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7 Steps of Digestion Explained

The document outlines the 7-step mechanism of digestion, which includes ingestion, mechanical digestion, chemical digestion, propulsion, secretion, absorption, and elimination. Each step describes the processes involved in breaking down food, absorbing nutrients, and expelling waste. Key components such as enzymes and digestive organs are highlighted throughout the digestion process.

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Mayank Singh
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46 views4 pages

7 Steps of Digestion Explained

The document outlines the 7-step mechanism of digestion, which includes ingestion, mechanical digestion, chemical digestion, propulsion, secretion, absorption, and elimination. Each step describes the processes involved in breaking down food, absorbing nutrients, and expelling waste. Key components such as enzymes and digestive organs are highlighted throughout the digestion process.

Uploaded by

Mayank Singh
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

LECTURE 45

SUMMARY

MODULE 7 –LECTURE 2
7 step mechanism of digestion

DIGESTION AND GUT HEALTH


7 STEP MECHANISM OF DIGESTION
1. Ingestion
2. Mechanical Digestion
3. Chemical digestion
4. Propulsion
5. Secretion
6. Absorption
7. Elimination

1. Ingestion
This is the process of taking food into the mouth. Food is
chewed and mixed with saliva, which contains enzymes
(like amylase) that begin the breakdown of carbohydrates.

2. Mechanical Digestion
Involves physically breaking down food substances into
smaller particles to more efficiently undergo chemical
digestion.
It involves processes like chewing and churning. Chewing
breaks down the food,
increasing surface area for the enzymes to act upon it.
Churning in the stomach mixes food with gastric juices.
3. Chemical digestion

In the stomach and small intestine, digestive enzymes break


down complex molecules of carbohydrates, proteins, and
fats into smaller molecules. For example, proteins are broken
down into amino acids, fats into fatty acids and glycerol, and
carbohydrates into simple sugars like glucose.

Salivary amylase present in the mouth starts digesting


carbohydrates in the mouth itself.
Pepsin Enzyme in the stomach starts to breakdown
protein.
Pancreatic Enzymes in the small intestine like trypsin,
chymotrypsin, lipase and pancreatic amylase)
Bile Juice present in the liver continues to breakdown
proteins, carbs and fats together but specifically
responsible for fat emulsification
4. Propulsion

Voluntary process of chewing, once chewed and mixed with


saliva, the food is formed into a small, rounded mass called a
bolus. It is then swallowed and moves down the esophagus
towards the stomach through a process called peristalsis,
which involves wave-like muscular contractions.
5. Secretion

It is a process that involves the regulated release of


intracellular products from cells.

All the types of secretions like bile juice from the liver,
pancreatic juice, salivary amylase
etc are included in this process

6. Absorption
After digestion in the small intestine, nutrients (such as
amino acids, glucose, fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals)
are absorbed through the walls of the small intestine into
the bloodstream. The inner surface of the small intestine
is covered in villi and microvilli, which increase the
surface area for absorption.

7. Elimination

Any remaining indigestible material (such as fiber and


some waste products) passes into the large intestine
(colon), where water and salts are absorbed. The waste
material becomes more solid as water is removed, forming
feces.
Feces are stored in the rectum until they are eliminated
from the body through the anus during defecation.

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