Breaking Down Food Particle Size by Physical Action Is an Important Part of the Digestive Process
The overall process of digestion is the physical and chemical breaking down of food particles and molecules into subunits suitable for absorption. Physical reduction of food particle size is important not only because it allows food to flow through the relatively narrow digestive tube, but also because it enlarges the surface area of the food particles, thus increasing the area exposed to the actions of digestive enzymes.
Physical reduction of food particle size begins with mastication (chewing) but is completed by the grinding action of the distal stomach. In the distal stomach the physical action of grinding is aided by the chemical actions of pepsin and hydrochloric acid. The chemical actions of these stomach secretions break down connective tissue and thus aid in breaking apart food particles, especially foods of animal origin. The reduction of food particle size by physical means is essentially complete when food leaves the stomach, as described in Chapter 28 in the discussion of motility of the distal stomach.
More on the topic Breaking Down Food Particle Size by Physical Action Is an Important Part of the Digestive Process:
-
Veterinarian -