Question

Explain the role of the mouth in digestion of food.

Answer 1

Mouth:

1. The digestive system begins with the mouth, which is an anterior opening.
2. The mouth is made up of the upper lip and lower lip.
3. The mouth opens into the oral cavity.
4. The oral cavity has a number of teeth and a muscular tongue.

Role of mouth in digestion:

1. The oral cavity performs mastication of food and facilitation of swallowing.
2. The hard chewing surface of teeth helps in the breakdown of food into small pieces.
3. The teeth and tongue along with saliva mix up the food thoroughly.
4. Amylase enzyme present in the saliva breakdown the starch into sugars.
5. After lubricating with saliva, masticated food is converted into a bolus.