Which body system digests, breaks down, and absorbs nutrients?

Which body system digests, breaks down, and absorbs nutrients?

• A. Digestive system
• B. Excretory system
• C. Endocrine system
• D. Nervous system

Answer: (A)

Digestion, breakdown, and absorption of nutrients are functions of the digestive system. This system includes the mouth, esophagus, stomach, and intestines, plus accessory organs like the liver, pancreas, and gallbladder. It uses mechanical processes (such as chewing and peristaltic movement) and chemical digestion (saliva, stomach acid, pancreatic enzymes, bile) to break food into small, absorbable molecules. Absorption occurs mainly in the small intestine, where nutrients pass through the lining with the help of villi and microvilli into the bloodstream (and fats into the lymphatic system). The absorbed nutrients then fuel body cells and processes. Other systems have different roles—excretory focuses on waste elimination, endocrine regulates hormones, and nervous coordinates signaling and control—but they don’t carry out the actual digestion and nutrient absorption.

Digestion, breakdown, and absorption of nutrients are functions of the digestive system. This system includes the mouth, esophagus, stomach, and intestines, plus accessory organs like the liver, pancreas, and gallbladder. It uses mechanical processes (such as chewing and peristaltic movement) and chemical digestion (saliva, stomach acid, pancreatic enzymes, bile) to break food into small, absorbable molecules. Absorption occurs mainly in the small intestine, where nutrients pass through the lining with the help of villi and microvilli into the bloodstream (and fats into the lymphatic system). The absorbed nutrients then fuel body cells and processes. Other systems have different roles—excretory focuses on waste elimination, endocrine regulates hormones, and nervous coordinates signaling and control—but they don’t carry out the actual digestion and nutrient absorption.