What stores and digests food absorbs nutrients?

The small intestine is the primary site for digesting and absorbing nutrients. Here's a breakdown:

Digesting:

* Breakdown of food: The small intestine receives partially digested food from the stomach, along with digestive juices from the pancreas and liver. Enzymes in these juices break down proteins, carbohydrates, and fats into smaller molecules that the body can absorb.

* Mixing and movement: Muscles in the small intestine walls churn and mix the food with digestive juices, ensuring proper digestion.

Absorbing:

* Villi and microvilli: The small intestine's inner lining is covered in tiny finger-like projections called villi, which are further covered in even smaller projections called microvilli. These structures increase the surface area for absorption, maximizing nutrient uptake.

* Absorption: The small molecules of digested food pass through the villi and microvilli into the bloodstream, where they are transported throughout the body.

Other parts of the digestive system also play roles in digesting and absorbing nutrients:

* Mouth: Mechanical digestion begins in the mouth, where teeth break down food and saliva starts breaking down carbohydrates.

* Stomach: The stomach churns food and mixes it with gastric juices, which break down proteins.

* Large intestine: The large intestine absorbs water and electrolytes from the remaining food matter.

While the small intestine is the primary site for digestion and absorption, it's important to remember that the entire digestive system works together as a complex and coordinated system to process food and extract the nutrients our bodies need.