Which of the following is the correct function of the gizzard?
Answer Details
The correct function of the gizzard is grinding of food. The gizzard is a muscular organ in the digestive tract of birds that contains small stones or grits which help in grinding and crushing food particles into smaller pieces. The muscular walls of the gizzard contract and relax, squeezing and grinding the food against the grits or stones, breaking it down into smaller pieces that can be easily digested and absorbed by the bird's digestive system. This process of mechanical digestion is important for birds because they do not have teeth to chew their food like mammals. Therefore, the gizzard serves as a bird's teeth, helping to break down tough food materials such as seeds, grains, and insects.