Physiology of Digestive system Mouth is where digestion starts, chewing, breaks up large pieces into smaller particles.

Saliva is secreted by three pairs of salivary glands. It contains mucus, moistens and lubricates the food particles before swallowing. Saliva contains amylase - partially digests polysaccharides. Saliva also dissolve some of the food molecules. In dissolved state, these molecules react with chemoreceptors in the mouth giving rise to the sensation of taste.

Pharynx and esophagus provide the pathway by which ingested materials reach the stomach. Stomach a saclike organ, located between esophagus and the small intestine. Function is to store, dissolve and partially digest the macromolecules in food and to regulate the rate at which the stomach s content empty into the small intestine. Glands lining the stomach wall secrete a strong hydrochloric acid and several proteindigesting enzymes known as pepsin (pepsinogen pepsin (lumen)) Primary function of HCL is to dissolve the particulate matter in food. The acidic environment in the gastric lumen alters the ionization of polar molecules especially proteins (distrupting the extracellular network of connective-tissue proteins). Fat is not dissolved by acid. HCL also kills the bacteria (but not 100% effective) Digestive actions of the stomach reduce food particles to chyme (molecular fragments of proteins, polysaccharides, droplets of fats, salt, water). None of the food components can enter the epithelium of the stomach wall except water.

Small Intestine where digestion s final stages and most absorption occurs. Here molecules of carbohydrates, fats and proteins are broken down by hydrolytic enzymes into monosaccharides, fatty acids and amino acids. Enzymes are excreted by luminal surface of the intestinal lining cells and others are secreted by the pancreas and enter the intestinal lumen. Products of digestion are absorbed across the epithelial cells and enter the blood and/or lymph. Vitamins, minerals, and water, which do not require enzymatic digestion are also absorbed in the small intestine. Small intestine is divided into three segments: 1. Duodenum 2. Jejunum 3. Ileum. Two major glands (liver and pancreas) secrete substances that flow via ducts into the duodenum. Pancreas secretes: 1. Digestive enzymes.

2. Fluid rich in bicarbonate ions to neutralize the high acidity of the chyme so that enzymatic digestion by pancreatic enzymes can occur. The liver main function in digestive system is to secrete bile. Bile contains bicarbonate ions, cholesterol, phospholipids, bile pigments and bile salts. Bicarbonate ions neutralize acid from the stomach. Bile salts solubilize dietary fat. It is secreted by the liver into small ducts that join to form a single duct called the common hepatic duct. Between meals, secreted bile is stored in the gall-bladder. Gallbladder concentrates the organic molecules in bile by absorbing salts and water. During a meal, the smooth muscles in the gallbladder contract causing a concentrated bile solution to be injected into the duodenum via the common bile duct which is an extension of the common hepatic duct. In the small intestine, monosaccharides and amino acids are absorbed by specific transporter-mediated processes in the plasma membranes of the intestinal epithelial cells, whereas fatty acids enter these cells by diffusion. Most mineral ions are actively absorbed by transporters and water diffuses passively down osmotic gradients. The motility of the small intestine, brought about by the smooth muscles in its walls (1) mixes the the luminal contents with various secretions, (2) brings the contents into contact with the epithelial surface where absorption takes place. (3) slowly advances the luminal material toward the large intestine.

Large intestine temporarily stores the undigested material and concentrates it by absorbing salts and water. Contractions of the rectum, the final segment of the large intestine, and relaxation of associated sphincter muscles expel the feces defecation.