Chewing is required for

Options

A. Solbilisation of food
B. Enjoying the taste of food
C. Decreasing the surface area of food
D. Increasing the surface area of food

Answer

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

1. **Understanding Chewing**: Chewing is a mechanical process that occurs in the mouth when food is taken in. It involves the use of teeth to break down food into smaller pieces.

2. **Mechanical Digestion**: This process is the first step of digestion, known as mechanical digestion. It prepares food for further digestion by increasing its surface area.

3. **Function of Teeth**: The teeth play a crucial role in chewing. They cut and grind the food, transforming large pieces into smaller particles.

4. **Increasing Surface Area**: The primary purpose of chewing is to increase the surface area of the food particles. This is important because a larger surface area allows for more effective action by enzymes and saliva.

5. **Role of Saliva**: Once the food is chewed into smaller pieces, saliva from the salivary glands can more easily act on these particles. Saliva contains enzymes that begin the chemical digestion of food.

6. **Formation of Bolus**: The chewed food, now in smaller pieces with increased surface area, is formed into a soft mass called a bolus, which can be easily swallowed and moved down the esophagus.

7. **Conclusion**: Therefore, the correct answer to the question "Chewing is required for" is "increasing the surface area of food."

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