Question

State the function of saliva.

Answer 1

Hint:- Saliva is the watery substance produced in the mouths of some animals, humans also produce saliva in their mouth. The main functions of saliva are taste sensation, mastication, bolus formation,enzymatic digestion, and swallowing.

Complete step-by-step solution:-
Saliva is the watery substance produced in the mouth. It contains many important substances
like electrolytes, mucus, antibacterial compounds and many enzymes for the digestion of the food. In
humans, saliva is made up of 99.5⁠% water with electrolytes, mucus, white blood cells, epithelial cells,
enzymes (like amylase and lipase), some antimicrobial agents such as secretory IgA, and lysozymes.
When we chew the food, the production of saliva increases. The main function of the saliva is to wash
away food debris and bacteria from the mouth, which prevent caries and gingivitis.
Some important functions of saliva are:
chemical digestion of food: saliva breaks down starch by the function of an enzyme called salivary
amylase.Saliva helps in chewing and swallowing of food.Lubricating effect: it moisturizes the inner mouth to protect mucous membranes and helps in smooth speech.Saliva dissolves food so that we can taste the food by tongue.Saliva washes away food particles and bacteria remaining in the mouth which may lead to various mouth diseases.Saliva contains Lysozyme, peroxidase and lactoferrin which fight against the disease causingmicroorganisms.Saliva prevents sudden changes in pH of the mouth.Saliva supplies calcium and phosphorus, to teeth or help in remineralisation of the teeth.

Note:- The lack of saliva in the mouth may lead to dryness and stickiness in the mouth, bad breath,difficulty in chewing and speaking, sore throat, dry tongue, change in taste sensation and some mouth diseases. State the function of saliva.