Digestion: Why is it important?
Digestion is the act of breaking down food into smaller compartments so that the food could be absorbed into the body. Digestion is necessary because it helps the body absorb and take in the necessary nutrients that a body needs. [1] Digestion begins with the wetting of food using saliva. [1] After the food has been chewed, the food enters the esophagus. The esophagus a muscle tube that makes the food travel to the to stomach. Human digestion is the process of absorbing nutrients from food, and they transport these nutrients through the blood stream. These nutrients become energy which can be used or stored. Emperor Penguins also have a very similar method of digestion.
Digestion in The Emperor Penguin
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AnatomyThe penguin is the only flightless bird. The Emperor penguin consists of a thick layer of fur, and paddle shaped flippers on their sides.
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Emperor Penguin Digestive System:The Emperor Penguin obtains food by feeding at sea. They dive onto the sea at 50-60 ft below the surface. Penguins catch their prey with their bills and swallow it whole while swimming. Penguins rely a lot on their vision. Many scientists don't know how penguins catch food at night. They hypothesize that penguins are helped by the bioluminescence of sea creatures. [1]
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