Physical Digestion (Cambridge International IGCSE Biology)

Spec point — 7.1.3 · Describe physical digestion as the breakdown of food into smaller pieces without chemical change to the food molecules State that physical digestion increases the surface area of food for the action of enzymes in chemical digestion

Physical digestion

• Physical digestion (sometimes referred to as mechanical digestion) is the breakdown of food into smaller pieces without chemical change to the food molecules
• The processes that take place during physical digestion help to increase the surface area of food for the action of enzymes during chemical digestion
• Physical digestion is mainly carried out by the chewing action of the teeth, the churning action of the stomach and the emulsification of fats by bile in the duodenum