UNIT-1
About Human Body
The human body is made of body systems; groups of organs that work together to produce and
sustain life. Digestive system , respiratory system, circulatory system, Nervous system,
Reproductive system are few important body systems.
Levels of structural organization
Cells -> Tissues -> Organs -> Organ System -> Organismal level
Human anatomy and physiology is the study of the body's systems and structures and how
they interact. Anatomy focuses on the physical arrangement of parts in the body, while
physiology studies the inner functioning of cells, tissues, and organs.
The Digestive System
The digestive system of the human body convert food into energy for the body. It breaks
down food and assimilates nutrients into the body, which the body then uses for growth and
cell repair. Anatomically, the digestive system is made up of the gastrointestinal tract,
along with accessory organs such as the liver, pancreas and gallbladder. The digestive
tract of humans starts with the mouth and ends with the anus. It includes different structures
such as the mouth, oesophagus, pancreas, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, liver, gall
bladder, and anus.
Why is digestion important?
Digestion is important because body needs nutrients from food and drink to work properly
and stay healthy. Proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins and water are nutrients. Digestive
system breaks nutrients into parts small enough for body to absorb and use for energy,
growth, and cell repair.
Digestion and absorption are the two main functions of the digestive system.
Functions
1. Ingestion – Taking in food and drink through the mouth.
2. Propulsion – Moving food through the digestive tract by:
3. Swallowing (voluntary)
4. Peristalsis (involuntary, wave-like muscle contractions).
5. Mechanical digestion – Physically breaking food into smaller pieces (chewing in the
mouth, churning in the stomach).
6. Chemical digestion – Breaking down complex food molecules into simpler forms using
enzymes and acids.
7. Absorption – Transporting digested nutrients (carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins,
minerals, and water) into the blood or lymph.
8. Defecation (Elimination) – Removing indigestible substances and waste products as
feces.
Digestion is necessary for breaking down food particles into nutrients that are used by the
body as an energy source, cell repair and growth.
Food and drink need to be converted into smaller molecules of nutrients before it is absorbed
by the blood and carried to the cells throughout the body. The body breaks the nutrients
present in the drinks and food into carbohydrates, vitamins, fats and proteins.
Diagram Of The Human Digestive System
The diagram given below represents different parts of the human digestive system that
convert food into essential nutrients absorbed by the body.
How digestive system work?
The digestive system works like body’s food-processing factory. Its job is to break down
food into small, usable nutrients that body can absorb and use for energy, growth, and repair.
Here’s a step-by-step outline of how it works:
1. Mouth (Ingestion & Mechanical Breakdown)
• Food enters through the mouth.
• Teeth chew food into smaller pieces (mechanical digestion).
• Saliva, produced by salivary glands, mixes with food. It contains enzymes (like
amylase) that start breaking down starch into sugar (chemical digestion).
• The tongue helps push the food into the throat.
2. Pharynx & Oesophagus (Swallowing)
• Swallowed food passes through the pharynx.
• Then it moves down the oesophagus with the help of peristalsis (wave-like muscle
contractions).
3. Stomach (Churning & Protein Digestion)
• The stomach stores food and mixes it with gastric juices (acid + enzymes).
• The acid (HCl) kills bacteria and activates enzymes like pepsin, which break down
proteins.
• Food becomes a semi-liquid mixture called chyme.
4. Small Intestine (Main Digestion & Absorption)
• Chyme enters the small intestine.
• Liver produces bile (stored in the gallbladder), which helps digest fats.
• Pancreas releases enzymes to break down proteins, carbohydrates, and fats.
• The small intestine’s lining (covered with tiny finger-like villi) absorbs nutrients into
the blood.
5. Large Intestine (Water Absorption)
• Undigested food moves into the large intestine.
• Water and minerals are absorbed.
• Helpful bacteria break down some leftover materials and produce vitamins (like
vitamin K).
6. Rectum & Anus (Elimination)
• Waste (feces) is stored in the rectum.
• It is eventually expelled from the body through the anus.
In short:
• Mouth: Chews & mixes food with saliva
• Stomach: Breaks down food with acid & enzymes
• Small intestine: Main site of digestion & nutrient absorption
• Large intestine: Absorbs water & forms waste
• Rectum/Anus: Removes waste