peristalsis (digestion in the stomach)

Peristalsis

The movement of food through the gut caused by waves of muscular contractions.

Antagonistic muscles in the gut

Two sets of muscles that contract and relax at opposite times to push food along.

Digestion

The process of breaking down large insoluble molecules into small soluble molecules by digestive enzymes.

Protease

An enzyme that breaks down proteins into smaller molecules called amino acids.

Digestion in the mouth

Mechanical digestion through chewing increases the surface area for enzymes to act.

Amylase

An enzyme found in saliva that breaks down starch into maltose.

Word equation for Starch digestion

Starch ————→ maltose (by Amylase).

Oesophagus

The tube that carries food from the mouth to the stomach by peristalsis.