Question

Our food intake may contain many pathogens. They are controlled by our digestive system. How?

Answer 1

When the food is ingested, it is subjected to salivary amylase that allows food to be masticated and breakdown starch. However, upon swallowing, the food reaches the stomach where it is subjected to HCl. The acid helps in the breakdown of pathogens. Later, after the food is digested and absorbed, it goes to the liver via the hepatic portal vein. There the kupffer cells would perform phagocytosis. Therefore, the digestive system acts as innate barrier to the pathogens.