yes we do
Do we acquire the energy located in our food when we eat it?
The eating of the food is just the first step in extracting the energy.
Since this is not my area of expertise, I searched Google under the key words "digestion" to get these possible sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digestion
http://www.kidshealth.org/kid/body/digest_noSW.html
http://www.nutristrategy.com/digestion.htm
http://www.vivo.colostate.edu/hbooks/pathphys/digestion/basics/index.html
I hope this helps a little more. Thanks for asking.
Yes, when we eat food, our bodies break down the complex molecules present in the food to release energy. This process is known as digestion.
To acquire the energy located in our food, several steps take place in our digestive system:
1. Ingestion: We take in food through our mouth.
2. Mechanical digestion: The food is mechanically broken down into smaller pieces through chewing and mixing with saliva in the mouth.
3. Chemical digestion: The food enters the stomach, where it mixes with digestive juices containing enzymes. These enzymes break down complex molecules such as proteins, carbohydrates, and fats into simpler forms that can be absorbed by the body.
4. Absorption: The digested food moves from the stomach to the small intestine, where nutrients are absorbed into the bloodstream. The energy-rich molecules, such as glucose, amino acids, and fatty acids, are transported to cells throughout the body.
5. Cellular respiration: Within the cells, the energy-rich molecules undergo a series of chemical reactions called cellular respiration. This process converts the stored energy into a usable form called ATP (adenosine triphosphate), which is the primary source of energy for cellular activities.
So, yes, we do acquire the energy located in our food when we eat it, thanks to the process of digestion and cellular respiration.