Digestion, absorption and egestion
Two idlis and sambar. What does the body do with the meal?
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The idea
The body breaks the meal down. Then the simple parts enter the blood.
Food has big parts: carbohydrate, protein and fat. Big parts cannot pass into the blood. So the body must break them into simple forms first. This happens in a long tube called the alimentary canal. It runs from the mouth to the anus. The anus is where waste leaves.
| Step | What happens |
|---|---|
| Digestion | Big food parts break into simple forms |
| Absorption | Simple food passes into the blood |
| Egestion | Undigested food leaves the body |
Step 1 of 4
- A meal is eaten.
- Digestion: big parts break into simple forms.
- Absorption: simple food passes into the blood.
- Egestion: undigested food leaves.
Digestion breaks food into simple forms. Absorption moves them into the blood. Egestion removes what is left.