Question
Question: The stomach releases hydrochloric acid and ___________ juices which act on food....
The stomach releases hydrochloric acid and ___________ juices which act on food.
Solution
The physiology and mechanism of the process of digestion involves various mechanical and chemical steps that are carried out by different organs of the digestive system. The secretions of the digestive glands also help digest food into smaller and simpler ones that can be easily absorbed.
Complete answer:
Digestion is defined as the process in which we eat the food and it passes through our bodies. This food is used for the purposes of providing the body with energy that can be used to the various day-to-day tasks. The part of food that the body cannot digest and is of no use to the body is eliminated in the form of excrement.
- The human digestive system basically is made up of a large number of structures and organs through which food and water passes and get digested. These components are converted into utilisable form which is absorbed by the body in the bloodstream.
- The process of digestion starts with the mouth and ends in anus. The major digestive organ is the stomach. Stomach secretes gastric juices and hydrochloric acid. It helps in digestion of proteins.
- Liver is the organ which secretes bile juice in the stomach which helps in digestion of the fat.
- The largest part of the digestive tract is the large intestine. Water is absorbed in the large intestine. The remaining waste matter is stored in the large intestine.
- Maximum part of the digestion of the food takes place in the small intestine. The food stays in the small intestine for a longer time as a result of which more re-absorption of nutrients takes place.
- The small intestine secretes various digestive enzymes which helps in further digestion of food.
Thus, the stomach releases hydrochloric acid and digestive juices which act on food.
Note: The digestive system of any organism has to perform 3 important functions- digestion, re-absorption, and assimilation. The waste product which is produced during the whole process of digestion is defecated from anus via rectum.