Final answer:
Peristalsis is the wave-like muscle contractions that move food through the digestive tract, occurring in the mouth, pharynx, esophagus, small intestine, and colon.
Step-by-step explanation:
Peristalsis is a process that refers to the wave-like muscle contractions which move food through the digestive tract. This process is essential for the propulsion of food from the moment it is swallowed until it is expelled from the body as waste. The following parts of the digestive system where peristalsis occurs are:
All of these areas mentioned in the options a through e are correct and are involved in the process of peristalsis. Other facts about the digestive system include mechanical digestion occurring in the structures such as the mouth and pharynx, while chemical digestion processes, like the emulsification of lipids by bile, primarily occur in the small intestine.