B6.2 Alimentary canal

Question 1

Define ingestion

Answer 1

as the taking of substances, e.g. food and drink, into the body through the mouth

Question 2

Define digestion

Answer 2

as the breakdown of large, insoluble food molecules into small, water-soluble molecules using mechanical and chemical processes

Question 3

Define mechanical digestion

Answer 3

mechanical digestion as the breakdown of food into smaller pieces without chemical change to the food molecules

Question 4

Define chemical digestion

Answer 4

chemical digestion as the breakdown of large, insoluble molecules into small, soluble molecules

Question 5

Define absorption

Answer 5

absorption as the movement of digested food molecules through the wall of the intestine into the blood

Question 6

Define assimilation

Answer 6

as the movement of digested food molecules into the cells of the body where they are used, becoming part of the cells

Question 7

Define egestion

Answer 7

egestion as passing out of food that has not been digested, as faeces, through the anus