Digestion
The process of breaking down food into molecules small enough to be absorbed and used by cells. Involves mechanical breakdown and chemical digestion by enzymes.
Used in the Books
This term appears in 4 chapters:
"...mically (throughout plant) - Future bites taste worse, deter further herbivory - Some compounds specifically target caterpillar gut enzymes, reducing digestion efficiency 2. Indirect defense (recruit predators): - Tomato plants release VOCs that attract parasitoid wasps (wasps that lay eggs in caterpill..."
"...ation (which muscle fibers to activate in what sequence, how to compensate for perturbations). And many autonomic functions (heart rate, respiration, digestion) operate through distributed control in the brainstem and peripheral ganglia, with minimal cortical involvement."
"This fragmentation is essential - without it, decomposition would be orders of magnitude slower. Enzymatic digestion: Fungi and bacteria secrete enzymes that break down complex organic molecules. Different organisms specialize in different compounds: some fungi de..."
"Even our own bodies harbor trillions of gut bacteria in mutualistic partnerships, with bacteria aiding digestion and synthesizing vitamins while we provide habitat and nutrients. These mutualisms share defining characteristics."
Biological Context
Digestive systems range from simple (single cavity in jellyfish) to complex (multi-organ systems in vertebrates). Digestion converts complex food molecules into simple sugars, amino acids, and fatty acids. Different diets require different digestive adaptations.
Business Application
Organizational digestion: breaking down inputs (information, acquisitions, raw materials) into usable components. Like biological digestion, it requires time, energy, and appropriate 'enzymes' (processes). Indigestible inputs pass through without providing value.