Question

(c) What is the primary function of saliva?

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Answer 1

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Saliva is deeply associated with health or the functions of our body, including teeth and gums. The production of saliva is promoted when we chew food thoroughly. Saliva has various functions including chemical digestion and cleaning the mouth.

Answer 2

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The functions of Saliva are :

1) Lubrication of food

2) Solvent action

3) cleansing action

4) Digestive function

5) Excretory function

6) help in speech

7) In regulating water content in body

8) Buffering function

● LUBRICATION OF FOOD :

While chewing saliva gets mixed with food in mouth . the sticky substance which is known as mucin helps to form bolus . saliva forms a slippery coat on bolus to swallow the food .

● SOLVENT ACTION :

Taste of food is recognized by taste buds throughout the oral cavity . Saliva acts as a solvent and helps in perception of taste.

● CLEANSING ACTION :

The continuous flow of saliva keeps the mouth clean and free from food particles.

● DIGESTIVE FUNCTION :

The duration for which food remains in the mouth is not sufficient for the formation of starch . Once the food reaches the stomach the PH of stomach is highly acidic for ptlayin action .

● EXCRETORY SYSTEM :

several substances can be excreted in saliva like :-

lead,iodide,mercury. Antibiotics like:- penicillin, streptomycin, microorganisms virus causing:- mumps, measles, polio etc .

● HELP IN SPEECH :

saliva has motioning action which helps in articulation of speech in mouth.

● IN REGULATING WATER CONTENT IN BODY :

As saliva contains 99.5% water and daily secretion of saliva is 1 liter or more, decrease in body water content decreases salivary secretion and we get thirst sensation.

● BUFFERING FUNCTION :

Saliva contains bicarbonate, phosphate, proteins, etc. They act as buffers to keep the salivary pH within the normal limits.