Mixture of food and saliva in oral cavity is called

Answer

**Step-by-Step Solution:**

1. **Understanding the Components**: The question asks about the mixture of food and saliva in the oral cavity. Saliva is produced by the salivary glands and contains enzymes and mucus.

2. **Chewing Process**: When we chew food, it is mechanically broken down into smaller pieces. This process increases the surface area of the food, making it easier for enzymes to act on it.

3. **Formation of the Mixture**: As we chew, the food mixes with saliva. The saliva moistens the food and helps in forming a cohesive mass.

4. **Characteristics of the Mixture**: The mixture of food and saliva forms a ball-like structure due to the action of saliva, which contains mucus that binds the food particles together.

5. **Terminology**: This ball-like structure formed in the oral cavity is specifically known as a "bolus."

6. **Role of Saliva**: Saliva contains enzymes such as salivary amylase, which begins the digestion of starches into sugars. The mucus in saliva helps lubricate the bolus, making it easier to swallow.

7. **Conclusion**: Therefore, the correct answer to the question is that the mixture of food and saliva in the oral cavity is called a "bolus."

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