Intro To The Human Digestive System

by Tyler D Falls

All animals, fungi and humans are heterotrophs. A heterotroph is an organism that obtains their nutrition by breaking down organic molecules in foods. The digestive system varies depending on the type of organisms; Fungi have the simplest system and humans having the most elaborate. Like the digestive systems in all organisms, the digestive system of the human is vital for survival.

Most of the organs in the human body play a roll in the digestion of nutrients. A nutrient basically is any element or compound essential to maintain life and health. Nutrients can be split up into 2 parts; Essential nutrients and Non-essential nutrients. Essential nutrients include vitamins, minerals, amino acids, fatty acids and some carbohydrates as a source of energy. Non-essential nutrients are nutrients which the body has the ability to synthesis from other compounds, as well as, from food sources. Macro nutrients are nutrients that the body needs to acquire daily in large amounts to sustain good health, and micro nutrients are nutrients the body needs very little of and are often stored in the body; both are vital. These nutrients are found in the food we eat, this is where the body must break down and digest the food and "extract" the nutrients from it.