AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Peristalsis is a series of wave-like muscle contractions that move food through the digestive tract. It starts in the esophagus where strong wave-like motions of the smooth muscle move balls of swallowed food to the stomach.

Detailed explanation-2: -Peristalsis is a series of muscle contractions. These contractions occur in your digestive tract. Peristalsis is also seen in the tubes that connect the kidneys to the bladder. Peristalsis is an automatic and important process.

Detailed explanation-3: -Esophageal peristalsis results from sequential contraction of circular muscle, which serves to push the ingested food bolus toward the stomach. Esophageal longitudinal muscle may also play a role in peristalsis.

Detailed explanation-4: -Peristalsis squeezes your esophageal muscles from top to bottom. This pushes food and liquid along. If you could see peristalsis, it would look like a wave passing down your esophagus. To keep food and liquids moving in the right direction, your digestive tract has special muscles along its course called sphincters.

Detailed explanation-5: -Peristalsis is also part of mechanical digestion. This refers to involuntary contractions and relaxations of the muscles of your esophagus, stomach, and intestines to break down food and move it through your digestive system.