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What process that breaks down complex molecules of food into smaller particles is called what?
Wiki User
∙ 10y ago
The digestive system prepares nutrients for utilization by body cells through six activities, or functions.
Ingestion
The first activity of the digestive system is to take in food through the mouth. This process, called ingestion, has to take place before anything else can happen.
Mechanical digestion
The large pieces of food that are ingested have to be broken into smaller particles that can be acted upon by various enzymes. This is mechanical digestion, which begins in the mouth with chewing or mastication and continues with churning and mixing actions in the stomach.
Chemical digestion
The complex molecules of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats are transformed by chemical digestion into smaller molecules that can be absorbed and utilized by the cells. Chemical digestion, through a process called hydrolysis, uses water and digestive enzymes to break down the complex molecules. Digestive enzymes speed up the hydrolysis process, which is otherwise very slow.
Movements
After ingestion and mastication, the food particles move from the mouth into the pharynx, then into the esophagus. This movement is deglutition, or swallowing. Mixing movements occur in the stomach as a result of smooth muscle contraction. These repetitive contractions usually occur in small segments of the GI tract and mix the food particles with enzymes and other fluids. The movements that propel the food particles through the GI tract are called peristalsis. These are rhythmic waves of contractions that move the food particles through the various regions in which mechanical and chemical digestion takes place.
Absorption
The simple molecules that result from chemical digestion pass through cell membranes of the lining in the small intestine into the blood or lymph capillaries. This process is called absorption.
Elimination
The food molecules that cannot be digested or absorbed need to be eliminated from the body. The removal of indigestible wastes through the anus, in the form of feces, is defecation or elimination.
Kaylah Ward
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Is a cell or a molecule smaller?
Molecules are smaller. Sub atomic particles are even smaller
What is the process of breaking larger molecules into smaller molecules called?
The process of breaking down complex food material and converting it into simple organic form is called digestion.
What process break down large molecules into smaller molecules?
Hydrolysis
A general process which breaks down large molecules into smaller ones?
The process that breaks up molecules into smaller units is called catabolism. Large molecules, such as nucleic acids, are broken down into smaller molecules, such as amino acids.
What process tears grinds and mashes large food particles into smaller ones?
Mechanical digestion tears, grinds, and mashes large food particles into smaller ones.
What process breaks down the complex molecules of food into smaller molecules?
Digestion.
What is the process of breaking down complex food molecules into simpler food molecules?
Catabolism is the process in which a complex substance is broken down into its smaller components. For example is you excersice for a sufficient amount of time, your body will begin "burining fat" (i.e., breaking it down into smaller molecules to release the necessary energy required for continued exercise).
Is a cell or a molecule smaller?
Molecules are smaller. Sub atomic particles are even smaller
What is the process of breaking larger molecules into smaller molecules called?
The process of breaking down complex food material and converting it into simple organic form is called digestion.
A colliod has smaller particles than a solution?
No, a solution has much smaller particles than a colloid. In a solution the particles are individual atoms, molecules, or ions.
What describes starches fats proteins and DNA?
They are complex molecules made from smaller molecules.
What are microscopic particles of matter that are smaller than molecules?
particle
What are microscope particles of matter that are smaller than molecules?
particle
What is the process in which a substance breaks up into smaller particles as it dissolves?
You question makes no sense. If particles dissolve they go into solution, they do not "break apart and scatter".
The breakdown of large complex molecules into smaller simpler ones are?
Catabolism is the breakdown of larger, more complex molecules into smaller, simpler ones.Energy is released and some is trapped and made available for work.
What process break down large molecules into smaller molecules?
Hydrolysis
Large complex molecules are subdivied chemicaly into smaller compents by what?
Enzymes.
