Which two of the following organs of the digestive system are only involved in the chemical digestion of food
Liver
Esophagus
Stomach
Pancreas
large intestine
Small intestine
Mouth
Pancreas and Liver
The two organs of the digestive system that are primarily involved in the chemical digestion of food are the stomach and the small intestine. The stomach produces enzymes and acid that break down proteins, while the small intestine produces enzymes that break down carbohydrates, proteins, and fats.
The two organs of the digestive system that are only involved in the chemical digestion of food are the stomach and the pancreas.
To arrive at this answer, we need to understand the function of each organ in the digestive system:
1. Liver: The liver is responsible for producing bile, a substance that helps break down fats and aids in their digestion. Although the liver plays an important role in the digestive process, it is not directly involved in the chemical digestion of food.
2. Esophagus: The esophagus is a muscular tube that connects the throat to the stomach. Its primary function is to transport food from the mouth to the stomach. The esophagus does not participate in the chemical digestion of food.
3. Stomach: The stomach is involved in both the mechanical and chemical digestion of food. It secretes gastric juices, including hydrochloric acid and digestive enzymes, such as pepsin. These chemicals break down proteins into smaller molecules.
4. Pancreas: The pancreas is an organ that produces various digestive enzymes, such as amylase, lipase, and protease, which help break down carbohydrates, fats, and proteins, respectively. These enzymes are released into the small intestine to facilitate the chemical breakdown of food.
5. Large Intestine: The large intestine, also known as the colon, primarily absorbs water and electrolytes from undigested food material. It does not participate significantly in chemical digestion.
6. Small Intestine: The small intestine is the longest part of the digestive system and is where most of the chemical digestion and absorption take place. It receives digestive enzymes from the pancreas and bile from the liver to further break down carbohydrates, proteins, and fats and absorb the resulting nutrients.
7. Mouth: The mouth is where the process of digestion begins. Salivary glands in the mouth produce saliva that contains enzymes, such as amylase, which helps break down carbohydrates.
Based on the functions of the organs involved, we can determine that the stomach and the pancreas are the two organs solely responsible for the chemical breakdown of food.