Straighterline Anatomy and Physiology 2 Lab BIO202L Lab 16 The Digestive System Worksheet 2023

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? The gallbladder stores and concentrates bile produced by the liver, releasing it into the small intestine when needed to aid in the digestion and absorption of fats. 4. Why is the orientation of muscle of the stomach wall important? How does this contribute to its function? The orientation of the muscle in the stomach wall, which includes longitudinal, circular, and oblique layers, is essential for its function as it allows for efficient mixing, churning, and propulsion of food during digestion, enabling better breakdown and mixing with digestive enzymes.