Extra-cellular digestion
Encyclopedia
Extra-cellular digestion is a process where saprobionts feed by secreting enzymes through the cell membrane
onto the food which is in the digestive system spaces. The enzymes catalyse the food into molecules small enough for them to be phagocytosed. Since digestion
is done outside the cell, it is said to be extra-cellular.
Extracellular digestion is a form of digestion found in all saprobiontic
annelids, crustaceans, arthropods, lichins and chordates, including vertebrates. It takes place within the lumen of the digestive system, and the resulting nutrient molecules are transferred into the blood or body fluids.
Cell membrane
The cell membrane or plasma membrane is a biological membrane that separates the interior of all cells from the outside environment. The cell membrane is selectively permeable to ions and organic molecules and controls the movement of substances in and out of cells. It basically protects the cell...
onto the food which is in the digestive system spaces. The enzymes catalyse the food into molecules small enough for them to be phagocytosed. Since digestion
Digestion
Digestion is the mechanical and chemical breakdown of food into smaller components that are more easily absorbed into a blood stream, for instance. Digestion is a form of catabolism: a breakdown of large food molecules to smaller ones....
is done outside the cell, it is said to be extra-cellular.
Extracellular digestion is a form of digestion found in all saprobiontic
Saprobiontic
Saprobionts are organisms that digest their food externally and then absorb the products. Fungi are examples of saprobiontic organisms also known as decomposers....
annelids, crustaceans, arthropods, lichins and chordates, including vertebrates. It takes place within the lumen of the digestive system, and the resulting nutrient molecules are transferred into the blood or body fluids.