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How the food changes consistency and form
The alimentary canal is aptly designed to convert complex food into simpler forms. Not only does this conversion break down food, but it also helps extract nutrients efficiently from all the food that is consumed.
The chewing of food called mastication mechanically shears and breaks the large food chunks into smaller pieces. It then mixes with saliva to make it into a semi-solid paste called “bolus” that is easy to swallow. Salivary amylase marks chemical digestion of food by acting on starch. Water hydrates and dissolves much of the food and the mucus lubricates the food for swallowing.
As food moves down the esophagus it reaches the stomach where the churning action continues to further shear the bolus to even smaller particle size. The acids and enzymes produced in the stomach chemically act on food to convert the bolus to a form that’s more fluid like called chyme.
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How the body was able to absorb the nutrients from the foods we eat
The body is able to absorb nutrients by using the muscles of the small intestine to mix food with digestive juices from the pancreas, liver, and intestine and push the mixture forward to help with further digestion. The walls of the small intestine absorb the digested nutrients into the bloodstream. The blood delivers the nutrients to the rest of the body.
References:
Douglas, M. J. C. (n.d.). By clicking on this link (http://openstaxcollege.org/l/fooddigestion) , you can watch a short video of what happens to the food you eat as it passes from your mouth to your intestine. Along the way, note how the food changes consistency and form. How does this change in consistency facilitate your gaining nutrients from food? | bartleby. https://www.bartleby.com/solution-answer/chapter-23-problem-1ilq-anatomy-and-physiology-1st-edition/9781938168130/by-clicking-on-this-link-httpopenstaxcollegeorglfooddigestion-you-can-watch-a-short-video/cad5bd3e-0e4c-11e9-9bb5-0ece094302b6
The Digestive System and How It Works. (n.d.). https://www.niddk.nih.gov/-/media/Files/Digestive-Diseases/Digestive_System_508.pdf