In which two organs is food broken down
A. Mouth and stomach
B. Esophagus and small intestines
C. Small intestine and large intestine
D. Esophagus and stomach
A. Mouth and stomach
Food is broken down in the mouth and stomach. Therefore, the correct answer is A. Mouth and stomach.
The correct answer is A. Mouth and stomach.
To understand why, let's go through the process of how food gets broken down in the human digestive system.
1. The process starts in the mouth, where food is physically broken down by chewing and moistened by saliva. This mechanical and enzymatic action begins the process of digestion.
2. After being chewed and moistened, food travels down the esophagus, a muscular tube that connects the mouth to the stomach. The esophagus does not play a direct role in breaking down food.
3. Next, the food reaches the stomach. In the stomach, food is further broken down through muscular contractions, mixing it with stomach acid and digestive enzymes. This process, known as chemical digestion, continues the breakdown of food into a semi-liquid substance called chyme.
4. From the stomach, the food moves to the small intestine. The small intestine is the primary site of nutrient absorption and where the majority of food breakdown occurs. It is lined with specialized cells that produce enzymes to break down carbohydrates, proteins, and fats into smaller molecules.
5. Lastly, any remaining undigested food, along with waste products, moves into the large intestine or colon. The large intestine's primary function is to reabsorb water and electrolytes from the undigested food, forming feces for elimination.
Therefore, the correct answer is A. Food is broken down in the mouth, primarily through chewing and saliva, and continues in the stomach through muscular contractions and enzymatic action.