What happens to Food in the Mouth?

Question 1

Mechanical (Physical) Digestion

Answer 1

Mechanical digestion is carried out by the teeth. The teeth physically chew the food to break it up into smaller pieces.

Question 2

Chemical Digestion

Answer 2

This is carried out by enzymes. As we chew, the salivary glands release saliva which mixes with the food. Saliva contains the enzyme amylase. The amylase starts to break down starch into sugar (glucose)

Question 3

What enzyme does saliva contain?

Answer 3

Amylase

Question 4

What does amylase do?

Answer 4

It starts to break down starch into sugar or glucose in the mouth

Question 5

Why do we chew food?

Answer 5

Chewing makes food easier to swallow so we do not choke. It also increases the surface area.

Question 6

Why is food digested more quickly when it is in small pieces?

Answer 6

When food is broken down into smaller pieces it has an increased surface area for the enzymes to reach and action

Question 7

Bolus

Answer 7

Ball of food

Question 8

Where does the bolus go to after the mouth?

Answer 8

The bolus is then swallowed into the oesophagus