Describe and explain how the mammalian digestive system is adapted for the digestion and absorption of the food that they ingest?

Mammalian Digestion and Absorption: Dec 2002

In mammals the digestive system comprises of six major sites which are the oral cavity, pharynx, oesophagus, stomach, small intestine, and the colon(large intestine). Digestion involves the mechanical, chemical, and physical breakdown of large solid food particles into smaller manageable ones, and also large complex molecules into smaller more simple ones. The small simple molecules such as glucose can be absorbed in one of four ways, active transport, diffusion, facilitated diffusion, and through osmotic potential.

Digestion begins in the oral cavity where the teeth and tongue physically breakdown the food into smaller parts which increases the surface area of the food. The salivary glands secrete saliva a mixture of mucous and amylases to act on carbohydrate molecules and also to soften and lubricate the food making it easier to swallow. The salivary glands are stimulated by the presence of smell of food. When the food is finally swallowed the pharynx is met.

The pharynx is a chamber which is a junction for the trachea and oesophagus. When food is about to be passed ...