Questions: Which of the following is an agent of mechanical digestion in the mouth? a.) Saliva b.) Peristalsis c.) Teeth d.) Salivary amylase

Which of the following is an agent of mechanical digestion in the mouth?
a.) Saliva
b.) Peristalsis
c.) Teeth
d.) Salivary amylase
Transcript text: Which of the following is an agent of mechanical digestion in the mouth? a.) Saliva b.) Peristalsis c.) Teeth d.) Salivary amylase
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Solution

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The answer is the third one (c): Teeth.

Explanation for each option: a.) Saliva - Incorrect. Saliva is a fluid produced by the salivary glands that helps moisten food and contains enzymes, but it does not mechanically break down food. b.) Peristalsis - Incorrect. Peristalsis refers to the wave-like muscle contractions that move food through the digestive tract, primarily occurring in the esophagus, stomach, and intestines, not in the mouth. c.) Teeth - Correct. Teeth are responsible for the mechanical digestion in the mouth by physically breaking down food into smaller pieces through chewing. d.) Salivary amylase - Incorrect. Salivary amylase is an enzyme found in saliva that begins the chemical digestion of carbohydrates, not mechanical digestion.

Summary: Teeth are the agents of mechanical digestion in the mouth, as they physically break down food into smaller pieces through the process of chewing.

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