Question

What is the role of roughages in the alimentary tract?

Answer 1

We are familiar with the word alimentary tract or alimentary canal i.e. the major part of the digestive system, it helps to pass the food from mouth to the anus. It is an 8-10 meters long muscular tube which runs throughout the body. Roughage is considered to be dietary fibers.

Complete answer:
The alimentary tract has two openings i.e. mouth from which food intake is done and the anus from which food is excreted out of the body.
The alimentary canal consists of: Mouth, Teeth, Salivary glands, Tongue, Pharynx, Oesophagus, Stomach, Small intestine, Large intestine, Anus.
Roughage is fibrous indigestible material in food which helps the passage of food and waste products through the stomach. Roughage do not provide any nutrients to our body but they play a very important part of a healthy diet and they are present in carbohydrates as well as proteins.
In terms to obtain proper working of the intestine it is very essential to have roughage included in the diet. Roughage food includes apple, pear, grapes, grains, green leaf vegetables, etc.
The main functions of roughages are: They help in movement of food through the alimentary canal as well as in proper bowel movement, Helps to prevent constipation and to get rid of undigested food, It also helps in retaining water in the body.

Thus, the above mentioned are the most important role of roughages in the alimentary tract or canal.

Note: Roughages are fibrous indigestible material in food. Roughage do not provide any type of nutrients to our body but they are essential to maintain a healthy diet. They absorb water as they pass from the large intestine and this helps in easy excretion of the faeces.