The physical and chemical process by which food is
broken down into smaller, soluble molecules that can be
absorbed into the bloodstream
Physical digestion
The mechanical action of teeth,
jaw and muscle movement
Mouth
Mastication
Chewing using teeth and jaw movement
Muscle
Peristalsis
Oesophagus
Small intestine
Contractions in
stomach wall
Other
Small intestine
Bile emulsifying fat
Breakdown of large food
molecules into smaller
molecules
Increases surface area
Increases efficiency of chemical digestion
Chemical digestion
Action of enzymes and gastric juices
Mouth
Amylase enzyme
Stomach
Gastric fluids
Small intestine
Pancreatic juice
Enzymes
Complex proteins
folded into specific
shapes
Have an active site
Only fits a specific substrate
Helps break down large food molecules into
smaller, soluble molecules that can be absorbed
into the bloodstream by catalysing chemical
reactions in the digestive system
Mouth
Stomach
Lined with gastric pits
Produces gastric fluids
Hydrochloric acid (HCl)
Acidic (pH 1-2)
Mucus
Protects stomach lining from corrosive
nature of the HCl
Pepsin
A protease
Catalyses the breakdown of proteins into polypeptides