Major utility of breaking up of food into small bites during chewing is

Options

A. to reduce suface area of the food eaten up
B. to increase surface area of the food eaten up
C. to make the food soluble.
D. to enjoy taste of food

Answer

**Step-by-Step Text Solution:**

1. **Understanding Chewing**: Chewing is a mechanical process that involves breaking down large food particles into smaller pieces. This is primarily done by the teeth.

2. **Purpose of Breaking Food into Smaller Pieces**: The main purpose of breaking food into smaller bites is to increase the surface area of the food. When food is chewed, it becomes smaller and has a larger surface area relative to its volume.

3. **Importance of Increased Surface Area**: An increased surface area is crucial because it allows digestive enzymes and saliva to interact more effectively with the food. This interaction is essential for the breakdown of food into simpler molecules that can be absorbed by the body.

4. **Role of Saliva and Digestive Enzymes**: Saliva contains enzymes like amylase that begin the digestion of carbohydrates. When food is in smaller pieces, these enzymes can access more of the food's surface, enhancing the efficiency of digestion.

5. **Conclusion**: Therefore, the major utility of breaking up food into small bites during chewing is to increase the surface area of the food eaten. This facilitates better mixing with saliva and more effective action of digestive enzymes, leading to improved digestion and absorption of nutrients.

**Final Answer**: The correct option is **"to increase surface area of the food eaten up."**

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