Digestion is the breakdown of large insoluble food molecules into small water-soluble food molecules so that they can be absorbed into the watery blood plasma. In certain organisms, these smaller substances are absorbed through the small intestine into the blood stream. Digestion is a form of catabolism that is often divided into two processes based on how food is broken down: mechanical and chemical digestion. The term mechanical digestion refers to the physical breakdown of large pieces of food into smaller pieces which can subsequently be accessed by digestive enzymes. In chemical digestion, enzymes break down food into the small molecules the body can use. COUNT 5
QSN1 What is digestion? ANS1 the breakdown of large insoluble food molecules into small water-soluble food molecules so that they can be absorbed into the watery blood plasma QSN2 In some organisms, how are these molecules absorbed? ANS2 these smaller substances are absorbed through the small intestine into the blood stream QSN3 What are the two ways that food is broken down? ANS3 mechanical and chemical digestion QSN4 What is mechanical digestion? ANS4 the physical breakdown of large pieces of food into smaller pieces which can subsequently be accessed by digestive enzymes QSN5 What is chemical digestion? ANS5 enzymes break down food into the small molecules the body can use