Final answer:
The primary functions of the large intestine are the resorption of water and compaction of feces, not the chemical digestion of chyme or absorption of digestion products, which primarily occur in the small intestine.
Step-by-step explanation:
Functions of the Large Intestine
The primary functions of the large intestine include the resorption of water, compaction of feces, and the absorption of vitamins and minerals. Its role in digestion is crucial after most of the nutrients have been absorbed in the small intestine. The large intestine is composed of the cecum, colon, and rectum. The colon, divided into the ascending, transverse, descending, and sigmoid colon, is responsible for water and salt absorption from indigestible food material, with the aid of the intestinal flora present. This process transforms the chyme into solid feces, which is then stored in the rectum until eliminated during defecation.
The correct answer to the question about the functions of the large intestine is: d. resorption of water and compaction of feces. While it is true that the large intestine does play a role in absorbing some nutrients, these are primarily water, vitamins, and minerals, rather than the products of digestion, which are primarily absorbed in the small intestine.