Define Digestion of food.

Digestion is the process by which food is broken down into smaller, absorbable components that can be utilized by the body for energy, growth, and repair. It begins in the mouth with mechanical digestion (chewing) and the action of enzymes like amylase that start breaking down carbohydrates. Food then travels down the esophagus to the stomach, where gastric juices containing hydrochloric acid and enzymes continue digestion.

In the small intestine, bile from the liver and enzymes from the pancreas further break down fats, proteins, and carbohydrates into simpler molecules like fatty acids, amino acids, and glucose. These nutrients are then absorbed through the intestinal lining into the bloodstream and transported to cells throughout the body.

The undigested food residue moves into the large intestine, where water and minerals are absorbed, and waste products are formed into feces for elimination. Digestion is a complex and coordinated process involving mechanical and chemical actions that prepare ingested food for absorption and utilization by the body.