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What is Peristalsis?

Answer – Peristalsis is a series of wave-like muscle contractions that move food through the digestive tract.

Explanation:

It is an involuntary physiological process and is characterized by radially symmetrical contraction and relaxation of the circular and longitudinal muscles of the gastrointestinal tract. Circular muscles work together in a synchronized manner, executing contractions and expansions that push the food through the tube, while longitudinal muscles ensure the continuous forward motion of the contents, directed toward the anus. Peristalsis occurs in various parts of the digestive system, including the esophagus, stomach, small and large intestines, and rectum.

Contraction of muscles during peristalsis to move food through the digestive tract.Food getting contracted during peristalsis — Peristalsis involves coordinated, rhythmic muscular contraction and relaxation that helps propel food contents through the gastrointestinal tract.

Peristalsis is an important component of gut motility; it helps in the mixing of food contents and thus allows its absorption through the walls of the small intestine.

Popular Questions

The vast majority of fat digestion and absorption occurs in the_______ (A) Liver, (B) Stomach, (C) Large intestine, or (D) Small intestine.

In this experiment, we will look for evidence of starch digestion by testing solutions for the presence of starch and sugars. When starch is present, the iodine in Lugol’s solution turns the solution black, blue, or dark brown. If starch is not present, iodine will dye the solution a yellow color. Benedict’s reagent reacts with “reducing sugars,” including glucose, resulting in a green, orange, or red color. If sugars are not present, Benedict’s reagent remains a light blue color. What is/are the end product(s) of starch digestion?

“Digestion”, alone, refers to the (very specific answer) __________ (A) Absorption of nutrients in the gut, (B) Progressive dehydration of indigestible residue, (C) Input of food into the digestive tract, (D) Chemical/mechanical breakdown of food, or (E) Mixing of nutrients with digestive enzymes.

Describe the locations where chemical digestion begins and ends, and where nutrient absorption occurs, for the major classes of macronutrients by completing the paragraphs below.

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Anatomy Biology Digestion Digestive System

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