DELHI PUBLIC SCHOOL

CHAPTER 2 (NUTRITION IN ANIMALS)

CLASS-VII
ASSIGNMENT-4

Q1. What is peristalsis?

Ans. Peristalsis is a wave like action of the muscles to push the food down
inside the stomach. This movement takes place throughout the
alimentary canal to push the food forward.

Q2. What are enzymes? Give examples.

Ans. Enzymes are proteins that act as catalysts to initiate chemical reactions in the
body.
e.g. Amylase present in the saliva helps to break down starch.
Pepsin present in the stomach break down proteins.

Q3. How long does food stay in the stomach?

Ans. Food stays in the stomach from few minutes to few hours depending
on the type of food eaten.

Q4. What happens to food inside the stomach?

Ans. The inner lining of the stomach secretes gastric juice.
 The gastric juice contains three substances:
a) Hydrochloric acid b) enzyme pepsin c) mucus.
 The hydrochloric creates an acidic medium which facilitates the action of the
enzyme pepsin to break proteins into simple substances.
 The acid kills many bacteria that enter along with the food.
 Mucus protects the inner lining of the stomach from hydrochloric acid.

Q5.What is the role of small intestine during the process of digestion?

Ans. After leaving stomach food enters small intestine and last steps of
digestion takes place in small intestine.
 It receives secretions from liver and pancreas and wall of small intestine also
secrets juices.
  Liver:- Liver is the largest gland in the body and is situated in the upper part
of the abdomen on the right side. It secrets bile juice that is stored in gall
bladder
 Pancreas:- It is located just below the stomach. It secretes pancreatic juice
that converts starch ,fats and proteins into simple form.
 The partly digested food now reaches the lower part of the small
 The walls of the small intestine secretes intestinal juice The enzymes present
in it finally convert the proteins into amino acids, complex
carbohydrates into glucose and fats into fatty acids and glycerol.

Q6. Draw well labeled diagram of human digestive system.