Biology Notes for IGCSE 2014
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    • All Notes
    • 01 Classification
    • 02 Cells
    • 03 Enzymes
    • 04 Plant Nutrition
    • 05 Animal Nutrition
    • 06 Plant transport
    • 07 Human transport
    • 08 Respiration
    • 09 Coordination
    • 10 Excretion
    • 11 Homeostasis
    • 12 Reproduction
    • 13 Inheritance
    • 14 Ecosystem
  • Classification
    • Summary
    • Characteristics of Living organisms
    • Classification of Living organisms
    • Kingdoms of Living organisms
    • Animal Kingdom >
      • Classification
      • Phylum Vetebrates
      • Phylum Arthropods
      • Annelids, Nematodes, Molluscs
    • Plant Kingdom
    • Virus
    • Bacteria Kingdom
    • Fungi Kingdom
    • Dichotomous keys
  • Cells
    • Summary
    • Structure
    • Functions
    • Tissues, Organs, Systems
    • Diffusion
    • Osmosis
    • Active transport
  • Enzymes
    • Summary
    • Enzymes and reactions
    • 'Lock and Key' model
    • Role in germinating seeds
    • Use in biological washing powders
    • Use in the food industry
    • Use of microorganisms and fermenter to manufacture enzymes
    • Use of microorganisms to manufacture antibiotic penicillin
  • Nutrition
    • Animal >
      • Summary
      • 1 >
        • Main nutrients: carbohydrates, fats and proteins
        • Food tests >
          • Food test 1 - Starch test
          • Food test 2 - Benedict's test for Reducing Sugars
          • Food test 3 - Emulsion (ethanol) test for Fats
          • Food test 4 - Biuret test for Proteins
        • Other Nutrients: Vitamins, Minerals, Fiber and Water
        • Using yeast to make bread and beer
        • Using microorganism in making yoghurt and single cell protein
        • Food additives - uses, benefits and health hazards
        • Use of modern technology for increasing food production
      • 2 >
        • Problems of world food supplies and the causes of famine
        • Diet
        • Human alimentary canal
        • Human teeth and dental decay
        • Adding fluoride to public water supplies
        • Mechanical and chemical digestion
        • Absorption – function of the small intestine and significance of villi
        • Assimilation and role of the liver
    • Plant >
      • Summary
      • The equation for photosynthesis
      • Photosynthesis investigations - Principles and Starch test
      • Effect of Light intensity on the rate of Photosynthesis
      • Effect of Temperature on the Rate of Photosynthesis
      • Effect of Carbon Dioxide on the Rate of Photosynthesis
      • Limiting factors in photosynthesis
      • Optimum conditions for photosynthesis in Green house
      • Leaf structure
      • Plant's mineral requirements and fertilisers
  • Transport
    • Plant >
      • Summary
      • Functions of xylem and phloem
      • Distribution of Xylem and Phloem in roots, stems and leaves
      • Root hairs and water uptake by plants
      • Passage of water through root, stem and leaf
      • Transpiration in plants and factors affecting tranpiration rate
      • Adaptations of the leaf, stem and root to different environments
      • Translocation of organic foods in plants
      • Translocation of applied chemicals throughout the plant
      • Transport of materials from sources to sinks at different seasons
    • Human >
      • Summary
      • 1 >
        • The circulatory system
        • Structure and function of the heart
        • Effect of exercise on heartbeat and causes of a coronary heart disease
        • Arteries, veins and capillaries - structure and functions
        • Blood composition and Plasma
        • Blood cells - structure and functions
      • 2 >
        • Blood clotting
        • Immune system - antibody, tissue rejection
        • Functions of lymphatic system
        • Respiration
        • Aerobic and anaerobic respiration
        • Gaseous exchange
  • Respiration
    • Summary
    • Definition
    • Aerobic, anaerobic
    • Gaseous exchange
    • Inspired, expired air
    • Tobacco smoke
  • Reproduction
    • Summary
    • Types
    • Plant >
      • Pollination
      • Flower structure
      • Formation of seed
      • Seed dispersal
      • Self-pollination, cross-pollination
      • Growth and development
    • Human >
      • Reproductive system
      • Menstrual cycle
      • Fertilisation
      • Fetus development
      • Birth
      • Sex hormones
      • Birth control
      • Artificial insemination
      • HIV/AIDS
      • Gonorrhoea
      • Breast feeding
  • Coordination
    • Coordination >
      • Summary
      • Hormones, adrenaline
      • Hormones in food production
      • Human nervous system
      • Simple reflex arc
      • Effectors, biceps and triceps
      • Voluntary, involuntary actions
      • The eye, rods and cones
      • Accommodation
      • Tropism in plants
      • Auxins
    • Homeostasis >
      • Summary
      • Homeostasis
      • Blood glucose
      • Negative feedback
      • Kidney structure
      • Kidney function
      • Formation of urea
      • Dialysis
      • Drugs
  • Inheritance
    • Summary
    • Key definitions
    • Chromosomes, DNA
    • Mitosis and Meiosis
    • Monohybrid cross
    • Codominance
    • Continuous, discontinous
    • Mutation, radiation
    • Sickle cell anaemia
    • Selection
    • Antibiotic-resistance bacteria
    • Genetic engineering
  • Ecosystem
    • Summary
    • Human & ecosystem >
      • Human influences
      • Deforestation
      • Water pollution
      • Air pollution
      • Greenhouse gases
      • Pesticides, nuclear fallout
      • Conservation, recycling sewage
    • Energy flow
    • Food chain
    • Food web
    • Food pyramids
    • Energy efficiency
    • Carbon & water cycles
    • Nitrogen cycle
    • Combustion of fossil fuels
    • Population size

 # 55  Mechanical and chemical  digestion 

Food that we ingest is mainly made up of large, insoluble molecules that can not be absorbed through the gut wall. It needs to be changed into small, soluble molecules.
Picture
Mechanical digestion is the physical process of preparing the food for chemical digestion.

  • It involves chewing (in the mouth), mixing, churning (in the stomach and intestine) and segmentation (in the intestine).
  • Large pieces of food are breaking down into smaller pieces à increases the surface area of the food.
  • Bile physically digests fats by emulsifying them – turning them into small droplets with a large surface area.

Chewing

Mechanical digestion, performed bye the teeth à pieces of food are mixed with saliva and become smaller à easier to swallow and have a larger surface area.
Peristalsis

  • The walls of the alimentary canal have an inner, circular muscle fibre coat and an outer, longitudinal muscle fibre coat.
  • As the ball of food (bolus) formed in the mouth enters the pharynx, a reflex action is initiated.
  • This produces slow, wave-like contractions in the walls of the esophagus and later along the whole length of the tract (peristalsis).
  • Peristaltic waves involve the contraction of the circular muscle fibres behind the bolus (A) and their relaxation in front of the bolus.
  • Longitudinal muscles provide the wave-like action. The two functions together push the ball down the tract (B).
Picture
Picture
Misconceptions: Chewing food does not involve breaking down large molecules into small molecules; it only breaks down large pieces into smaller pieces, giving a larger surface area for enzymes to work on.

Video Peristalsis



Chemical digestion 

  • Involves breaking down large, insoluble molecules into small, soluble ones.
  • Enzymes speed up the process. They work efficiently at body temperature (370 C) and at suitable pH.
  • The main places where chemical digestion happens are the mouth, stomach and small intestine.
Picture


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