38.1k views
1 vote
What is the term for food that is in a thin, watery liquid form and is absorbed by the body?

1 Answer

6 votes

Final answer:

Chyme is the term for food in a thin, watery liquid form that is absorbed by the body. Absorption occurs mainly in the small intestine, and defecation removes undigested material. The body's hydration is maintained by absorbing water from chyme in the intestines.

Step-by-step explanation:

The term for food that is in a thin, watery liquid form and is absorbed by the body is chyme. After the digestion process, food becomes a thick, semi-liquid mixture called chyme in the gastrointestinal tract. This chyme, which has a high water concentration, moves down its concentration gradient into the epithelial cells during its time in the small intestine.

Absorption is the process by which the nutrients pass into the bloodstream or lymphatic system to be utilized by the body. It primarily occurs in the small intestine where nutrients move into the bloodstream. The large intestine absorbs the majority of the remaining water, turning the liquid chyme residue into semisolid feces or stool. Once the useful nutrients have been absorbed, the undigested materials are expelled from the body through defecation.

The body absorbs about 90 percent of water ingestion through the small intestine and the colon. This absorption is essential for converting chyme into stool and supporting the body's hydration needs.

User Justin Meiners
by
7.8k points
Welcome to QAmmunity.org, where you can ask questions and receive answers from other members of our community.