HUMAN NUTRITION

Detailed explanation-1: -Mechanical digestion in the oral cavity consists of grinding of food into smaller pieces by the teeth, a process called mastication. Chemical digestion in the mouth is minor but consists of salivary amylase (ptyalin, or alpha-amylase) and lingual lipase, both contained in the saliva.

Detailed explanation-2: -The role of your teeth Teeth break down food for swallowing and further digestion. The incisors, located in the middle front of the lower and upper jaws, cut and gnaw pieces of food. The molars, in the back of the mouth, grind and chew.

Detailed explanation-3: -The oral cavity is bounded by the teeth, tongue, hard palate, and soft palate. These structures make up the mouth and play a key role in the first step of digestion: ingestion.

Detailed explanation-4: -The tongue aids mechanical digestion by moving and positioning food for chewing and swallowing, and mixing food with saliva. Saliva is released from salivary glands inside the mouth.