Experiment to show the effect of pH on salivary amylase:
1. Prepare three test tubes and label them as A, B, and C.
2. In test tube A, add 5 mL of saliva.
3. In test tube B, add 5 mL of saliva and 1 mL of hydrochloric acid (HCl) to create an acidic environment.
4. In test tube C, add 5 mL of saliva and 1 mL of sodium hydroxide (NaOH) to create an alkaline environment.
5. Mix the contents of each test tube gently.
6. Add 1 mL of starch solution to each test tube.
7. Start a timer and let the mixtures sit for a specific period, such as 5 minutes.
8. After the designated time, add a few drops of iodine solution to each test tube.
9. Observe and record the color changes in each test tube. Iodine turns blue-black in the presence of starch.
10. Repeat the experiment with different pH levels to gather more data.
Explanation of the digestion process in humans:
The digestion process in humans involves the breakdown of food into smaller molecules that can be absorbed and utilized by the body. It begins in the mouth with the mechanical and chemical digestion of food.
1. Mechanical digestion: The process starts with chewing, which breaks down food into smaller pieces, increasing its surface area for better chemical digestion.
2. Chemical digestion: Salivary amylase, an enzyme present in saliva, starts the chemical breakdown of carbohydrates (starches) into smaller sugar molecules like maltose. This process occurs in the mouth.
3. Swallowing: The chewed food, now called a bolus, is swallowed and travels down the esophagus to the stomach.
4. Stomach: In the stomach, gastric glands secrete gastric juice, which contains hydrochloric acid (HCl) and the enzyme pepsin. HCl creates an acidic environment that activates pepsin, which breaks down proteins into smaller peptides.
5. Small intestine: The partially digested food moves into the small intestine, where the majority of digestion and absorption occur. The pancreas secretes pancreatic juice, which contains enzymes like pancreatic amylase, lipase, and proteases. Pancreatic amylase continues the breakdown of carbohydrates into smaller sugar molecules, lipase breaks down fats into fatty acids and glycerol, and proteases break down proteins into amino acids.
6. Absorption: The small intestine has specialized structures called villi and microvilli, which increase the surface area for absorption. Nutrients, such as glucose, amino acids, and fatty acids, are absorbed into the bloodstream through the walls of the small intestine.
7. Large intestine: The remaining undigested food, mainly fiber and water, moves into the large intestine. Here, water is absorbed, and the remaining waste material is formed into feces.
8. Elimination: Feces are stored in the rectum and eliminated from the body through the anus during defecation.
Overall, the digestion process involves both mechanical and chemical processes, with enzymes playing a crucial role in breaking down food into smaller molecules that can be absorbed and utilized by the body.