Distinguish between intracellular and extracellular digestion?
Explanation Intracellular (intra means inside and cellular means cell) Intracellular digestion is the process of breakdown of complex food particles into simple substances within the cell. The process of digestion is initiated by the phagocytosis (ingesting the food substances through the cell membrane) of food particles. The process of digestion is catalyzed by various hydrolytic enzymes (digestive enzymes) present in lysosomes. This type of digestion is more prominent in unicellular organisms or animals which lack complete digestive tracts such as protozoans and Poriferans Extracellular (extra means outside and cellular means cell) Extracellular digestion is the process of breakdown of complex food substances into simple particles outside the cell. The catalytic reaction of digestion may occur either in the body cavity or completely outside the cell. For example, humans have a complete digestive system in which breakdown of food occurs by the digestive juices or enzymes secreted by the stomach. Unlike fungus, it lacks a complete digestive system, so it performs digestion of food outside the body. It releases the digestive enzymes on the complex food particle which causes the breakdown of food particles. It absorbs the essential nutrients from the digested food to carry out various locomotory activities. Final Answer Intracellular digestion is the breakdown of food substances within the cell while extracellular digestion is the breakdown of food substances outside the cell or body of an organism.
