• Digestion is a process in which relatively?large, insoluble biological molecules?in food (such as starch, proteins)?are hydrolysed?into?smaller, soluble molecules?that can be?absorbed across the cell membranes?into the bloodstream and delivered to cells in the body
• Enzymes?are essential for the process of digestion as they catalyse the hydrolysis
• These small soluble molecules (such as glucose and amino acids) are used either to?provide cells with energy?(via respiration) or to?build other molecules?for?cell growth, repair and function
• Proteins?are hydrolysed into amino acids
• Carbohydrates?are hydrolysed into simple sugars
• Lipids?are hydrolysed into a mixture of glycerol and fatty acids

Human Digestive System

• The human digestive system includes the following:
  • Glands?- the salivary glands and glands in the pancreas produce digestive juices
  • The?stomach?and?small intestine?- the sites of digestion
  • The?liver?- produces bile
  • Small intestine?- the site of absorption
  • Large intestine?- site of water reabsorption

   

Digestive System Table

The human digestive system