
Megan B. answered 02/26/23
MS & DPD in Nutrition with 2+ years tutoring experience
Answer: Chemical digestion: b) occurs when enzymes break apart large molecules into smaller molecules.
There are two types of digestion, mechanical and chemical. Option A refers to segmentation, which is a mechanical part of digestion that continues the physical breakdown of chyme before entering the large intestine for final absorption processes. Option C refers to peristalsis, the mechanical process involving constriction and relaxation of muscles that moves food along the digestive tract. Finally, option D refers to mastication, which is the mechanical process of chewing food, allowing it to pass through the esophagus for further digestion. There is some chemical digestion that begins in the mouth, but that is separate from the process of mastication. Chemical digestion is the process of chemical reactions, involving enzymes and acids, that breaks down food into smaller molecules, allowing our digestive system to absorb the nutrients and enter the bloodstream for use from our body. This makes option B the correct choice.