"Digestion of food begins in the mouth"- explain this statement by providing which secretion and enzyme are responsible for digestion.
"Digestion of food begins in the mouth"- explain this statement by providing which secretion and enzyme are responsible for digestion.
Digestion of food begins in the mouth. The mouth comprises of the following:
Teeth: They tear and break down the food.
Saliva: It contains a digestive enzyme called salivary amylase, which breaks down starch into sugar.
Tongue: It is a sense organ with taste buds, which help us to differentiate between various food items. The muscular movements in the tongue move the food from the mouth into the throat, or pharynx.
Digestive enzyme
• Proteases and peptidases split proteins into small peptides and amino acids.
• Lipases split fat into three fatty acids and a glycerol molecule.
• Amylases split carbohydrates such as starch and sugars into simple sugars such as glucose.
• Nucleases split nucleic acids into nucleotides.
In the oral cavity, salivary glands secrete an array of enzymes and substances that aid in digestion and also disinfection. They include the following:
▪ lingual lipase: Lipid digestion initiates in the mouth. Lingual lipase starts the digestion of the lipids/fats.
▪ Salivary amylase: Carbohydrate digestion also initiates in the mouth. Amylase, produced by the salivary glands, breaks complex carbohydrates to smaller chains, or even simple sugars. It is sometimes referred to as ptyalin.
▪ lysozyme: Considering that food contains more than just essential nutrients, e.g. bacteria or viruses, the lysozome offers a limited and non-specific, yet beneficial antiseptic function in digestion.
Of note is the diversity of the salivary glands. There are two types of salivary glands:
▪ serous glands: These glands produce a secretion rich in water, electrolytes, and enzymes. A great example of a serous oral gland is the parotid gland.
▪ Mixed glands: These glands have both serous cells and mucous cells, and include sublingual and submandibular glands. Their secretion is mucinous and high in viscosity.
Digestion of food begins in the mouth. The mouth comprises of the following:
Teeth: They tear and break down the food.
Saliva: It contains a digestive enzyme called salivary amylase, which breaks down starch into sugar.
Tongue: It is a sense organ with taste buds, which help us to differentiate between various food items. The muscular movements in the tongue move the food from the mouth into the throat, or pharynx.
Digestive enzyme
• Proteases and peptidases split proteins into small peptides and amino acids.
• Lipases split fat into three fatty acids and a glycerol molecule.
• Amylases split carbohydrates such as starch and sugars into simple sugars such as glucose.
• Nucleases split nucleic acids into nucleotides.
In the oral cavity, salivary glands secrete an array of enzymes and substances that aid in digestion and also disinfection. They include the following:
▪ lingual lipase: Lipid digestion initiates in the mouth. Lingual lipase starts the digestion of the lipids/fats.
▪ Salivary amylase: Carbohydrate digestion also initiates in the mouth. Amylase, produced by the salivary glands, breaks complex carbohydrates to smaller chains, or even simple sugars. It is sometimes referred to as ptyalin.
▪ lysozyme: Considering that food contains more than just essential nutrients, e.g. bacteria or viruses, the lysozome offers a limited and non-specific, yet beneficial antiseptic function in digestion.
Of note is the diversity of the salivary glands. There are two types of salivary glands:
▪ serous glands: These glands produce a secretion rich in water, electrolytes, and enzymes. A great example of a serous oral gland is the parotid gland.
▪ Mixed glands: These glands have both serous cells and mucous cells, and include sublingual and submandibular glands. Their secretion is mucinous and high in viscosity.
