Tag: assimilation of food and egestion

Vitamins are organic substances that help our bodies to function properly. Being a general source of energy supply these are crucial for the activities carried out by the cells and organs as well as the functioning of the body's immune systems. The human body goes through the process of bio-assimilation, which is actually the combination of two processes that help supply the cells with nutrients. The absorption of vitamins like minerals takes place in the gastrointestinal tract where it is broken down by enzymes and through the physical process of mastication. There is no chemical alteration of the substance. 

Egestion is the process of removing undigested food material from the digestive tract. Excretion refers to the removal of metabolic waste products.

1. Assimilation means the absorption and digestion of food or nutrients by the body or any biological system. 
2. Assimilation of fats results in the formation of the end products of digestion of fats ie fatty acids and glycerols.
3. These are absorbed and taken into the lacteal and later the lymphatic system and then they are transferred to the liver. 
4. Fatty acid and glycerol can be used to form fats which are stored in the body’s fat deposits e.g. under the skin in the adipose tissue. Hence, the fatty acid and glycerol are transported from intestine mainly through the lymphatic system.

Food is first taken in from the mouth that is ingested. The food is converted to simple form i.e digestion and then it is absorbed by blood i.e absorption. The nutrients in the blood are taken to the cell for metabolic action i.e assimilation and then undigested food is thrown out of the body through anus that is egestion.

One molecule of glucose (C6H12O6) produces 6 molecules of CO2. In the citric acid cycle, 2 CO2 are produced per acetyl-CoA, and 2 acetyl-CoA are produced per glucose, totaling 4 CO2 from the cycle. The remaining 2 CO2 come from the pyruvate dehydrogenase reaction.

The first intestinal discharge from newborns is meconium, which is a viscous, dark-green substance composed of intestinal epithelial cells, lanugo, mucus, and intestinal secretions (eg, bile). Intestinal secretions, mucosal cells, and solid elements of swallowed amniotic fluid are the 3 major solid constituents of meconium. Water is the major liquid constituent, comprising 85-95% of meconium. Meconium is sterile and does not contain bacteria.

 Food  passes from the stomach and then into the small intestine through the duodenum and remaining undigested to the large intestine

Food is broken down in the digestive tract until it passes all the way through the small and large intestine and is stored in the rectum as the stool. The body has a system for sending a signal when the rectum is full and needs to be emptied

1. Diarrhea is the condition of having at least three loose or liquid bowel movements each day. It often lasts for a few days and can result in dehydration due to fluid loss.
2.  Signs of dehydration often begin with loss of the normal stretchiness of the skin and irritable behavior. This can progress to decreased urination, loss of skin color, a fast heart rate and a decrease in responsiveness as it becomes more severe. 
3. These infections are often acquired from food or water that has been contaminated by feces, or directly from another person who is infected. Hence, the mode of infection of diarrhea is food.