Is peristalsis mechanical digestion?
Understand the Problem
The question is asking whether peristalsis, which is the process of wave-like muscle contractions that moves food through the digestive tract, is considered mechanical digestion.
Answer
Yes, peristalsis is considered mechanical digestion.
The final answer is yes, peristalsis is considered mechanical digestion.
Answer for screen readers
The final answer is yes, peristalsis is considered mechanical digestion.
More Information
Peristalsis involves the rhythmic contractions of smooth muscle in the digestive tract, which physically moves food along and breaks it down without involving chemical breakdown.
Tips
A common mistake is to confuse mechanical digestion with chemical digestion. Mechanical digestion involves physical processes like chewing and peristalsis, while chemical digestion involves enzymatic reactions.
Sources
- Chemical Digestion: Definition, Purpose, Starting Point, and More - healthline.com
- Answer true or false: Peristalsis is considered mechanical digestion. - homework.study.com