Question

1. What are peristalsis and segmentation? Describe each in detail.

Answer 1

Answer. Peristaltic movements occur due to the contraction of the circular muscles. This type of movement is quite noticeable in the oesophagus that helps in transporting bolus from mouth to the stomach. This helps in the high speed propagation of food. Movement occurs in one way.

Segmentation occurs due to the contraction of the longitudinal muscles. It occurs in the small and the large intestine, which leads to slow speed propagation of food. Movement is from both the sides thus this movement helps in better mixing of food.