Study Notes
Digestion involves breaking down food into smaller, absorbable components through mechanical and chemical processes.
- Ingestion — Taking substances into the body through the mouth. Example: Eating an apple.
- Mechanical Digestion — Breakdown of food into smaller pieces without chemical change. Example: Chewing food in the mouth.
- Chemical Digestion — Breakdown of large, insoluble molecules into small, soluble molecules. Example: Salivary amylase breaking down starch into maltose.
- Absorption — Movement of digested food molecules into the blood system. Example: Nutrients absorbed in the small intestine.
- Egestion — Passing out of undigested food as feces. Example: Defecation.
Exam Tips
Key Definitions to Remember
- Ingestion
- Mechanical Digestion
- Chemical Digestion
- Absorption
- Egestion
Common Confusions
- Mixing up mechanical and chemical digestion
- Confusing absorption with assimilation
Typical Exam Questions
- What is the role of bile in digestion? Bile emulsifies fats to increase surface area for enzyme action.
- Where does absorption primarily occur? In the small intestine.
- What is the function of amylase? Amylase breaks down starch into maltose.
What Examiners Usually Test
- Understanding of the digestive process and enzyme functions
- Differences between mechanical and chemical digestion
- Structure and function of the small intestine in absorption