Final answer:
The alimentary canal consists of the mouth, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, and large intestine. It is responsible for the ingestion, digestion, absorption of nutrients, and expulsion of waste. Accessory organs, while crucial for digestion, are not part of the canal itself.
Step-by-step explanation:
The alimentary canal, also known as the digestive tube, is a continuous tube that starts at the mouth and ends at the anus. This canal includes several key organs through which food passes, is digested, nutrients absorbed, and waste expelled. The correct answer to the question of what the alimentary canal consists of is d) Mouth, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine. These structures and organs work in a coordinated fashion to process food from the moment it is ingested until it leaves the body as waste.
The alimentary canal has several important components:
The mouth, where digestion begins with mechanical and chemical processes.
The pharynx and esophagus, which transport food to the stomach.
The stomach, where food is mixed with digestive juices and further broken down.
The small intestine, where most digestion and nutrient absorption occurs.
The large intestine, where water is reabsorbed and waste is prepared for expulsion.
Accessory organs, such as the liver, gallbladder, and pancreas, also play a critical role in digestion by producing enzymes and bile necessary for the breakdown of food, but they are not part of the alimentary canal itself.