DIGESTION AND ABSORPTION

         The food (i.e., organic nutrients viz. carbohydrates, proteins and fats) are essentially required for the production of energy. The complete oxidation of food produces energy in the form of ATP (Adenosine Tri Phosphate) utilized for various functions. Bu, naturally, organic nutrients are present in the form of high molecular weight, complex and large-sized organic compounds. Therefore, in order to utilize them, they have to be broken down into low molecular weight, simple and small-sized molecules. This process in physiology is known as digestion. Teeth help in physical digestion whereas enzymes carry out chemical digestion. Digestion is carried out by various kinds of enzymes and acids (see table B.6.3).