Straighterline Anatomy and Physiology 2 Lab BIO202L Lab 16 The Digestive System Worksheet 2023/2024 Questions and Answers

Student Name: Access Code (located on the lid of your lab kit): Pre-Lab Questions: 1. Explain the digestion that occurs in the oral cavity. In the oral cavity, digestion begins with the mechanical breakdown of food through chewing and mixing with saliva, which contains enzymes like amylase that start breaking down carbohydrates into simpler sugars. The process of mastication and saliva's enzymatic action prepares the food into a semi-liquid mixture, known as bolus, ready for swallowing and further digestion in the stomach. 2. What is the function of the liver in digestion? The liver plays a vital role in digestion by producing bile, which aids in the breakdown and emulsification of fats, facilitating their absorption in the small intestine. 3. What role does the gall bladder play in digestion?