What are the 3 functions of the digestive system?

Digestion has two phases: mechanical digestion and chemical digestion. Digestion is the process by which food is broken down into smaller chemicals that the body uses as nutrients.

-Mechanical Digestion: the process by which food physically breaks down into smaller pieces; it begins with teeth-chowing and continues with food being churned in the stomach and intestines. The liver's bile aids in the mechanical breakdown of fats.

The term "chemical digestion" refers to the process by which food is broken down into smaller molecules that the body can use. This process starts in the mouth when salivary amylase in saliva breaks down complex carbohydrates into simple carbohydrates. The process is then continued by the stomach's acid and enzymes, but the majority of the digestion occurs in the small intestine, where the pancreas secretes a substance called pancreatic juice into the duodenum, which is the first and shortest part of the small intestine.

Absorption: The large intestine absorbs as much water as possible for the body to use from the food (now called chyme). Too much water absorption can lead to constipation, while too little water absorption can lead to diarrhea.

Elimination: The excretion of waste is the last step in the digestive system. The anal sphincter holds on to the stool until it is ready to be pushed out, at which point it is pushed through the anus and, presumably, the toilet. Any material that the body cannot use will eventually be expelled from it as poop.

This Khan Academy video, which I believe to be one of their best, will undoubtedly be able to walk you through every step of the digestive system if you need one!

I hope I was of assistance.

The three primary functions of the digestive system are:

1. Digestion: Breaking down food into smaller components, both mechanically and chemically.
2. Absorption: Taking up nutrients from digested food into the bloodstream.
3. Elimination: Removing indigestible substances from the body as waste.