N3 Anatomy and Physiology (1st Sem AY 2022-2023)

1. How the food changes consistency and form
By undergoing the different functions of the organs in our digestive system, the food that we eat changes consistency and form. First, when the food enters the mouth the tongue aids in moving the food for mastication, shapes food into a bolus, and starts the digestion of triglycerides. The salivary glands soften, moisten, and dissolve food. Our teeth cut food into smaller pieces. Next, the bolus will then move to the pharynx and the esophagus. In the stomach, through hydrolysis and churning of bolus, chyme will be formed. Chyme will then move to the small intestine. In the small intestine, digestion of carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids will be completed; this is also the start of absorption—absorbing 90% of digested nutrients. The large intestine will absorb ions, water, etc., eventually forming chyme into feces.

2. How the body was able to absorb the nutrients from the foods we eat.
The absorption of nutrients from the food that we eat starts in the small intestine. The circular folds, villi, and microvilli aid in the absorption of almost 90% of nutrients. The other 10% of the absorption happens in the large intestine. In the large intestine, water, ions, and other vitamins are absorbed.