CBSE Class 11 Biology Digestion and Absorption Notes

These notes for CBSE Class 11 Biology, Chapter 16, focus on Digestion and Absorption. They define digestion as the conversion of complex food into simple substances for absorption and assimilation, and food as a vital substance for bodily functions. Key terms like Thecodont and Diphyodont teeth, Peristalsis, Degluttition, and Ruminants are explained. The notes also cover conditions like Diarrhoea, Vomiting, and Dysentry, along with Chyme and the role of Goblet cells. Structural components like Glisson's capsule and Hepatic lobules are mentioned, as is the Sphincter of Oddi. The basic steps of Holozoic Nutrition—Ingestion, Digestion, Absorption and Assimilation, and Egestion—are outlined. Finally, the major digestive glands including Salivary glands, Pancreas, Liver, Gastric glands, and Intestinal glands, and their secretions are listed. These notes are ideal for students to revise the chapter's core concepts for exams.

Last optimized 10 Aug 2026

Keep studying

Jump to solutions, books, papers, or another subject — without leaving NCERT Help.

Chapter 16 Digestion and Absorption

Notes For Biology Class11 Download In PDF

POINTS TO REMEMBER

Digestion : The process in alimentary canal by which the complex food is

converted mechanically and biochemically into simple substances suitable for

absorption and assimilation.

Food : A substance which on taken and digested in the body provides mate-

rials for growth, repair, energy, reproduction, resistance from disease or regulation

of body processes.

Thecodont : The teeth embedded in the sockets of the jaw bone. e.g., in

mammals.

Diphyodont : The teeth formed twice in life time e.g., in mammals.

Peristalsis : The involuntary movement of the gut by which the food bolus

is pushed forward.

Degluttition : The process of swallowing of food bolus. It is partly voluntary

and partly involuntary.

Ruminants : The herbivours animals (e.g., cow, buffalo etc.) which have

symbiotic bacteria in the rumen of their stomach which synthesize enzymes to

hydrolyse cellulose into short chains fally acids.

Diarrhoea : The abnormal frequent discharge of semisolid or fluid faecal

matter from the bowel.

Vomitting : The ejection of stomach contents through the mouth, caused

by antiperistalsis.

Dysentry : Frequent watery stools often with blood and mucus and with

pain, fever and causes dehydration.

Chyme : The semifluid mass into which food is converted by gastric secretion

and which passes from the stomach into the small intestine.

Goblet cells : The cells of intestinal mucosal epithelium which secrete

mucus.

Glissons capsule : The connective tissue sheath which covers the hepatic

lobules of liver.

Hepatic lobules : The structural and functional units of liver containing

hepatic cells which are arranged in the form of cords.

Sphincter of Oddi : The sphincter which guard the opening of common

hepato-pancreatic duct.

Villi : The small finger-like folding in the innermost layer of the alimentary

canal which increase the absorption surface area.

PEM : Protein Energy Malnutrition.

Basic steps of Holozoic Nutrition :

(1) Ingestion : Intake of food.

(2) Digestion : Breaking down of complex organic food materials into

simpler, smaller soluble molecules.

(3) Absorption and assimilation : Absorption of digested food into blood

or lymph and its use in the body cells for synthesis of complex components.

(4) Egestion : Elimination of undigested food as faeces.

Digestive glands :

(A) Salivary glands (found in mouth).

Three types are :

(i) Parotid

(ii)

Sublingual

(iii) Submaxillary.

Secrete saliva which contains ptyalin (Salivary amylase)

(B) Pancreas : Secretes pancreatic juice.

(C) Liver : Secretes bile.

(D) Gastric glands : Secretes gastric juice.

(E) Intestinal glands : Secretes intestinal juice or succus entericus.

Frequently asked questions

What is digestion according to these notes?

Digestion is the process in the alimentary canal where complex food is converted mechanically and biochemically into simple substances suitable for absorption and assimilation.

What are the basic steps of Holozoic Nutrition mentioned?

The basic steps are Ingestion (intake of food), Digestion (breaking down food), Absorption and assimilation (absorbing digested food and using it), and Egestion (eliminating undigested food).

Which digestive glands are covered in these notes?

The notes cover Salivary glands, Pancreas, Liver, Gastric glands, and Intestinal glands.

What is the function of Villi in the alimentary canal?

Villi are small finger-like foldings in the innermost layer of the alimentary canal that increase the absorption surface area.

What is Chyme?

Chyme is the semi-fluid mass into which food is converted by gastric secretion, passing from the stomach to the small intestine.

What does Thecodont refer to regarding teeth?

Thecodont refers to teeth that are embedded in the sockets of the jaw bone, as seen in mammals.

What are Diphyodont teeth?

Diphyodont teeth are teeth that are formed twice in a lifetime, which is characteristic of mammals.

Please Share this webpage on facebook, whatsapp, linkdin and twitter.

Facebook Twitter whatsapp Linkdin

Copyright @ ncerthelp.com A free educational website for CBSE, ICSE and UP board.