what are the primary functions/responsibilities of the digestive system
The primary function of the digestive system is to break down the food we eat into smaller parts so the body can use them to build and nourish cells and provide energy. The digestive system is a series of hollow organs joined in a long, twisting tube from the mouth to the anus. Inside this tube is a lining called the mucosa.
Key Points. 1  Two important functions of the digestive system are digestion and absorption. 2  The nutrients that come from food are derived from proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals. 3  Mechanical digestion starts in the mouth, with the physical processing of food by the teeth, and continues in the stomach.