Digestion
Digestion Video
The Gastro Intestinal Tract
The gastro intestinal tract, also known as the GI tract, is where the digestion of food takes place. It begins in the mouth, proceeds through the oesophagus to the stomach, then through the small and large intestines and finally to the rectum. This entire tract measures around eight meters in length.
The process of Digestion
Digestion is the process whereby food is broken down into smaller chemical units that may be used by the body.
Absorption of Nutrients
Most nutrients are absorbed in the small intestine. The villi that line the small intestine have a large surface area to allow the tiny units of each nutrient to pass through into either the blood stream or the lymphatic system.
Carbohydrates are broken down into simple units of sugar called glucose. Protein breaks down into amino acids and globules of lipids break down into fatty acids and glycerol. Everything is absorbed into the blood stream, except lipids. These pass through the lympatic system. When each tiny component of each nutrient passes into the blood stream, they can be carried around the body to the cells that require them.
Metabolism
People digest and absorb food at different rates. The rate at which food is absorbed and digested is known as metabolism. Metabolism refers to the speed that food is broken down and absorbed by the body. Every person has a different rate of metabolism. It can be affected by factors such as age, height, activity level, and genetics. Each person must then eat food according to how quickly they digest and absorb it. Have you ever heard anybody complain about a slow metabolism?
The Gastro Intestinal Tract
The gastro intestinal tract, also known as the GI tract, is where the digestion of food takes place. It begins in the mouth, proceeds through the oesophagus to the stomach, then through the small and large intestines and finally to the rectum. This entire tract measures around eight meters in length.
The process of Digestion
Digestion is the process whereby food is broken down into smaller chemical units that may be used by the body.
Absorption of Nutrients
Most nutrients are absorbed in the small intestine. The villi that line the small intestine have a large surface area to allow the tiny units of each nutrient to pass through into either the blood stream or the lymphatic system.
Carbohydrates are broken down into simple units of sugar called glucose. Protein breaks down into amino acids and globules of lipids break down into fatty acids and glycerol. Everything is absorbed into the blood stream, except lipids. These pass through the lympatic system. When each tiny component of each nutrient passes into the blood stream, they can be carried around the body to the cells that require them.
Metabolism
People digest and absorb food at different rates. The rate at which food is absorbed and digested is known as metabolism. Metabolism refers to the speed that food is broken down and absorbed by the body. Every person has a different rate of metabolism. It can be affected by factors such as age, height, activity level, and genetics. Each person must then eat food according to how quickly they digest and absorb it. Have you ever heard anybody complain about a slow metabolism?
Task
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