Final answer:
The primary function of the large intestine is to absorb water and compact undigested material into solid waste, preparing it for excretion. This organ is also involved in synthesizing certain vitamins and houses intestinal flora that assist in these processes.
Step-by-step explanation:
The primary function of the large intestine is centered around absorbing water and compacting material into feces, ultimately preparing it for excretion. This process ensures that the undigested food material becomes more solid as water and mineral salts are extracted. The large intestine, which is relatively shorter in carnivorous mammals and longer in herbivorous mammals due to their different diets, is also where certain vitamins are synthesized by the intestinal flora.
The large intestine can be divided into three main parts: the cecum, the colon, and the rectum. The cecum is the initial pouch receiving waste from the small intestine, and the colon is further divided into four regions—ascending, transverse, descending, and sigmoid—each playing a role in water reabsorption and waste processing. The rectum finally stores the fecal matter before it is eliminated through the anus. Conclusively, while other options like nutrient processing and metabolizing, bile production, and storage are important digestive functions, they are not performed by the large intestine. Instead, the correct answer to the function of the large intestine is C) absorbing water and compacting material into solid waste.