Chewing and saliva Flashcards
Why do we chew food (x2)
Because food tastes good
To make sure its small enough for the oesophagus
What controls chewing
Voluntary somatic control
A reflex response
What is the reflex response when chewing
Its an inhibitory response to increased pressure on the mechanoreceptors in the mouth
How many salivary glands do we have
3 pairs
What are the salivary glands called
Parotid
Submandibular
Sublingual
What does the parotid salivary gland secrete
A serous watery secretion
What does the submandibular salivary gland secrete
A mix of serous and mucous solution
What does the sublingual salivary gland secrete
A mucous secretion
What is the biggest salivary gland
The parotid
What does saliva contain? (x5)
Water Mucins A-amylase electrolytes lysozymes
What is the percentage of water in saliva
99%
What is waters function in saliva
Moisten, Soften, dilute,
act as solvent
What is mucin
The protein component of saliva
What does mucin+water make
Mucous
What is the function of electrolytes in saliva
Controls the tonicity
If PH is too high - damages teeth
If pH is too low - creates tartare