Human Digestive System
The human body cannot function without the digestive system. We digest food because our bodies need the nutrients, however, the food has to be broken down so our bodies can absorb it. There are many parts of the digestive system that contribute to the process of turning food into energy for our bodies. It begins with the mouth, where a piece of food is broken down using two different types of digestion: mechanical and chemical. The obvious way of making food smaller is mechanical, which is chewing it into smaller pieces. Another way is to break down food in the mouth is chemically. Amylase, an enzyme in saliva helps dissolve starch. Once the food is small enough to enter the body, the tongue creates a bolus, which is a ball of food that is pushed down the esophagus through peristalsis. Then, it reaches the stomach where more mechanical digestion is used to churn the food. Also, chemical digestion like strong acids and gastric juices dissolve the food to form chyme. A kind of enzyme called pepsin breaks down proteins. Continuing along the digestive tract, the small intestine continues chemical digestion and absorbs nutrients through the villi. The rest of the food goes to the large intestine and excess water is absorbed and becomes waste.
The glucose is used to make energy for the body to function. Glucose enters the cell through diffusion and energy is made using cellular respiration. In the mitochondria, glucose and oxygen are combined, which creates carbon dioxide, water and ATP (adenosine triphosphate). Energy is stored in a molecule called ATP, and is transferred to where it is needed in the body.
The glucose is used to make energy for the body to function. Glucose enters the cell through diffusion and energy is made using cellular respiration. In the mitochondria, glucose and oxygen are combined, which creates carbon dioxide, water and ATP (adenosine triphosphate). Energy is stored in a molecule called ATP, and is transferred to where it is needed in the body.
Tortoise Beetle Digestion
Diet
Tortoise beetles feed on sweet potatoes and foliage like morning glory and bindweed. They eat through the leaves, leaving small holes behind. Even though they feed on the plants, they aren’t considered pests because there aren’t usually enough tortoise beetles to severely damage the vegetation. However, they can cause serious defoliation if there is an infestation. [1]
Tortoise beetles feed on sweet potatoes and foliage like morning glory and bindweed. They eat through the leaves, leaving small holes behind. Even though they feed on the plants, they aren’t considered pests because there aren’t usually enough tortoise beetles to severely damage the vegetation. However, they can cause serious defoliation if there is an infestation. [1]