In an amoeba, the process of digesting food involves engulfing the food particles through phagocytosis, where the cell membrane surrounds and forms a food vacuole. Inside the food vacuole, enzymes break down the food particles into smaller molecules that can be absorbed by the cell. The waste materials are then expelled from the cell through exocytosis. In a mouse, digestion begins in the mouth with the mechanical breakdown of food by teeth and chemical breakdown by saliva. The food then travels through the esophagus to the stomach where it is further broken down by gastric juices and enzymes before being absorbed in the small intestine. The waste is then eliminated through the colon and rectum.
