Describe the digestive process and its stages.

Explanation:

ganMajor functionsOther functions

Mouth

Ingests food

Chews and mixes food

Begins chemical breakdown of carbohydrates

Moves food into the pharynx

Begins breakdown of lipids via lingual lipase

Moistens and dissolves food, allowing you to taste it

Cleans and lubricates the teeth and oral cavity

Has some antimicrobial activity

Pharynx

Propels food from the oral cavity to the esophagus

Lubricates food and passageways

Esophagus

Propels food to the stomach

Lubricates food and passageways

Stomach

Mixes and churns food with gastric juices to form chyme

Begins chemical breakdown of proteins

Releases food into the duodenum as chyme

Absorbs some fat-soluble substances (for example, alcohol, aspirin)

Possesses antimicrobial functions

Stimulates protein-digesting enzymes

Secretes intrinsic factor required for vitamin B12 absorption in small intestine

Small intestine

Mixes chyme with digestive juices

Propels food at a rate slow enough for digestion and absorption

Absorbs breakdown products of carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids, along with vitamins, minerals, and water

Performs physical digestion via segmentation

Provides optimal medium for enzymatic activity

Accessory organs

Liver: produces bile salts, which emulsify lipids, aiding their digestion and absorption

Gallbladder: stores, concentrates, and releases bile

Pancreas: produces digestive enzymes and bicarbonate

Bicarbonate-rich pancreatic juices help neutralize acidic chyme and provide optimal environment for enzymatic activity

Large intestine

Further breaks down food residues

Absorbs most residual water, electrolytes, and vitamins produced by enteric bacteria

Propels feces toward rectum

Eliminates feces

Food residue is concentrated and temporarily stored prior to defecation

Mucus eases passage of feces through colon