Explain in detail about the digestion of food in mouth? [5 MARKS]
Explain in detail about the digestion of food in mouth? [5 MARKS]
Each point: 1 Mark
1. Chewing food may accomplish the chemical, as well as the physical breakdown of food. This chemical degradation is achieved through the action of salivary glands.
2. There are three sets of salivary glands in humans: parotid (just below the ear), submaxillary (in the region below the upper jaw), and sublingual (below the tongue). 3. Each of them produce saliva, which passes down a short duct into the oral cavity. Saliva is a fluid rich in ions and contains some enzymes. Its major function is probably the wetting and lubrication of food particles. However, saliva also contains amylase (whose older name was ptyalin).
4. Although ptyalin begins the breakup of starch that is ingested, food chewed in the mouth reaches the stomach rather quickly, and the acids in the stomach quickly inhibits the degradation of starch started in the mouth.
5. Saliva also exerts an antibacterial action in the mouth and holds many harmful bacteria in check.
Each point: 1 Mark
1. Chewing food may accomplish the chemical, as well as the physical breakdown of food. This chemical degradation is achieved through the action of salivary glands.
2. There are three sets of salivary glands in humans: parotid (just below the ear), submaxillary (in the region below the upper jaw), and sublingual (below the tongue). 3. Each of them produce saliva, which passes down a short duct into the oral cavity. Saliva is a fluid rich in ions and contains some enzymes. Its major function is probably the wetting and lubrication of food particles. However, saliva also contains amylase (whose older name was ptyalin).
4. Although ptyalin begins the breakup of starch that is ingested, food chewed in the mouth reaches the stomach rather quickly, and the acids in the stomach quickly inhibits the degradation of starch started in the mouth.
5. Saliva also exerts an antibacterial action in the mouth and holds many harmful bacteria in check.
