Questions: In which organ does most chemical digestion take place?
Stomach
Mouth
Small intestine
Large intestine
Transcript text: In which organ does most chemical digestion take place?
Stomach
Mouth
Small intestine
Large intestine
Solution
The answer is the third one: Small intestine.
Explanation for each option:
Stomach: The stomach is primarily responsible for the mechanical breakdown of food and the initial stages of protein digestion through the action of gastric juices. However, it is not where most chemical digestion occurs.
Mouth: The mouth is where digestion begins, with mechanical digestion through chewing and chemical digestion of carbohydrates by enzymes in saliva. However, the extent of chemical digestion in the mouth is limited compared to other parts of the digestive system.
Small intestine: The small intestine is the primary site for chemical digestion and nutrient absorption. It receives digestive enzymes from the pancreas and bile from the liver, which help break down carbohydrates, proteins, and fats into their absorbable units.
Large intestine: The large intestine is mainly involved in absorbing water and electrolytes from indigestible food matter and forming waste. It does not play a significant role in chemical digestion.
In summary, most chemical digestion takes place in the small intestine.