Final answer:
Chemical digestion involves enzymes breaking down large molecules through chemical reactions, while mechanical digestion involves the physical breakdown of food into smaller pieces.
Step-by-step explanation:
Chemical digestion is the process by which enzymes break down large molecules into smaller ones through chemical reactions. It occurs in various parts of the digestive system such as the mouth, stomach, and small intestine. For example, in the mouth, salivary amylase helps break down starch into smaller sugar molecules.
Mechanical digestion, on the other hand, involves the physical breakdown of food into smaller pieces, increasing its surface area for efficient chemical digestion. It occurs through actions like chewing in the mouth, churning in the stomach, and segmentation movements in the small intestine. These mechanical actions help mix and break food into smaller particles.
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