táplálékemésztést

Táplálékemésztés refers to the complex process by which an organism breaks down food into molecules small enough to be absorbed and used by the body for energy, growth, and repair. This process begins in the mouth, where food is mechanically broken down by chewing and chemically by enzymes in saliva, such as amylase, which starts the digestion of carbohydrates.

From the mouth, food travels down the esophagus to the stomach. Here, strong muscular contractions further mix the food with gastric juices, which contain hydrochloric acid and pepsin. The acid creates an acidic environment that kills many bacteria and denatures proteins, while pepsin begins their breakdown into smaller peptides.

The partially digested food then moves into the small intestine, the primary site of digestion and absorption. Here, enzymes from the pancreas and the intestinal wall continue to break down carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. Bile, produced by the liver and stored in the gallbladder, aids in fat digestion by emulsifying them into smaller droplets, increasing the surface area for enzymes to act upon. The resulting simple molecules, such as glucose, amino acids, and fatty acids, are then absorbed through the villi and microvilli lining the small intestine into the bloodstream or lymphatic system.

Undigested material passes into the large intestine, where water and electrolytes are absorbed. The remaining waste material, known as feces, is stored in the rectum and eventually eliminated from the body through defecation. This entire digestive process ensures that the body can extract and utilize the nutrients necessary for survival and function.