The Physiology of Digestion

Human Physiology is the science of physical, mechanical, biochemical functions of humans, tissues, and human organs. The reason for physiology is the understanding of how the body functions and just knowing your body period. Some references of physiology are the digestive system, transport system, functions of the liver and the absorption of food molecules.

Starting off with the digestive system. Humans have a digestive system in order to break down the food that we consume. Sometimes the food we intake is made up of complex molecules that our bodies cannot directly receive nutrients and energy from. With the process of digestion, our bodies can break down even amounts of food. Such as glucose so that the nutrients and energy can be well extracted. Molecules that are not broken down into our bodies are then passed onto the excretory system and ejected out of our bodies.

What does the process of digestion requires? The process of chemical digestion requires ingested food as it makes it way through the alimentary canal. A lot of times most of the food that we intake are too big to be absorbed so it is converted into things like starch and glucose. When converting food, digestive secretions are set up by glands so that food can be completely intake. The salivary glands secrete saliva into the mouth. The main function of salivary glands is to manufacture saliva and help the bolus go down the esophagus easily. Salivary glands produce amylase, which is a enzyme that breaks down starch in maltose. Gastric glands are located in the inner lining of the stomach. There are many different types of gastric juices. These glands produce mucus, hydrochloric acid, and pepsinogen. The purpose of this function is to help digest and break down f...

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...ries which is the other main blood vessel. The capillaries of the liver is called sinusoids. Sinusoids are consumed by the hepatic vein which is the sole blood vessel that is taking blood away from the liver. The hepatic portal of the vein gets blood from the capillaries within the villus of the small intestine. The blood in the hepatic veins are low in pressure and full of deoxygenated blood because it has already been through the capillaries. The hepatic vein also does not has a lot of nutrients because it all depends on the timing of digestion and how the small intestine absorbs the food within the small intestine. The blood in the hepatic veins also has low blood pressure because it does not have a lot of oxygen in it. Also because nutrients are not passing through that part of the liver. The storage of nutrients are also one of the main functions of the liver.