Human Physiology Basics Practice Test: Digestion and Absorption — Flashcards

Digestion and Absorption topics include: Buccal cavity, alimentary canal, nutrition Types and its process, stomach, human digestive glands, liver, pancreas and digestive disorders.

Digestion is the process of breaking down food into smaller particles. Absorption is the process of moving these particles from the gastrointestinal tract into the body. 

Digestion occurs in the digestive tract. The digestive system breaks down food into its simplest forms, such as glucose, amino acids, and fatty acids. These broken-down foods are then absorbed into the bloodstream from the small intestine. The nutrients are then carried to each cell in the body. 
The main nutrients absorbed from food are carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids. The gastrointestinal (GI) tract also absorbs water, minerals, and vitamins. 

Digestion and absorption occur in the following steps:
Digestion: Food is broken down into molecules.
Absorption: The products of digestion are moved across the GI tract walls and into circulation.
Elimination: Undigested food and waste products are removed from the body.