9. Human Nutrition

balanced diet

a sufficient amount of food of a variety of different food types

alimentary canal

digestive tube that extends from the mouth to the anus

Ingestion

Intake of food

digestion

The process by which the body breaks down food into small nutrient molecules

absorption

The process by which nutrient molecules pass through the wall of the digestive system into the blood

Assimilation

once small molecules are inside the cells they are assimilated into new compounds and cells

egestion

removal of undigested waste

mouth

where digestion begins. breaks up food

Oesophagus

Tube connecting the mouth to the stomach

stomach

A muscular and elastic sac that serves mainly to store food, break it up mechanically, and begin chemical digestion of proteins and fat.

small intestine

Digestive organ where most chemical digestion and absorption of food takes place

colon (large intestine)

makes the faeces

Rectum

stores faeces

anus

where the faeces leave

Amylase

enzyme that breaks down starch

Protease

enzyme that breaks down proteins

Lipase

enzyme that breaks down fat

mechanical digestion

Physical breakdown of large pieces of food into smaller pieces without chemical change taking place

chemical digestion

Process by which enzymes break down food into small molecules that the body can use