Mastication is important because

Options

A. It minimizes damage to the gut mucosa
B. To allow ptyalin to act for a long time
C. To increase surface area of food particles
D. To destroy protective covering of food

Answer

### Step-by-Step Solution

1. **Understanding Mastication**:
- Mastication refers to the process of chewing food. It involves breaking down food into smaller pieces using the teeth, which grind and churn the food.

2. **Involved Organs**:
- The primary organs involved in mastication are:
- **Teeth**: They grind and break down food.
- **Tongue**: It helps in pushing food towards the teeth for effective chewing.
- **Palate**: It provides a platform for chewing.

3. **Importance of Mastication**:
- The main reasons mastication is important include:
- **Breakdown of Large Food Particles**: Chewing reduces the size of food particles, making them easier to digest.
- **Increased Surface Area**: Smaller food particles have a larger surface area, which enhances the efficiency of digestive enzymes acting on the food.
- **Facilitates Digestion**: The process of chewing allows salivary enzymes, like salivary amylase, to mix with food, starting the digestion of carbohydrates.

4. **Evaluating the Options**:
- **Minimizes Damage to Gut Mucosa**: Incorrect. While mastication does not damage the gut mucosa, it does not specifically minimize damage either.
- **Allows Salivary Amylase to Act for a Long Time**: Partially correct, as chewing does mix food with saliva, but this is not the primary reason for mastication.
- **Increases Surface Area of Food Particles**: Correct. This is the main reason mastication is important, as it aids in digestion.
- **Destroys Protective Covering of Food**: Incorrect. Food does not have a protective covering that needs to be destroyed.

5. **Conclusion**:
- The most significant advantage of mastication is that it **increases the surface area of food particles**, facilitating better digestion.

### Final Answer:
Mastication is important because it increases the surface area of food particles, which enhances digestion.

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