BLG 143 Study Guide - Sodium Bicarbonate, Duodenum, Bile Acid
Document Summary
Differentiate between physical and chemical digestion and state the function of. Physical digestion is where the food is physically broken down into smaller pieces, such as in the mouth. This is done to increase surface area, and also because substances have to move across a cell"s membrane to get inside of it. The substance must be small enough to pass through the membrane, and also be in solution. Physical digestion serves to break down food into smaller pieces and also mix it with gastric juices so the food can be in solution. This thick liquid is called chyme chemical digestion is when the food is chemically broken down into smaller molecules by the aid of acids and enzymes for the absorption of nutrients. It serves to break complex molecules in the food into smaller ones so that they can pass through cell membranes, where they are used as needed.
