Digestion in Oral Cavity
Digestion of Carbohydrates: The digestion of carbohydrates begins to digest minute the food hits the mouth. The saliva secreted by the salivary glands dampens food as it’s chewed. Saliva releases an enzyme known as amylase, which initiates the process of breakdown of the sugars in the carbohydrates being eaten.
Digestion of Lipids: The digestion of lipids starts in the oral cavity through exposure to lingual lipases, which are secreted by glands present in the tongue to initiate the process of digesting triglycerides. Digestion proceeds in the stomach through the effects of both lingual and gastric enzymes.
Action of Saliva: In the oral cavity, the food is mixed with saliva which is slightly acidic (pH 6.8). It contains electrolytes (Na+, K+, Cl–, HCO3–) and enzymes salivary amylase (ptyalin) and lysozyme. About 30 percent of starch is hydrolyzed in the oral cavity.
The enzyme present in saliva i.e. Lysozyme acts as an antibacterial enzyme.
Digestion Of Food
Food is a substance taken from outside that nourishes the body, builds tissues, and supplies energy. Essential components of our food are mainly carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. Vitamins and minerals are also needed in small quantities. Water plays a crucial role in metabolic processes and also prohibits dehydration of the body. Our body cannot utilize biomolecules in food in their original form hence they have to be converted into simple substances in the digestive system.
Digestion is known as the process of conversion of complex food substances into simple absorbable forms. The digestive system carries out the latter through mechanical and biochemical methods. Absorption is the process by which nutrients pass from the alimentary canal into blood and lymph through its mucosa. The absorbed food materials are carried by blood and lymph. The lymph is finally moved to the blood circulation. The blood transports absorbed food materials to different tissues where food materials are utilized for various activities like energy, growth, and repair. This process is called assimilation.
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