DIGESTION
Digestion is the chemical and mechanical break down of foods. This process is necessary due to the need for energy in cells. Digestion allows food to be broken down into smaller substances that are able to nourish cells and provide energy throughout the body. Without this complex system, all cells in the body would die out because of the lack of energy.
These broken down substances become small enough to be allowed to enter the bloodstream and diffuse across the cell membrane. Then, the molecules diffuse into the mitochondria creating energy for the organism. The energy is stored as glucose. Creating this energy for the cell, and breaking down glucose is also known as cellular respiration. The process of cellular respiration (Glucose + Oxygen → Carbon Dioxide + Water + ATP), allows ATP or adenosine triphosphate is released, and can be used for cell metabolism. Digestion is necessary because initially, food is not in a form of which one's body can use. The food must be broken down in order for it to convert to energy.
Human Digestion vs Cuttlefish Digestion
Human Digestion:
Human Digestion and Cuttlefish digestion are very similar in many ways. Humans intake food through their mouths, where mechanical digestion takes place. The food goes through mastication through chewing, and it breaks down due to an enzyme found in saliva, called amylase. The food then turns into what is called a bolus, which is simply the term used after chewing is preformed. The bolus is then swallowed and travels down the esophagus. The esophagus uses wave like contractions called peristalsis to allow food to enter into the small intestine. The small intestine absorb nutrients into the bloodstream, producing energy for cells. Then, the food reaches the large intestine then absorbs any leftover water, salt, or waste in the food. Lastly, the food is turned into waste, and is passed through the rectum.
Cuttlefish Digestion:
Cuttlefish use their tentacles to capture food. The food then enters the beak of the cuttlefish and their poisonous saliva allows their prey to be broken down. The radula, which is a tongue with razor like spikes also helps for the breakdown of these animals. Food is transported into a muscular stomach, the bolus is then transported into the caecum, for digestion, which is a long white organ that can be found near the ovaries or testis. After that, the food then goes to the liver, at the siphon's end, for absorption. Waste is then passed through the rectum. [1] Body structures and chemicals that aid in digestion are the cuttlefish's beak, poisonous saliva, their esophagus, intestines, radula, and digestive gland.
Cuttlefish use their tentacles to capture food. The food then enters the beak of the cuttlefish and their poisonous saliva allows their prey to be broken down. The radula, which is a tongue with razor like spikes also helps for the breakdown of these animals. Food is transported into a muscular stomach, the bolus is then transported into the caecum, for digestion, which is a long white organ that can be found near the ovaries or testis. After that, the food then goes to the liver, at the siphon's end, for absorption. Waste is then passed through the rectum. [1] Body structures and chemicals that aid in digestion are the cuttlefish's beak, poisonous saliva, their esophagus, intestines, radula, and digestive gland.
How do Cuttlefish obtain food?
Cuttlefish use their amazing camouflage abilities to stalk and hide from their new meal. Changing in color and texture they are very discreet in capturing prey. These mollusks, having eight arms and two tentacles, eject their tentacles to catch prey. These tentacles can add an extra ten to fifteen centimeters to their length. After capturing their prey, cuttlefish then either kill their food with their beak, or paralyze their victim using their poisonous saliva.
What do Cuttlefish Eat?
Cuttlefish eat many different creatures, they are carnivorous, so this includes crabs, worms, shrimp, fish and other cuttlefish.