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Question

Justify this statemtent "Digestion of food begins in the mouth"

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Solution

Digestion of food begins in mouth because of the following reasons:

When food is taken in through the mouth, chewing and mixing of the food occurs. There is also a chemical breakdown of carbohydrates, due to the action of saliva from the salivary glands. 30% of the starch is hydrolyzed by the action of amylase, which is a salivary enzyme. The other enzyme, lysozyme is an antibacterial agent that prevents infections.

Starch + Salivary amylase → Maltose

Mastication of food and swallowing of food are the important activities that take place here in the oral cavity. Food is broken down into smaller particles by the chewing action of teeth. As saliva is added, it mixes with the food particles, slowly moistening and lubricating the food. This small ball is called a bolus, which is then swallowed. The pharynx helps in the movement of the bolus into the oesophagus, from where it moves to the stomach through the peristaltic movements of the oesophagus.


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