What are the four major tasks of the digestive system?
Ingestion, Digestion, Absorption, Elimination.
Ingestion, Procrastination, Absorption, Face the Nation.
Congestion, Progestion, Ingestion, Elimination
The Correct Answer and Explanation is :
The correct answer is Ingestion, Digestion, Absorption, Elimination.
Here’s a breakdown of the four major tasks of the digestive system:
- Ingestion: This is the process of taking in food and liquids through the mouth. The food enters the digestive system and is mechanically broken down by the teeth and chemically by saliva. This step is the beginning of digestion and prepares food for further processing in the stomach and intestines.
- Digestion: Once food is ingested, it is broken down into smaller molecules. Digestion happens in two forms:
- Mechanical digestion: Physical breakdown of food into smaller pieces. This occurs in the mouth (chewing) and stomach (churning).
- Chemical digestion: The breakdown of food by enzymes and stomach acids. Enzymes such as amylase, lipase, and protease break down carbohydrates, fats, and proteins, respectively, into simpler molecules that can be absorbed.
- Absorption: After digestion, the small molecules (such as amino acids, fatty acids, and simple sugars) are absorbed into the bloodstream through the walls of the small intestine. The small intestine is lined with villi and microvilli that increase the surface area for nutrient absorption. Nutrients enter the bloodstream, where they are transported to various body tissues for use in metabolism.
- Elimination: The final task is the removal of indigestible substances and waste products. The remaining material, which is mostly fiber, water, and other non-absorbable substances, moves through the large intestine, where water is reabsorbed. The remaining waste is then eliminated from the body through the anus as feces.
These four processes ensure that the body can take in essential nutrients from food, process them for use in bodily functions, and get rid of waste products effectively. Proper function of all these tasks is crucial for maintaining health and energy levels.