Question

What digests food in the Human body?

Answer 1

Digestion: The process by which consumed food is broken down into its smaller components that can be easily absorbed into the bloodstream and utilized by the body is called digestion.

1. The process of digestion begins in the buccal cavity, where food is mixed with saliva and pushed down into the stomach through the food pipe.
2. The food passes through a peristalsis movement throughout the gut until it is excreted out of the body.
3. It passes from the stomach where it has gastric juice that consists of Hydrochloric acid (HCl) which makes an acid environment in the stomach that helps proteins and carbohydrates to digest the food easily.
4. The acidic gastric juice also kills the harmful pathogens that enter through food. The stomach is lined by a mucus membrane that protects the action of HCl
5. The food passes through the intestines, where it gets mixed with digestive juices.
6. The pancreas makes a digestive juice that has enzymes that break down carbohydrates, fats, and proteins.
7. The nutrients are absorbed and the undigested materials are expelled through the anus.