Digestion is a process in which relatively large, insoluble biological molecules in food (such as starch, proteins) are hydrolysed into smaller, soluble molecules that can be absorbed across the cell membranes into the bloodstream and delivered to cells in the body
Enzymes are essential for the process of digestion as they catalyse the hydrolysis
These small soluble molecules (such as glucose and amino acids) are used either to provide cells with energy (via respiration) or to build other molecules for cell growth, repair and function
Proteins are hydrolysed into amino acids
Carbohydrates are hydrolysed into simple sugars
Lipids are hydrolysed into a mixture of glycerol and fatty acids
Human Digestive System
The human digestive system includes the following:
Glands - the salivary glands and glands in the pancreas produce digestive juices
The stomach and small intestine - the sites of digestion