Question

1. Is small intestine involved in chemical digestion, mechanical digestion, or both?

2. Is large intestine invovled in chemical digestion, mechanical digestion, or both?

Answer 1

1.The small intestine is about 20 feet (6 meters) long and has three parts: the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum. The duodenum is where most chemical digestion takes place. Here, bile from the gallbladder and enzymes from the pancreas and intestinal walls combine with the chyme to begin the final part of digestion.Bile liquid is created in the liver and stored in the gallbladder. Bile emulsifies (breaks into small particles) lipids (fats), which aids in the mechanical digestion of fats.

Hence , we can say that both chemical and mechanical digestion occur in small intestine.

2.The 4 major functions of the large intestine are:

*reabsorption of water and mineral ions such as sodium and chloride

*formation and temporary storage of faeces

*maintaining a resident population of over 500 speciesof bacteria

*bacterial fermentation of indigestible materials.

Non of the function of large intestine involve chemical or mechanical digestion.

Hence, we can say that neither chemical digestion or mechanical digestion occur in large intestine.