestine (duodenum) which break down carbohydrates, fats, and proteins.
Liver – Processes the blood to remove any waste and impurities, and secretes bile, which aids with digestion in the small intestine, as well as carry waste from the liver that is unable to be processed by the kidneys.
Gallbladder – The bile that is made in the liver is not always required by the small intestine, the gallbladder stores excess bile until it is needed for digestion.
Part 2: Where Do Digested Food Molecules Go?
Most digested food molecules are absorbed in the small intestine and into the bloodstream which then carries the useful molecules around the body to perform various functions. Simple sugars, glycerol, amino acids, and some vitamins are transported around the body and to the liver via the bloodstream. A network of vessels known as the lymphatic system absorbs fatty acids and carry them, along with lymph and white blood cells, throughout the
Overview
Our digestive system is responsible for in-taking and digesting the food that we consume and extracting what we need to carry out day-to-day actions. If you’re interested in how this is achieved, then this article should serve you well in ascertaining that knowledge.
Part 1: Digestive System Function
1. Mouth
The first part of the digestive system, or tract, is the mouth. The mouth provides an important role in the consumption of food at is the primary entry point. The mouth also chews the food which breaks it up into small, more easily digestible pieces. The saliva present within your mouth mixes with the food to start the process of digestion.
2. Esophagus
The esophagus is the gateway for food from …show more content…
Stomach
When the chewed food has passed from the mouth the esophagus, it reaches the stomach where enzymes peruse the process of breaking down the food into usable substances and forms. The braking down is achieved through stomach acid which is released from the cell lining of the stomach, along with powerful enzymes which help to further break down the food.
4. Small Intestine
The contents from the stomach reach the small intestine once they have been sufficiently processed. The small intestine is a long muscular tube that releases enzymes to further break down the molecules. There are three sections to the small intestine, the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum. The continuous break-down process is mainly achieved in the duodenum, while the jejunum and ileum provide the bloodstream with nutrients. Once the content has passed through the lower intestine, it has transformed from a semi-solid state to liquid form due to the break-down process and the enzymes released.
5. The Colon, Rectum, and Anus
The colon, rectum, and anus provide an important digestive system function. These are known as the lower GI tract, and are solely responsible for producing and excreting solid waste from food that has been …show more content…
Accessory Digestive Organs
Although named accessory digestive organs, each organ listed below is important to efficient digestive system function.
Pancreas – Creates the enzymes that are released into the small intestine (duodenum) which break down carbohydrates, fats, and proteins.
Liver – Processes the blood to remove any waste and impurities, and secretes bile, which aids with digestion in the small intestine, as well as carry waste from the liver that is unable to be processed by the kidneys.
Gallbladder – The bile that is made in the liver is not always required by the small intestine, the gallbladder stores excess bile until it is needed for digestion.
Part 2: Where Do Digested Food Molecules Go?
Most digested food molecules are absorbed in the small intestine and into the bloodstream which then carries the useful molecules around the body to perform various functions. Simple sugars, glycerol, amino acids, and some vitamins are transported around the body and to the liver via the bloodstream. A network of vessels known as the lymphatic system absorbs fatty acids and carry them, along with lymph and white blood cells, throughout the