In 3-5 sentences, explain the role of the digestive system in animals, as well as how the system work.

The digestive system in animals is responsible for breaking down food into smaller molecules that can be absorbed into the bloodstream and used for energy, growth, and repair. It consists of organs such as the mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, and large intestine. The process begins with ingestion, where food is taken in through the mouth and broken down into smaller pieces by teeth and saliva. Then, it moves to the stomach where it is further broken down by stomach acids and digestive enzymes. Next, in the small intestine, nutrients from the food are absorbed into the bloodstream. Finally, the waste passes through the large intestine where water and electrolytes are absorbed, and the leftover waste is eliminated from the body.