What happens when food reaches the stomach ? i) The food is completely...
When food reaches the stomach, several processes take place simultaneously to break down the food into smaller particles and prepare it for absorption. Let's discuss the steps in detail.
Juices Mix with the Food:
As soon as the food enters the stomach, it mixes with gastric juices, which are secreted by the gastric glands in the stomach lining. These juices contain hydrochloric acid and enzymes such as pepsin, which help to break down proteins into smaller peptides. The acid in the gastric juice also helps to kill any harmful bacteria that may be present in the food.
Stomach Muscles Squeeze the Food:
The stomach is a muscular sac that contracts and relaxes to mix the food with the gastric juices thoroughly. The muscles in the stomach wall create a churning motion that helps to break down the food into smaller particles. This process is called mechanical digestion and helps to increase the surface area of the food, which makes it easier for the digestive enzymes to act on it.
No Digestion Occurs in the Stomach:
Contrary to the popular belief that food is completely digested in the stomach, no significant digestion occurs in the stomach. The acidic environment and the enzymes in the gastric juice break down only a small portion of the food, mainly proteins. The carbohydrates and fats present in the food remain mostly undigested in the stomach.
The Food Moves Quickly into the Small Intestine:
After the food has been mixed thoroughly with the gastric juices, it is released from the stomach into the small intestine. The small intestine is a long and narrow tube that is about 20 feet long and is the primary site of nutrient absorption. The food is further broken down into simpler molecules in the small intestine by various enzymes and is absorbed into the bloodstream through the walls of the small intestine.
In conclusion, the stomach plays a crucial role in the digestive process by mixing the food with gastric juices and breaking down the proteins. However, most of the digestion and absorption occur in the small intestine.
What happens when food reaches the stomach ? i) The food is completely...
I) The food is completely digested and is absorbed by tiny blood vessels in the walls of the stomach
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