What is the role of the nervous system in digestion?(1 point)
Responses
to provide oxygen
to provide oxygen
to provide electrical signals to initiate peristalsis
to provide electrical signals to initiate peristalsis
to provide enzymes
to provide enzymes
to provide passage of nutrients throughout the body
to provide passage of nutrients throughout the body
The role of the nervous system in digestion is to provide electrical signals to initiate peristalsis.
The correct answer is: to provide electrical signals to initiate peristalsis.
Peristalsis is a series of coordinated muscle contractions that move food through the digestive tract. The nervous system plays a crucial role in initiating and regulating this process. Specifically, the enteric nervous system, which is a specialized network of nerve cells within the lining of the digestive tract, controls peristalsis.
When food enters the digestive tract, sensory receptors in the walls of the digestive organs detect its presence. These receptors send signals to the enteric nervous system, which in turn sends electrical signals to the muscles in the digestive tract. These signals cause the muscles to contract, creating the wave-like movements of peristalsis that propel food forward.
So, the role of the nervous system in digestion is to provide electrical signals to initiate peristalsis.