What is chemical digestion?
Chemical digestion is the biochemical process in which macromolecules in food are changed into smaller molecules that can be absorbed into body fluids and transported to cells throughout the body. Substances in food that must be chemically digested include carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids.
Why is digestion important?
Digestion is important for breaking down food into nutrients, which the body uses for energy, growth, and cell repair. Digestion works by moving food through the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Digestion begins in the mouth with chewing and ends in the small intestine.
How does the digestive system churn food?
This muscular organ churns and mixes the food it contains, an action that breaks any solid food into still smaller pieces. Although some mechanical digestion also occurs in the intestines, it is mostly completed by the time food leaves the stomach. At that stage, food in the GI tract has been changed to the thick semi-fluid called chyme.
What stops the digestive system involving chemical digestion?
Here’s a look at some of the main stops on the digestive system involving chemical digestion: In your stomach, unique chief cells secrete digestive enzymes. One is pepsin, which breaks down proteins. Another is gastric lipase, which breaks down triglycerides. In your stomach, your body absorbs fat-soluble substances, such as aspirin and alcohol.
THEME N°1 : Manger Lappareil digestif et la digestion