Question

The process of breaking down food by chewing is called ___________.

• A. Digestion
• B. Assimilation
• C. Salivation
• D. Mastication

Answer 1

The correct option is D

Mastication

The correct option is (D)

Explanation of correct option:

1. Mastication can be defined as the process of chewing the whole food and forming a bolus with the help of saliva within the buccal cavity.
2. It happens so that in later stages we have a larger surface area for the enzymes to work on the food and digest the complex nutrients.

Explanation of incorrect option:

Option (A):

1. Digestion is the process in which the complex food items are broken down into simpler forms by the action of various enzymes in the alimentary canal.

Option (B):

1. The blood transports the digested food to all parts of the body for the release of energy. which is known as assimilation.

Option (C):

1. The release of saliva from the salivary glands when food enters the buccal cavity is known as salivation.

Final answer:

The process of breaking down food by chewing is called mastication.