How might the chewing of food be related to the rate of a chemical reaction-digestion- that occurs in your body? explain
Smaller pieces of solid materials react faster necause more surface area is exposed for reaction with other scompounds.
Smaller pieces can be digested more quickly, and saliva is the first step in the digestion process.
Since this is not my area of expertise, I searched Google under the key words "saliva digestion" to get these possible sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saliva
http://www.vivo.colostate.edu/hbooks/pathphys/digestion/pregastric/salivary.html
http://kidshealth.org/parent/general/body_basics/digestive.html
http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/yrdd/
You can also search under "chewing digestion."
In the future, you can find the information you desire more quickly, if you use appropriate key words to do your own search. Also see http://hanlib.sou.edu/searchtools/.
I hope this helps. Thanks for asking.
The chewing of food plays a significant role in the rate of chemical reactions, specifically digestion, that occur in your body. When you chew your food, several important processes are initiated.
1. Mechanical Breakdown: Chewing physically breaks down food into smaller particles, increasing its surface area. The more surface area exposed, the more contact the food has with digestive enzymes, which speeds up the process of digestion. This allows enzymes to have more access to the food, making it easier for them to break down large molecules into smaller units.
2. Mixing with Saliva: While you chew, saliva is secreted into your mouth. Saliva contains digestive enzymes, such as amylase, that begin breaking down carbohydrates in the food. This initial breakdown of complex carbohydrates into simpler sugars starts the digestion process before the food reaches the stomach.
3. Swallowing: Chewing also aids in swallowing successfully. Chewing food thoroughly helps to create a bolus, a small, compact mass that can be easily swallowed. Effective swallowing ensures food is transported to the stomach efficiently, allowing the digestive process to proceed smoothly.
4. Increased Surface Area: Chewing helps to break down food into small particles, which increases its surface area. The larger the surface area of the food exposed to digestive enzymes, the faster the enzymes can act, leading to a more rapid chemical reaction and digestion.
Overall, the thorough chewing of food enhances the rate of chemical reactions during digestion. It helps break down food into smaller particles, increases digestion enzyme contact, initiates the digestion of nutrients in the mouth, and increases the surface area available for the enzymes to work on. Therefore, chewing food properly is essential in optimizing the efficiency and speed of the digestive process in your body.