Question

The swallowed food moves downwards in the alimentary canal because of

Options

• the force provided by the muscular tongue

• the flow of water taken with the food.

• gravitational pull

• the contraction of muscles in the wall of the food pipe

Answer 1

the contraction of muscles in the wall of the food pipe

Explanation:

The muscles of the oesophagus gently push the food down to the stomach in a wave-like action (contractions and relaxations) called peristalsis. Actually, this movement takes place throughout the alimentary canal to push the food forward.