Digestion

Absorption
& Elimination of food

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Organization of the Body

Carbohydrates, proteins,
fats, and vitamins are
usually very large
molecules.
The goals of digestion:
break these large
molecules down
into smaller
molecules
absorb the smaller
molecules into the
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What Happens to the Food We Eat?

The food we eat undergoes three processes:
1. digestion
2. absorption
3. elimination
These processes occur in the gastrointestinal tract.

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The gastrointestinal tract

The main sites in the body used for digestion and
absorption of nutrients.
The digestive tract consists of:
Mouth
Esophagus
Stomach
Small intestine
Large intestine
Rectum
Anus
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Digestion

Digestion: Mouth to the stomach through

the esophagus.
the process of breaking large food
molecules down into smaller
molecules
begins in the mouth to progress
through the successive parts of the
gastrointestinal tract.

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Digestion
Digestion begins in the mouth.
Chewing is the mechanical
digestion that breaks food into
smaller pieces.
Some chemical digestion takes
place; Saliva contains amylase an
enzyme produced by the salivary
glands.
Mouth
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Digestion
Food travels from the mouth to the
stomach through the esophagus.
Peristalsis is the muscular contractions
moving food through the GI tract.
Digestion in the stomach includes:
mechanical digestion mixing food with
gastric juice to produce chyme

chemical digestion of proteins and fats

Stomach
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Saliva contains amylase an enzyme

produced by the salivary glands.

Digestion
Fig. 2.7

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Digestion
Mechanical digestion continues in the
small intestine by mixing and moving
the food along the length of the
digestive tube
Chemical digestion is completed by
specific enzymes from both the
pancreas, the intestine and the bile
Small intestine

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Digestion
Accessory organs of the GI
tract include:
liver produces bile,
which emulsifies fats
gallbladder stores bile
Pancreas
produces many
digestive enzymes
produces hormones
(insulin)
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Digestion
Fig. 2.9

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Absorption
Absorption: the process of taking digestion products
across a cell membrane and into cells of the body
Most absorption of nutrients occurs in the small
intestine.
The lining of the GI tract has special structures to
facilitate absorption.
The brush border is composed of microvilli, which
greatly increase the surface area.

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Absorption
The nutrient / products of digestion are absorbed by villi
lining the small intestine.
The nutrients are picked up by blood and lymph and
carried to all parts of the body.

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Elimination
Undigested food components reach the large intestine.
In the large intestine:
intestinal bacteria complete digestion
material is stored 1224 hours prior to elimination
water and some nutrients are absorbed

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Disorders Related to Digestion

Heartburn is caused by
hydrochloric acid (HCL) in the
esophagus.
GERD, or gastroesophageal
reflux disease, is painful,
persistent heartburn.
Peptic ulcers are regions of the
GI tract that have been eroded
by HCl and pepsin caused
mainly by the bacterium
Helicobacter pylori.
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Disorders Related to Digestion

Food intolerance is a group of GI
symptoms associated with eating
a particular food. Symptoms
may include gas, pain, diarrhea.
(Ex: Lactose intolerance)
Food allergies: a response of the
immune system caused by a
particular food. They can be
quite severe and require
immediate medical attention.
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Disorders Related to Digestion

Diarrhea:
can be caused by infection of the GI tract, food
intolerances, stress
can lead to severe dehydration and is more
dangerous for infants and young children.
Constipation:
can be caused by the disruption of a persons
schedule, a change in diet, or certain medications.
may be treated by increasing fluid and fiber
consumption.
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Disorders Related to Digestion

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a disorder that
interferes with normal colon function.
Symptoms include abdominal cramps and bloating
and either diarrhea or constipation
IBS is more common in women
Celiac disease is an immune system response to eating
gluten, a protein found in wheat, rye, and barley.
Treatment involves
a gluten-free diet.

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