The Digestive System: Mouth Human Bio 11

Mouth Teeth Tongue Salivary Glands and Saliva Enzymes Swallowing and Epiglottis Digestion in the Mouth

Teeth Necessary for initial breakdown of food. Chewing begins mechanical digestion. Teeth vary in size and shape. Each has a different role. Humans usually get 2 sets of teeth. Most adults have 32 teeth.

Teeth Incisors (8): ▫ front of mouth ▫ good for biting/cutting Canines (4): ▫ eye teeth ▫ pointed ▫ good for tearing and shredding

Teeth Premolars (8) and Molars (12): ▫ sides of mouth ▫ square shaped and flattened ▫ good for grinding and chewing

Tongue For Senses: ▫ Acts as a taste organ. For Digestion: ▫ It mixes saliva with food. ▫ It moves food towards the rear of the mouth for swallowing.

Salivary Glands Under the tongue. Produce saliva when we sense food or think about food.

Saliva Helps to moisten food so that it is easy to chew and swallow.

Enzymes Chemicals that help speed up digestion. They help to break down food. In saliva: ▫ The enzyme is Amylase. ▫ Breaks down some of the carbohydrates.

Swallowing Chewed up food is called a bolus. Muscle movements in the tongue and mouth will move the bolus into the pharynx (throat).

Epiglottis Located at the top of the trachea (windpipe). It closes the trachea while opening the esophagus when we swallow.