Questions and Answers
What is the function of salivary amylase enzyme in the digestive system?
It begins the digestion of starch
What is the function of the laryngopharynx in the digestive system?
It is connected to the esophagus
Why is chewing important in the digestive process?
It breaks the food into small pieces to be easily swallowed
What is the main function of the pancreas in the digestive system?
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What is the primary purpose of defecation in the digestive process?
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Study Notes
Digestive System Functions
Salivary Amylase Enzyme
- Breaks down carbohydrates (starches and sugars) into simpler sugars (maltose and dextrins) in the mouth
- Starts chemical digestion of carbohydrates
Laryngopharynx
- Serves as a common pathway for both food and air
- Directs swallowed food into the esophagus and air into the trachea
Chewing
- Breaks down food mechanically into smaller particles
- Increases surface area for enzyme action
- Allows for better mixing of food with saliva and enzymes
Pancreas
- Produces and secretes digestive enzymes (amylase, lipase, trypsin) into the small intestine
- Helps break down carbohydrates, proteins, and fats into absorbable nutrients
Defecation
- Eliminates waste products from the body
- Removes indigestible and unabsorbed substances from the digestive system
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