Why must foods be digested before they can enter a cell?

Digestion is necessary before food can enter a cell because most food molecules are too large to pass through the cell membrane. The process of digestion breaks down large food molecules into smaller molecules, which can then be absorbed by cells.

There are two main types of digestion: mechanical digestion and chemical digestion. Mechanical digestion breaks down food physically, by breaking it into smaller pieces. Chemical digestion breaks down food chemically, by breaking down the bonds between atoms in food molecules.

Mechanical digestion begins in the mouth, where teeth break down food into smaller pieces. It continues in the stomach, where the food is churned and mixed with gastric juices. The gastric juices contain hydrochloric acid and enzymes that begin to break down proteins.

Chemical digestion begins in the stomach and continues in the small intestine. In the small intestine, the food is mixed with bile from the liver and enzymes from the pancreas. The bile helps to break down fats, and the enzymes break down carbohydrates and proteins.

The products of digestion are absorbed by the cells of the small intestine. The absorbed nutrients are then transported throughout the body by the bloodstream.

Digestion is an essential process that enables the body to use the nutrients in food. Without digestion, the body would not be able to get the energy and nutrients it needs to function properly.