Chemical and mechanical digestion are two essential processes in the digestive system that work together to break down food. Here are the main differences between them:
Mechanical Digestion:
- Process: Involves the physical breakdown of food into smaller pieces. This includes actions such as chewing (mastication) in the mouth and the churning of food in the stomach.
- Purpose: Increases the surface area of food, making it easier for enzymes to act on it during chemical digestion.
- Organs Involved: Mouth (teeth and tongue), stomach (muscular contractions), and parts of the intestines (peristalsis).
Chemical Digestion:
- Process: Involves the biochemical breakdown of food substances into simpler molecules through the action of enzymes and other digestive fluids.
- Purpose: Converts complex food molecules into smaller, absorbable units such as amino acids, fatty acids, and simple sugars.
- Organs Involved: The primary organs involved specifically in chemical digestion include:
- Salivary Glands: Produce saliva that contains enzymes like amylase to begin the breakdown of carbohydrates in the mouth.
- Stomach: Secretes gastric juices, including hydrochloric acid and pepsin, which help to digest proteins.
- Pancreas: Produces digestive enzymes (such as lipase, amylase, and proteases) that are released into the small intestine to further digest carbohydrates, proteins, and fats.
- Liver: Produces bile, which is stored in the gallbladder and released into the small intestine. Bile helps emulsify fats, aiding in their digestion, but does not directly break them down.
- Small Intestine: The primary site for chemical digestion, where enzymes from the pancreas and bile act on food.
In summary, the organs involved only in the chemical digestion of food are the salivary glands, stomach, pancreas, liver, and small intestine.
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