IMPORTANCE OF DIGESTION

Since we are heterotrophic we need to consume our food to get nutrients. Our food
gets broken down in the gastrointestinal tract, absorbed and transported by the
circulatory system.

Digestion is the breakdown of large materials into smaller components used by our
bodies.

There are 4 components to digestion:

1. ingestion
2. digestion
3. absorption
4. egestion

Digestive enzymes

Enzyme function is regulated by two factors, temperature and pH. All enzymes
have their optimal ranges for each.

Most human enzyme work best at 37 oC and drops when over heated, because the
enzyme will denature.

The diagram outlines three enzymes and their pH ranges for function. Pepsin is the
first (blue), amylase is second (grey) and trypsin is in green. This may also tell
you where each is found in the digestive tract.
Digestion in Simpler Organisms

Simplest – Protozoa, which engulf their food in a food vacuole and digest it using
enzymes from the lysosomes. The enzymes present are hydrolytic
enzymes, these enzymes use water to break down food.

Other simple organisms use a pouch, or gastrovascular cavity. This is a digestive

compartment that usually has a single opening that works as both the mouth and
the anus. The enzymes are released into the cavity to break down the food. Then
the cells lining the cavity use phagocytosis to pick up the smaller pieces and
continue digestion in the cytoplasm.
Digestion in More Complex Organisms

These organisms digest food along a digestive tract, called alimentary canals.
These tubes have a one-way flow with a mouth and an anus. As the food travels
through the tube it encounters specialized areas for the breakdown of specific
components of the food.

Examples would be an earthworm or bird. They ingest food through a mouth then
it travels through a muscular pharynx down the esophagus to the stomach or
crop. Since worms and birds do not have teeth they use a gizzard to help
mechanically breakdown food before it enters the intestine. After mechanical
breakdown of food chemical breakdown occurs. This occurs from the stomach
through the intestine. The intestine is where absorption occurs as well.