Nutrition:
A method of nutrition known as holozoic nutrition involves ingesting a variety of complex organic molecules, either in the form of solids or liquids.
It is the process of acquiring food and then utilizing it for energy, growth, repair, and other metabolic functions.
Nutrition is accomplished through the use of an alimentary canal.
Human nutrition consists of the following steps: intake, digestion, absorption, assimilation, and egestion.
Digestive System in Humans:
Human digestion is an essential process that converts huge food molecules into more easily absorbed ones, producing energy for a variety of bodily functions.
Following is a description of the entire digestive process in humans:
Ingestion:
We consume food by eating it, which is the procedure known as ingestion.
The food is then swallowed after it has been sliced, torn, chewed, and slightly digested in the mouth with the help of saliva.
Digestion:
Digestion is the process through which food is broken down into tiny and then molecular pieces.
It is an essential step that simplifies the components of proteins, lipids, carbs, vitamins, and minerals so that the human cells can readily absorb them.
Proteins are broken down into amino acids, carbohydrates into simple sugars, and lipids into fatty acids and glycerol throughout this process.
The mouth cavity, stomach, and small intestine are where digestion takes place.
In mouth digestion of starch occurs.
In the stomach digestion of proteins occurs with help of digestive enzymes and hydrochloric acid.
In the small intestine further digestion of starch, proteins and carbohydrates occur.
In the large intestine not much digestion takes place.
Absorption:
The process through which the end products of digestion are absorbed into the blood or lymph from the intestinal mucosa is called absorption.
It occurs either by the passive, active or facilitated transport mechanisms in the body.
The small intestine is the organ where absorption occurs. It is specially adapted to carry out this function.
Assimilation:
Assimilation It is the process of synthesizing simple macromolecules from molecules of absorbed food.
The assimilation process helps in the growth and formation of cells, tissues, and new cells and tissues.
Excretion:
This is the last step in the process through which waste is expelled from our bodies.
When waste materials are formed during digestion and absorption, leftovers from cell use or undigested remains are now removed from the body via the urinary system as urine or the digestive system as feces.
Courtesy : Byju's