Final answer:
The nutritional term Chyme refers to the thick, semi-liquid mixture that food in the gastrointestinal tract becomes by the time it leaves the stomach.
Step-by-step explanation:
Chyme is a nutritional term that refers to the semi-fluid mixture of partially digested food, water, and digestive enzymes that moves from the stomach to the small intestine during digestion. The term is derived from the Greek word "chymos," which means juice or sap.
After food is broken down in the stomach through mechanical and chemical digestion, it forms chyme, which is then released into the small intestine for further digestion and absorption of nutrients. The chyme's composition is crucial for the efficient absorption of nutrients in the intestines. This process exemplifies the dynamic nature of the digestive system, where the body transforms ingested food into a form that allows for optimal nutrient extraction and utilization in the body.