How do the body absorb food?

How does the body absorb food?

1. Ingestion: Food is broken down into smaller pieces in the mouth by the teeth and tongue. The enzymes in saliva help to start the process of digestion, and the food is then swallowed.

2. Digestion: The stomach secretes hydrochloric acid, which kills harmful bacteria and begins to break down the food. The food is churned and mixed with the stomach's digestive juices, which contain enzymes that break down proteins, fats, and carbohydrates. The stomach eventually forms the food into a semi-liquid substance called chyme.

3. Absorption: The chyme moves into the small intestine, where it is further broken down by enzymes from the pancreas and bile from the liver. The small intestine is lined with tiny finger-like projections called villi, which increase the surface area for absorption of nutrients. The nutrients are absorbed into the bloodstream through the walls of the villi.

4. Excretion: The waste products from digestion are passed into the large intestine, where they are further broken down by bacteria. The water is absorbed from the waste, and the remaining solid waste (faeces) is passed out of the body through the rectum.