Where in the Digestive Tract Does Most of the Absorption

Question

Where in the digestive tract does most of the absorption of nutrients take place?
A) the large intestine
B) the small intestine
C) the rectum
D) the stomach
E) the esophagus

Accepted Answer

Most of the absorption of nutrients occurs in the small intestine, where the majority of digestion also takes place. The large intestine primarily absorbs water and electrolytes, while the rectum is responsible for storing feces until elimination. The stomach is primarily responsible for breaking down food through mechanical and chemical digestion, but very little absorption occurs here. The esophagus is solely responsible for transporting food from the mouth to the stomach and does not play a role in absorption.