Before discussing chemical digestion along the digestive tract, it is better to know the parts in your digestive system first (Actually it helps, if you can memorize the figure and draw it freely).
From the following figure, it can be seen clearly that your digestive system consists of two main parts:
From the following figure, it can be seen clearly that your digestive system consists of two main parts:
- The ALIMENTARY CANAL. This is the muscular tube (consisting of the circular and longitudinal muscles) in which digestion takes place. It is about 8 metres long, running from your mouth to your anus and has several distinct parts each one fulfilling an important role in digestion.
- The ASSOCIATED ORGANS. These associated organs consist of the salivary glands, liver, gall bladder, gastric glands (in the stomach), and pancreas. No digestion takes place in these associated organs except the stomach. These organs however play a very important role in chemical digestion since they produce enzymes and chemicals which help to facilitate chemical digestion.
