What is the Difference Between Bolus and Chyme?

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The main difference between bolus and chyme lies in their composition and where they are found in the digestive system. Here are the key differences:

  • Bolus:
  1. Bolus is a soft, ball-like food mass that has been mixed with saliva and chewed.
  2. It is an alkaline mixture.
  3. Bolus is formed in the mouth during the chewing process and is then swallowed.
  • Chyme:
  1. Chyme is a semi-liquid, creamy paste that is formed when the bolus reaches the stomach, mixes with gastric juices, and shrinks in size.
  2. It is an acidic mixture.
  3. Chyme is created in the stomach and passes through it into the small intestine for further digestion.

In summary, bolus is a soft, chewed food mass mixed with saliva, while chyme is a semi-liquid, acidic mixture of food and gastric juices that passes from the stomach to the small intestine for further digestion.

Comparative Table: Bolus vs Chyme

Here is a table comparing the differences between bolus and chyme:

Bolus Chyme
Alkaline in nature Acidic in nature
Ball-like food Semi-liquified creamy paste
Soft form of food Liquefied part of the food
Mixture of food and saliva Mixture of food and gastric juice
Formed in the mouth Formed in the stomach
Swallowed into the stomach Passes through the stomach and into the small intestine