Chapter 35, Problem 3A

Summary Introduction

To write:

The correct term that does not belong and explain why it does not belong.

Introduction:

The digestive system breaks down the food so that nutrients can be absorbed by the body. There are three primary functions of the digestive system. The digestive system absorbs food, breaks it down so that nutrients can be absorbed and removes that cannot be digested.

Explanation of Solution

Bile is a fluid which color varies from dark green to yellowish-brown. This fluid is secreted by the liver that helps to break down fats. Amylase is an enzyme found in saliva, begins the process of chemical digestion by breaking down starches into sugars. Peristalsis is a mechanism in which the membrane of the esophagus is lined with smooth muscles, which work rhythmically to pass the food into the digestive tract. Bile and amylase are fluids but peristalsis is a process. Therefore, peristalsis is the odd term.

Conclusion

Thus, peristalsis continues throughout the digestive tract even if a person were upside down, food would still move toward the stomach.