The Digestive System - The Mouth (T2)

Question 1

Describe in detail the mouth and the part it plays in the digestive system..

Answer 1

• the region where both physical and chemical processes begin
• physical digestion involves the breakdown of food using the teeth and tongue from larger to smaller pieces
• this increases the surface area of the food particles for enzyme activity to take place
• chemical digestion involves the production of amylase
• salivary amylase is produced by the salivary glands and is found in the saliva
• it begins the carbohydrate digestion, speeding up the breakdown of starch into maltose
• the now moist food is rolled into a ball like structure called the bolus and swallowed
• a flap of skin called the epiglottis prevents the food from going down the trachea
• the food enters the oesophagus…