Final answer:
The removal of water from intestinal contents primarily occurs through the process of absorption (option a), especially in the large intestine after most nutrients have been absorbed in the small intestine. Intestinal flora in the colon contribute to this process before feces are stored in the rectum for elimination.
Step-by-step explanation:
The major process that involves the removal of water from intestinal contents is absorption. This crucial step takes place primarily in the large intestine, where undigested food material is processed. Nutrients, electrolytes, and water are absorbed throughout the alimentary canal, but specifically, water is reabsorbed in significant amounts in the large intestine to prevent dehydration and maintain the body's fluid balance.
The process begins in the small intestine where most nutrients and water absorption occurs, but the final removal of water continues in the large intestine. Here, water is extracted from the undigested material, and as the semi-solid waste is moved through the colon by peristaltic movements, it is transformed into feces ready for elimination. Notably, intestinal flora present in the colon also aid in digestion, and the rectum stores the fecal matter until it's ready to be expelled from the body.