The small intestine is specialized for ________.

A) mechanical breakdown of food
B) absorption
C) chemical digestion
D) none of the above

Absorption

The process by which substances are taken up and assimilated into the body, such as nutrients from the digestive tract into the bloodstream.

Mechanical Breakdown

The physical process of breaking food into smaller pieces, an essential part of digestion.

Chemical Digestion

The process of breaking down food in the gut into smaller components, using enzymes, so they can be absorbed into the body.