Digestion process in non-ruminants

1. Mouth: The digestion process begins in the mouth, where food is broken down into smaller pieces by the teeth and mixed with saliva. Saliva contains an enzyme called amylase, which begins to break down carbohydrates (such as starch) into smaller molecules.

2. Esophagus: The chewed food is then swallowed and travels down the esophagus, a muscular tube that connects the mouth to the stomach. The esophagus contracts to move the food along.

3. Stomach: In the stomach, the food is mixed with stomach acid and digestive enzymes that break down proteins and other nutrients. The stomach also contracts to help break down the food further. The stomach’s acid is highly acidic (pH 1-3), which helps to kill bacteria and viruses that might be in the food. The stomach also releases a hormone called gastrin, which triggers the release of more stomach acid and enzymes.

4. Small intestine: From the stomach, the partially digested food enters the small intestine, a long, narrow tube where most of the nutrients are absorbed into the bloodstream. The small intestine is lined with tiny finger-like projections called villi, which increase the surface area and help to absorb nutrients more efficiently. Enzymes from the pancreas and bile from the liver are also added to the small intestine to help break down the food further. The small intestine is divided into three parts: the duodenum, the jejunum, and the ileum.

5. Large intestine: The remaining waste material (mostly undigested food, fiber, and water) passes into the large intestine, which is wider and shorter than the small intestine. The large intestine’s primary function is to absorb water and electrolytes (such as sodium and potassium) from the waste material, turning it into a solid form called feces. The large intestine is divided into four parts: the cecum, the colon, the rectum, and the anus.

6. Anus: The feces are eliminated from the body through the anus, the opening at the end of the digestive tract. The process of elimination is called defecation.

Overall, the digestion process in non-ruminants is a complex series of events that involves multiple organs and enzymes working together to break down food into smaller molecules that can be absorbed and used by the body.