Explain briefly the processes involved in digestion of food
Answers
★ DIGESTION OF FOOD:-
→ The process of digestion is accomplished by mechanical and chemical processes.
→ The buccal cavity performs two major functions,
• Mastication of food and
• Facilitation of swallowing
→ The teeth and the tongue with the help of saliva masticate and mix up the food thoroughly.
→ Mucus in saliva helps in lubricating and adhering the masticated food particles into a bolus.
→ The bolus is then conveyed into the pharynx and then into the oesophagus by swallowing or deglutition.
→ The bolus further passes down through the oesophagus by successive waves of muscular contractions called peristalsis.
→ The gastro-oesophageal sphincter controls the passage of food into the stomach.
→ The saliva secreted into the oral cavity contains electrolytes (Na+, K+, Cl-, and HCO-) and enzymes, salivary amylase and lysozyme.
→ The stomach stores the food for 4-5 hours.