B6.2 Alimentary canal Flashcards
Define ingestion
as the taking of substances, e.g. food and drink, into the body through the mouth
Define digestion
as the breakdown of large, insoluble food molecules into small, water-soluble molecules using mechanical and chemical processes
Define mechanical digestion
mechanical digestion as the breakdown of food into smaller pieces without chemical change to the food molecules
Define chemical digestion
chemical digestion as the breakdown of large, insoluble molecules into small, soluble molecules
Define absorption
absorption as the movement of digested food molecules through the wall of the intestine into the blood
Define assimilation
as the movement of digested food molecules into the cells of the body where they are used, becoming part of the cells
Define egestion
egestion as passing out of food that has not been digested, as faeces, through the anus