Question

Which of the following digestive system mechanisms occur in the esophagus: propulsion, absorption, chemical digestion, mechanical digestion?

Answer 1

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.