Final answer:
The accessory digestive organs produce secretions including bile and enzymes that are essential for the chemical breakdown of food in the small intestine. These secretions are regulated by digestive hormones such as secretin and cholecystokinin (CCK).
Step-by-step explanation:
The accessory digestive organs produce secretions that facilitate the chemical digestive activities of GI tract organs. Within the mouth, the teeth and tongue begin mechanical digestion, whereas the salivary glands initiate chemical digestion with the release of saliva. The liver, gallbladder, and pancreas all play key roles in digestion by producing and secreting bile and enzymes. These secretions are critical for the digestion process as they break down food products once they enter the small intestine.
Accessory organs such as the liver, gallbladder, and pancreas are regulated by hormones like secretin and cholecystokinin (CCK). These hormones are responsible for stimulating the release of the necessary secretions that assist in breaking down food into nutrients. For example, CCK stimulates the secretion of pancreatic enzymes and the release of bile, which are essential for the digestion of fats.