Introduction
Food is the primary source of energy, which ensures living beings can continue their everyday activity uninterruptedly. Also, the nutrients derived through food ensure that all bodily functions operate smoothly and effectively.
Though the purpose of food is similar for every organism, the process of intake varies from one species to another. This also includes different types of food habits which also vary over different species and the type of living being under question.
Read along to find more about the process of animals eating food.
What is Ingestion?
In simple words, it is the process of taking food or drink in. It is the consumption of food or drinks into the digestive system.
There are two mechanical aspects associated with ingesting food, namely – chewing and swallowing. Nonetheless, due to the differences in the anatomy of different organisms, the mechanism of ingestion tends to differ.
With that being said, let us check this table below to find out different processes of animals eating food.
Ways to Eat Food
This Table Shows the Various Ways in Which Animals Ingest Their Food.
As we can see from the table, different animals eat food differently. It also means that their digestive pattern and system may also vary from one another.
Taking the example of the human digestive system, let us find out the process and how exactly it is different from digestion.
Do It Yourself: Add 4 Names to This Table and Mention How to Eat Food.
What is Digestion?
It is the process through which an organism turns insoluble food molecules into small soluble food molecules, which in turn makes the absorption of nutrients into blood plasma possible. The nutrients thus obtained provide the body with energy and facilitate growth and repair.
In human beings, the mouth, food pipe (oesophagus), stomach, large intestine, small intestine, anus and rectum are the main components of the digestive system’s alimentary canal. On the other hand, salivary glands, pancreas and liver are the major glands of this system.
Complete the Sentence: ____________ is the process of converting large food molecules into absorbable molecules through a chemical reaction.
Wondering How Unicellular Organisms Digest Their Food? Check the Example Below.
Ingestion and Digestion in Amoeba
Amoeba is a unicellular organism, and its cell has a – cell membrane, cytoplasm and nucleus. Its pseudopodia or finger-like projections help in locomotion and in capturing food.
Once food particles get trapped in cytoplasm’s vacuoles, the digestive enzymes facilitate the absorption process. Furthermore, the food particle which does not get digested is excreted by the vacuole.
Find out more about the process of animals eating food and the process of ingestion and digestion in them in detail by enrolling into our free live classes. Also, by accessing our free PDF study solutions will be able to get your lingering doubts about the concept and other related topics effectively. Now you can also download our Vedantu app for easier access to these notes and online interactive sessions.
FAQs on Different Ways of Taking Food
1. What are the Different Methods of Ingesting Food in Animals?
Different animals eat food in different ways. For instance, frogs swallow their food, while spiders grind their food. Likewise, human beings chew and swallow their food and butterflies suck nectar. Organisms living on the sea shores or beaches use a method of ingestion, which helps them to extract nutrition from the soil content and ingest it to produce energy. Also, aquatic animals can practice ingestion through their gills and leave out the water and other undesired substances that enter along with food.
2. What is Ingestion?
It is the process of animals eating food. Notably, due to differences in structures and composition of different animals, their mode and technique of ingestion tend to differ from one another. This process helps in taking the food to the part of the body where it is digested to provide energy. Also, ingestion is the primary step in the consumption of food. Different organisms have different ways by which they intake the food.
3. What is the Difference Between Ingestion and Digestion?
Ingestion is the intake of food particles, while digestion is the process of breaking down insoluble food particles into soluble particles. Ingestion is not responsible for changing food's chemical or mechanical structure. However, digestion changes both its chemical and mechanical structure. The process of ingestion takes place first whereas digestion occurs after ingestion. Ingestion is an external activity (starts from outside the organism's body) whereas digestion is a completely internal activity. The presence of saliva is necessary for the process of digestion but ingestion doesn't require salive.
