Digestion is the breakdown of food into smaller components that can be more easily absorbed by the body. Digestion is important for breaking down food into nutrients, which the body can use for energy, growth, and cell repair. There are two kinds of digestion: mechanical digestion, which is the physical breakdown of large pieces of food into smaller pieces that can be absorbed by digestive enzymes, and chemical digestion, in which enzymes break down food into small molecules that the body can use.
Did you know that there is an entire digestive system? It is made up of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, along with the liver, pancreas, and gallbladder. Are you familiar with the complex process in which food moves through the GI tract? If not, these flashcards will teach you everything you need to know about digestion!