The esophagus leads to the stomach. In the stomach, food undergoes both chemical and mechanical digestion. Stomach acids and enzymes break down food into small, digestible parts. Stomach muscles also contract and expand, physically mixing food with these acids and enzymes. When food has been digested into a soupy paste called chyme, the stomach muscles move the chyme into the small intestine.
What role do stomach enzymes play in digestion?
A
They transfer food out of the esophagus.
B
They break down food into smaller parts.
C
They move food down into the intestines.
D
They physically mix food with stomach acid.
B
They break down food into smaller parts.