FOUNDATIONAL TERM
Digestion
消化
Mechanical processing and chemical breakdown of food.
Study this concept in context
14 · Digestion, absorption and elimination
Digestion involves movement, breakdown, membrane transport and regulation. Eating a nutrient does not mean it has already entered the blood or will be used immediately.
Sources
- OpenStax: overview of the digestive system
- OpenStax: digestive system processes and regulation
- OpenStax: accessory organs in digestion the liver pancreas and gallbladder
- OpenStax: chemical digestion and absorption a closer look
- OpenStax: the small and large intestines
- NIDDK: Symptoms & Causes of Lactose Intolerance
Definitions come from the published lessons. Read the linked lesson for mechanisms, conditions and examples.