the mouth + pharynx

Question 1

the mouth (what is it, what’s absorbed, lining)

Answer 1

Mouth is the point of ingestion.
The mouth is the first site of mechanical digestion as food must be broken down into pieces that are small enough to swallow

Some simple sugars are absorbed in the mouth

The mouth is lined with stratified squamous epithelium to protect it from abrasion.

Question 2

what do teeth do?

Answer 2

cut and grind food into smaller pieces -> chewing

Question 3

what does the tongue do?

Answer 3

moves food around in the mouth so it can be chewed
Tongue mixes food with saliva
Saliva lubricates food for swallowing
Saliva also contains enzyme amylase to for chemical digestion of starch/carbohydrates.

Question 4

types of teeth and dental pattern

Answer 4

Incisors – used for biting and cutting
Canines – used for tearing
Premolars
Molars – both molars and premolars for crushing and grinding.
Human dental pattern is 2:1:2:3

Question 5

structure of incisors

Answer 5

Chisel-shaped teeth

Question 6

structure of canines

Answer 6

In humans, canines are the same length as other teeth. Pointed ends (not sharp like other animals)

Question 7

structure of pre molars

Answer 7

broad crowns w/ 2 rounded cusps

Question 8

structure of molars

Answer 8

broad crowns w/ 4 to 5 rounded cusps

Question 9

what is a bolus

Answer 9

Mouthful of food that is then swallowed

Question 10

mechanical digestion in the mouth

Answer 10

by teeth
increases the surface area of the food for chemical digestion to take place

Question 11

chemical digestion in the mouth

Answer 11

Saliva (produced by glands) contains the enzyme amylase that can break down starches/carbohydrates

Question 12

saliva (how is it secreted, functions)

Answer 12

secreted from 3 pairs of salivary glands

Starch Digestion (by enzyme amylase)
Antibodies to kill germs
Lubricate the passage of food
Initiate taste receptors

Question 13

how does swallowing work?

Answer 13

the tongue moves upwards and backwards, pushing the bolus into the back of the mouth, the pharynx.
The pharynx leads into the esophagus.
The pharynx transports food to esophagus.

Question 14

pharynx (function, epiglottis, lining)

Answer 14

Food and air pass through the pharynx
The epiglottis is a flap-like structure at the back of the throat that closes over the larynx during swallowing to prevent food from entering the airways (trachea etc)
The pharynx is lined with stratified squamous epithelium to protect from abrasion by food