B9 Digestion

Digestion refers to the breaking down of large insoluble molecules of food into small soluble ones, which can then be passed through the wall of the gut into the blood. This can be separated into either mechanical digestion or chemical digestion. Digestion starts in the mouth following ingestion, and continues along the alimentary canal through the stomach and intestines as well. Mechanical digestion, i.e. Carried out by teeth as they break and tear food into smaller pieces. Chemical digestion, i.e. Done by the stomach and small intestines with enzymes.

The small soluble molecules are absorbed into the bloodstream in the intestines, and can then be used by cells for assimilation. There are four main types of teeth in the mouth, each used for different functions while eating: Incisors Biting and tearing food Canine Biting and tearing food Pre-molars Chewing and grinding food Molars Chewing and grinding food Tooth decay is caused by an acid that comes from the waste product from the many bacteria within the mouth as they digest sugars. The bacteria can also form organized colonies, referred to as dental plaque, which not only provide a home for oral bacteria but also act as a medium that holds the acid they produce directly against a tooths surface. However, this can be prevented by the washing action of saliva which dilutes it, and fluoride can also reduce the chances of tooth decay.

Enzymes
Enzymes are protein substances which act as a biological catalyst that speeds of the rate of reaction without being changed itself. Carbohydrase Enzymes which break down carbohydrates like starch into glucose. Lipase Enzymes which break down fats and oils into fatty acids and glycerol. Protease Enzymes which break down proteins into amino acids. Enzymes are very sensitive to their surroundings and the rate of an enzyme reaction can be affected easily by temperature and pH. When they are more reactive, it is known as their optimum range. At lower temperatures an enzyme become inactive, however, at higher or more extreme conditions an enzyme loses its shape and so stops working. It becomes denatured. Enzymes are also often used in industrial processes and products. For example in biological detergents, stains like sweats, grease, grass stains, and blood can be broken down by use of enzymes or in the making of alcohol since yeast uses an enzyme, zymase, to convert sugar into carbon dioxide and ethanol. They are widely popular in industry because they work best at lower temperatures, easily controlled, and are biodegradable.

Alimentary Canal
Digestion begins in the mouth, following ingestion. When you chew food it is grounded into pulp and mixed with saliva which lubricates the food and digests starch with carbohydrase. It is then moved along the alimentary canal by peristalsis which refers to the series contraction and relaxation of muscles that push the bolus along. The muscles behind the bolus contracts, whilst the ones in front relax, so the bolus gets pushed along. Digestion then continues in the stomach and intestines. The stomach mixes gastric juice and acid made in the stomach wall. Gastric juice contains protease enzymes and the acid kills germs in food and helps the enzyme work. Bile from the liver breaks up oil droplets into an emulsion and neutralizes stomach acid for the pancreatic and intestinal enzymes. Pancreatic juice from the pancreas contains protease, amylase, and lipase to digests the food. Intestinal juice from the intestine contains the enzymes which complete digestion, including more protease, amylase, and lipase. Following this the digested food is then absorbed as amino acids, glucose, and fatty acids and glycerol into the blood stream. However, indigestible food, such as fibre, is passed into the colon where water is absorbed from it becoming a nearly solid waste called faeces. Faeces are then stored in the rectum and pass out of the body through the anus during egestion.

Absorption
Absorption occurs in the small intestines because it has a high surface area which results from: Being very long Folded Villi The villi are made to increase the rate surface area of absorption; they also speed up absorption as they are only one cell thick and contain a rich supply of blood supply. The absorbed products are then taken in the hepatic portal vein to the liver which acts as a food store, chemical factory, and a central heating system.