Which body system breaks down food and absorbs nutrients?

Which body system breaks down food and absorbs nutrients?

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

Answer: (A)

Processing and absorbing nutrients comes from the digestive system. It begins with mechanical and chemical digestion in the mouth, continues as food travels to the stomach where acids and enzymes break it down further, and then moves to the small intestine where most nutrients are absorbed. The small intestine has a large surface area with villi and microvilli to maximize nutrient uptake into the bloodstream, with help from pancreatic enzymes and bile for fats. Water absorption and some vitamins occur later in the large intestine. The other systems aren’t responsible for breaking down food and absorbing nutrients: the respiratory system handles breathing, while the nervous and endocrine systems regulate and coordinate body functions rather than digesting food itself.

Processing and absorbing nutrients comes from the digestive system. It begins with mechanical and chemical digestion in the mouth, continues as food travels to the stomach where acids and enzymes break it down further, and then moves to the small intestine where most nutrients are absorbed. The small intestine has a large surface area with villi and microvilli to maximize nutrient uptake into the bloodstream, with help from pancreatic enzymes and bile for fats. Water absorption and some vitamins occur later in the large intestine. The other systems aren’t responsible for breaking down food and absorbing nutrients: the respiratory system handles breathing, while the nervous and endocrine systems regulate and coordinate body functions rather than digesting food itself.