What is Digestive System? and it's five functions
The digestive system comprises of the gastrointestinal tract with various glands attached to it and also known as alimentary canal. It begins at the mouth, passes through the thorax, abdomen and pelvis and ends at the anus. It has a basic structure which is modified at different levels to provide for the processes occurring at each level. The digestive processes gradually break down the foods eaten until they are in a form suitable for absorption.
Five function of Digestive system :
Ingestion :
This is the taking of food into the alimentary tract, i.e. eating and drinking.
Propulsion :
This mixes and moves the contents along the alimentary tract.
Digestion :
This consists of :
• mechanical breakdown of food by, e.g. mastication (chewing).
• chemical digestion of food into small molecules by enzymes present in secretions produced by glands and accessory organs of the digestive system.
Absorption :
This is the process by which digested food substances pass through the walls of some organs of the alimentary canal into the blood and lymph capillaries for circulation and use by body cells.
Elimination :
Food substances that have been eaten but cannot be digested and absorbed are excreted from the alimentary canal as faeces by the process of defaecation.
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| Fig: Digestive system with different organ |
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