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.
|
S.No |
Animal |
Food |
Mode of Ingestion |
|
1 |
Human beings |
Fruits, vegetables, meat, etc. |
Mouth (chewing and swallowing) |
|
2 |
Humming Bird |
Nectar |
Sucking |
|
3 |
Ants |
Insects |
Scraping |
|
4 |
Snails |
Grass |
Chewing |
|
5 |
Butterfly |
Nectar |
Sucking |
|
6 |
Amoeba |
Food Particles |
Pseudopodia |
|
7 |
Lice |
Blood |
Sucking |
|
8 |
Hydra |
Fish And Insects |
Tentacles |
|
9 |
Frogs |
Insects |
Swallowing |
|
10 |
Bees |
Nectar |
Sucking |
|
11 |
Earthworm |
Decaying Matter |
Muscular Pharynx |
|
12 |
Snakes |
Rats |
Swallowing |
|
13 |
Eagle |
Flesh |
Swallowing |
|
14 |
Spider |
Insects |
Grinding |
|
15 |
Mosquito |
Blood |
Sucking |
|
16 |
Housefly |
Decaying Matter |
Brewing |
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.
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