Biology

Common problems include indigestion, heartburn, constipation, diarrhea, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). These can be caused by a variety of factors, including diet, stress, and underlying medical conditions.

The large intestine absorbs water and salts from the material that has not been digested as food, and is thus crucial for maintaining the body's fluid balance. It also serves as a storage place for waste before it is excreted from the body.

The small intestine is crucial for digestion and absorption. It is where most of the nutrients from ingested food are absorbed into the bloodstream. It utilizes enzymes secreted by the pancreas and bile from the liver to digest food completely.

The stomach mixes food with gastric juices, turning it into a semi-liquid substance called chyme. It also uses its muscular walls to physically break down food and uses enzymes and acids to perform chemical digestion.

The digestive process involves several steps: ingestion (eating), propulsion (moving food through the digestive system), mechanical digestion (breaking down food into smaller pieces), chemical digestion (breaking down food into simple molecules), absorption (taking nutrients into the bloodstream), and excretion (eliminating waste).

The human digestive system is primarily responsible for breaking down food into nutrients, which the body uses for energy, growth, and cell repair. It also plays a critical role in the excretion of waste products.