THE EXAMS POINTThe journey of food
Begin at the centre. Explore a branch, explain its connection, then test your recall. Tap any branch heading to fold or expand it.
In recall mode, focus or tap a branch to reveal its explanation. Numbered branches follow a simplified process; read them in order.
The journey of food
01 · Mouth
Ingestion, chewing and salivary amylase begin starch digestion.
02 · Oesophagus
Peristaltic movement transfers the swallowed bolus.
03 · Stomach
Acidic conditions support pepsin activity and protein digestion.
04 · Small intestine
Bile and pancreatic/intestinal enzymes support digestion; most nutrient absorption occurs here.
05 · Large intestine
Further water and electrolyte absorption and formation of faeces.
06 · Rectum → anus
Storage followed by egestion.
Connect the branches
Digestion breaks food down; absorption transfers products across the gut wall; assimilation uses absorbed nutrients in cells.
Avoid the exam trap
Bile emulsifies fat but contains no digestive enzyme. Egestion is not metabolic excretion.
Test yourself: Does absorbed fat always enter blood capillaries directly?
No. Many long-chain lipid products are packaged into chylomicrons and enter intestinal lacteals before reaching the blood.
A concise revision aid with simplified connections. It supports the full chapter and primary references; it does not replace them.