Question

State one role of each of the following in human digestive system :
(i) Hydrochloric acid
(ii) Villi
(iii) Anal Sphincter
(iv) Lipase

Answer 1

(i) Hydrochloric acid: It creates an acidic medium in the stomach, which activates pepsin for protein digestion.
(ii) Villi: Villi increase the surface area in the small intestine for the absorption of digested nutrients.
(iii) Anal sphincter: It controls the expulsion of undigested food and waste from the body during defecation.
(iv) Lipase: Lipase is an enzyme that breaks down fats into fatty acids and glycerol.