Learn Taste and Digestion study material for AISSEE preparation, including Q&A, explanations, digestive system functions, MCQs, and revision notes. Buy the complete study material from Anand Classes for success in the All India Sainik Schools Entrance Examination.
Digestion and taste are essential biological processes that help our body break down food and identify different flavors. Below is a detailed question-answer format that will help students prepare for the All India Sainik Schools Entrance Examination (AISSEE).
Taste and Digestion – AISSEE Question-Answer Format
1. What is digestion? Why is it important?
Answer: Digestion is the biological process in which food is broken down into simpler substances so that the body can absorb and utilize nutrients for energy, growth, and repair.
Importance of Digestion:
- It helps in the absorption of nutrients.
- Provides energy required for various body functions.
- Removes waste materials from the body.
- Breaks down complex food substances into simpler forms that can be easily used by cells.
2. What are the different types of digestion?
Answer: There are two main types of digestion:
- Mechanical Digestion:
- Involves physical breakdown of food into smaller pieces.
- Occurs in the mouth and stomach through chewing, churning, and mixing of food.
- Chemical Digestion:
- Involves the breakdown of food using digestive enzymes and acids.
- Occurs in the mouth (saliva), stomach (gastric juices), and intestines (enzymes from pancreas and bile from liver).
3. What are the major organs involved in digestion? Explain their functions.
Answer: The human digestive system consists of various organs, each playing a vital role in digestion.
1. Mouth:
- Food enters the body through the mouth.
- Teeth break down food into smaller pieces (mechanical digestion).
- Saliva contains the enzyme amylase, which helps digest carbohydrates.
2. Esophagus:
- A tube-like structure that carries food from the mouth to the stomach.
- The movement of food occurs through peristalsis (wave-like muscle contractions).
3. Stomach:
- The stomach secretes gastric juices containing hydrochloric acid (HCl) and enzymes (pepsin) that help break down proteins.
- The stomach churns food, converting it into a semi-liquid form called chyme.
4. Small Intestine:
- The longest part of the digestive system (around 6 meters long).
- It absorbs nutrients through finger-like projections called villi.
- The pancreas releases digestive enzymes, and the liver secretes bile to aid in digestion.
5. Large Intestine:
- Absorbs water and minerals from undigested food.
- The remaining waste is converted into solid feces and excreted through the rectum and anus.
4. What is the role of the tongue in digestion and taste?
Answer:
- The tongue helps in mixing food with saliva, making it easier to swallow.
- It pushes food towards the teeth for chewing.
- The tongue has taste buds that help identify different tastes.
Types of Taste Buds and Their Functions:
| Type of Taste | Location on Tongue | Example of Food |
|---|---|---|
| Sweet | Tip of the tongue | Sugar, honey, fruits |
| Sour | Sides of the tongue | Lemon, tamarind |
| Salty | Front sides of the tongue | Salt, chips |
| Bitter | Back of the tongue | Bitter gourd, coffee |
| Umami (Savory) | Middle of the tongue | Cheese, meat, soy sauce |
5. What is saliva? What is its role in digestion?
Answer:
Saliva is a digestive fluid secreted by salivary glands in the mouth.
Functions of Saliva:
- Moistens food, making it easier to chew and swallow.
- Contains amylase, which breaks down starch into sugar.
- Helps detect taste by dissolving food particles.
6. What is peristalsis? How does it help in digestion?
Answer:
Peristalsis is a wave-like muscular movement of the digestive tract that helps push food forward from the esophagus to the stomach and intestines.
Importance of Peristalsis:
- Ensures food moves in the right direction.
- Helps mix food with digestive juices for better digestion.
- Prevents food from getting stuck in the digestive tract.
7. What is bile? Where is it produced and stored?
Answer:
Bile is a yellow-green digestive fluid that helps in the digestion of fats.
- Produced by: Liver
- Stored in: Gallbladder
- Function: Breaks down large fat molecules into smaller droplets (emulsification), making digestion easier.
8. Why is chewing food properly important?
Answer:
- Chewing breaks food into smaller pieces, making digestion easier.
- It allows saliva to mix with food, starting the digestion of carbohydrates.
- It prevents choking and helps in better absorption of nutrients.
9. What happens to undigested food in the large intestine?
Answer:
- Water and minerals are absorbed from undigested food.
- The remaining waste material is solidified into feces.
- Feces are excreted from the body through the rectum and anus.
10. What are enzymes? Name some digestive enzymes and their functions.
Answer:
Enzymes are biological catalysts that speed up the breakdown of food during digestion.
| Enzyme | Secreted By | Function |
|---|---|---|
| Amylase | Salivary glands, pancreas | Breaks down starch into sugar |
| Pepsin | Stomach | Breaks down proteins into peptides |
| Lipase | Pancreas | Helps digest fats |
| Trypsin | Pancreas | Further breaks down proteins |
Do You Know?
- The human tongue has around 10,000 taste buds that regenerate every 10-14 days.
- The stomach produces about 2 liters of gastric juice daily to aid digestion.
- The small intestine is approximately 6 meters long, while the large intestine is about 1.5 meters long.
- Hydrochloric acid (HCl) in the stomach is strong enough to kill harmful bacteria in food.
- Fiber-rich foods like fruits and vegetables help in smooth digestion and prevent constipation.
11. What is the role of the pancreas in digestion?
Answer:
The pancreas is an important organ that produces digestive enzymes and hormones.
Functions of the Pancreas:
- Secretes Digestive Enzymes:
- Amylase – Breaks down carbohydrates.
- Lipase – Helps digest fats.
- Trypsin – Breaks down proteins.
- Regulates Blood Sugar Levels:
- Produces insulin, which controls sugar levels in the blood.
12. What are the three types of salivary glands?
Answer:
There are three pairs of salivary glands that produce saliva in the mouth:
- Parotid Glands – Located near the ears, the largest salivary glands.
- Submandibular Glands – Located under the jaw.
- Sublingual Glands – Located under the tongue.
These glands produce saliva, which contains enzymes that help in digestion and keeping the mouth moist.
13. What are the different types of teeth and their functions?
Answer:
Humans have four types of teeth, each with a specific function:
| Type of Teeth | Function | Example in Humans |
|---|---|---|
| Incisors | Cutting and biting food | Front teeth (8 in total) |
| Canines | Tearing and ripping food | Sharp, pointed teeth (4 in total) |
| Premolars | Crushing and grinding food | Between canines and molars (8 in total) |
| Molars | Chewing and grinding food | Back teeth (12 in total, including wisdom teeth) |
14. How does the stomach protect itself from its own acid?
Answer:
The stomach secretes hydrochloric acid (HCl), which helps in digestion. However, this acid is very strong and could damage the stomach lining.
Protection Mechanism:
- The stomach lining produces a thick layer of mucus that protects it from acid damage.
- Special epithelial cells regenerate quickly to repair any damage.
If the mucus layer is weakened, it can lead to stomach ulcers.
15. How does the liver help in digestion?
Answer:
The liver plays a crucial role in digestion by:
- Producing bile, which helps in breaking down fats.
- Storing vitamins and minerals for later use.
- Detoxifying harmful substances from the blood.
- Regulating the metabolism of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats.
16. What are villi? What is their function in the small intestine?
Answer:
Villi are tiny, finger-like projections present in the small intestine.
Functions of Villi:
- Increase Surface Area: More area for food absorption.
- Absorb Nutrients: Transport nutrients into the bloodstream.
- Help in Digestion: Contain enzymes that assist in breaking down food.
Without villi, the body would not absorb nutrients efficiently, leading to malnutrition.
17. What happens if the digestive system does not function properly?
Answer:
If the digestive system does not work properly, it can lead to several problems:
- Indigestion: Difficulty in digesting food, causing discomfort.
- Constipation: Hard and infrequent stools due to a lack of fiber or water.
- Diarrhea: Loose and watery stools caused by infections or improper digestion.
- Acid Reflux: When stomach acid flows back into the esophagus, causing heartburn.
A balanced diet, proper hydration, and regular exercise help maintain a healthy digestive system.
18. What are the main differences between the small intestine and the large intestine?
Answer:
| Feature | Small Intestine | Large Intestine |
|---|---|---|
| Length | About 6 meters | About 1.5 meters |
| Function | Digests and absorbs nutrients | Absorbs water and forms feces |
| Presence of Villi | Yes (for nutrient absorption) | No |
| Digestive Juices | Yes (from pancreas and liver) | No |
19. What is the function of hydrochloric acid (HCl) in the stomach?
Answer:
Hydrochloric acid (HCl) is a digestive acid secreted by the stomach.
Functions of HCl:
- Kills harmful bacteria present in food.
- Activates pepsin, which helps break down proteins.
- Dissolves food particles, making digestion easier.
Too much HCl can cause acidity or ulcers, while too little HCl can lead to poor digestion.
20. What is fiber, and why is it important for digestion?
Answer:
Fiber is a type of carbohydrate that the body cannot digest completely. It is found in plant-based foods like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
Importance of Fiber:
- Helps in smooth bowel movement, preventing constipation.
- Absorbs water and adds bulk to stools.
- Keeps the digestive system healthy by feeding good gut bacteria.
Eating fiber-rich foods like whole wheat, oats, and fruits improves digestion.
21. What is the difference between taste and flavor?
Answer:
- Taste is detected by the taste buds on the tongue and includes sweet, sour, salty, bitter, and umami.
- Flavor is a combination of taste, smell, and texture of food.
For example, a cold mango juice and a fresh mango may have the same taste (sweet), but the flavor is different due to smell and texture.
22. What is the role of gut bacteria in digestion?
Answer:
The large intestine contains beneficial bacteria that help in digestion.
Functions of Gut Bacteria:
- Break down undigested food.
- Produce vitamins like Vitamin K and B12.
- Strengthen the immune system.
- Help prevent harmful bacteria from growing.
Eating probiotic foods like yogurt helps maintain healthy gut bacteria.
23. How does food move from the stomach to the intestines?
Answer:
Once food is digested in the stomach, it moves into the small intestine through a muscular valve called the pyloric sphincter.
- The movement occurs due to peristalsis, a wave-like contraction of muscles.
- The small intestine absorbs nutrients, and the remaining waste passes into the large intestine.
24. Why do we feel hungry?
Answer:
Hunger is controlled by the brain and hormones.
- The hormone ghrelin signals the brain when the stomach is empty.
- The brain then triggers hunger, making us feel like eating.
When the stomach is full, the hormone leptin tells the brain to stop eating.
25. How can we maintain a healthy digestive system?
Answer:
- Eat fiber-rich foods like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
- Drink plenty of water to keep digestion smooth.
- Chew food properly to aid digestion.
- Avoid junk food, which is hard to digest.
- Exercise regularly to keep the digestive system active.
Test Your Knowledge (Quiz)
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