How do teeth aid in the process of digestion?

• A. They produce bile to emulsify fats in the mouth.
• B. They mechanically break down food into smaller pieces, increasing the surface area for enzymes to act upon.
• C. They secrete digestive enzymes that chemically digest carbohydrates.
• D. They absorb nutrients directly from food into the bloodstream.

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the role of teeth in digestion: Teeth are part of the mechanical digestion process, which involves physically breaking down food into smaller pieces.
2. Recognize that teeth do not produce bile. Bile is produced by the liver and stored in the gallbladder, and its role is to emulsify fats in the small intestine, not the mouth.
3. Clarify that teeth do not secrete digestive enzymes. Enzymes like amylase are secreted by salivary glands in the mouth to chemically digest carbohydrates.
4. Note that teeth do not absorb nutrients directly from food. Nutrient absorption occurs in the small intestine after food has been broken down into its simplest forms.
5. Conclude that the primary function of teeth in digestion is mechanical breakdown, which increases the surface area of food for enzymes to act upon during chemical digestion.