Which of the following digestive system mechanisms occur in the esophagus: propulsion, absorption, chemical digestion, mechanical digestion?
1 Answer
Mar 7, 2016
Propulsion and Chemical Digestion
Explanation:
Propulsion:
The bolus (balls of clumped food particles) moves in the esophagus by a process called peristalsis. This is basically the contraction and relaxation of antagonistic muscles (circular muscles and longitudinal muscles). The "push and pull"movement causes the bolus to be pushed forward.
Chemical:
Salivary amylase continues to work on the food particles. The amylase breaks down starch into maltose sugars while the water helps for hydrolysis.