Search results
Results from the WOW.Com Content Network
Saliva on a baby's lips. Saliva (commonly referred to as spit or drool) is an extracellular fluid produced and secreted by salivary glands in the mouth.In humans, saliva is around 99% water, plus electrolytes, mucus, white blood cells, epithelial cells (from which DNA can be extracted), enzymes (such as lipase and amylase), and antimicrobial agents (such as secretory IgA, and lysozymes).
Chyme has a low pH that is countered by the production of bile, which helps the further digestion of food. Chyme is part liquid and part solid: a thick semifluid mass of partially digested food and digestive secretions that is formed in the stomach and small intestine during digestion. Chyme also contains cells from the mouth and esophagus that ...
The taste of umami is thought to signal protein-rich food. Sour tastes are acidic which is often found in bad food. The brain has to decide very quickly whether the food should be eaten or not. It was the findings in 1991, describing the first olfactory receptors that helped to prompt the research into taste.
Digestion is the breakdown of large insoluble food compounds into small water-soluble components so that they can be absorbed into the blood plasma.In certain organisms, these smaller substances are absorbed through the small intestine into the blood stream.
In fish, the tongue is largely bony and much less mobile and getting the food to the back of the pharynx is helped by pumping water in its mouth and out of its gills. In snakes , the work of swallowing is done by raking with the lower jaw until the prey is far enough back to be helped down by body undulations.
Boogers trap invading viruses and bacteria before they can enter your body, so eating boogers might expose your system to these pathogens. See more stories on Insider's business page . Following ...
The glands and intestinal villi are covered by epithelium, which contains multiple types of cells: enterocytes (absorbing water and electrolytes), goblet cells (secreting mucus), enteroendocrine cells (secreting hormones), cup cells, myofibroblast, tuft cells, and at the base of the gland, Paneth cells (secreting anti-microbial peptides) and ...
This explains why coughing often occurs in those who smoke cigarettes. The body's natural reaction is to increase mucus production. In addition, mucus aids in moisturizing the inhaled air and prevents tissues such as the nasal and airway epithelia from drying out. [11] Mucus is produced continuously in the respiratory tract. Mucociliary action ...