Table of Contents
Mechanical Digestion
Mechanical digestion is the process of physically breaking down food into smaller pieces. This is done by chewing, crushing, and grinding the food. The mechanical digestion process starts in the mouth, where the teeth grind and crush the food. The food then passes down the esophagus and into the stomach, where it is further ground up and mixed with digestive juices.
Process of Digestion in Humans
The human digestive system is responsible for the breakdown and absorption of food and liquid. The process of digestion begins in the mouth, where food is chewed and mixed with saliva. The saliva contains enzymes that begin to break down the food. The food then moves down the esophagus and into the stomach, where it is further broken down by gastric juices. The food is then absorbed into the blood stream and carried to the rest of the body. Waste products are eliminated through the rectum and anus.
Digestive Hormones
Digestive hormones are produced by the digestive system and help in the digestion of food. The main digestive hormones are gastrin, secretin, and cholecystokinin.
Gastrin is produced by the stomach and stimulates the production of stomach acid. Secretin is produced by the pancreas and stimulates the release of bile from the liver and the secretion of pancreatic juice. Cholecystokinin is produced by the pancreas and stimulates the release of digestive enzymes from the pancreas and the gallbladder.
These hormones play an important role in the digestion of food and the absorption of nutrients. They help to break down food into smaller molecules that can be absorbed by the body. They also help to regulate the digestive process, ensuring that the digestive system works efficiently and that the correct amount of nutrients are absorbed.
