How does the digestive system break down food?

The digestive system breaks down food through both mechanical and chemical processes, which is why this answer is correct.

Mechanical digestion involves the physical breakdown of food into smaller pieces, which occurs in the mouth when we chew, as well as in the stomach where the food is churned. This process increases the surface area of the food, making it easier for enzymes to act on it later.

Chemical digestion, on the other hand, involves the breakdown of food into its molecular components by enzymes and digestive juices. This occurs primarily in the stomach and small intestine, where various enzymes break down proteins, carbohydrates, and fats into their constituent molecules, such as amino acids, simple sugars, and fatty acids.

The combination of these two processes ensures that food is effectively transformed into nutrients that the body can absorb and utilize. Thus, both the mechanical action of breaking food into smaller pieces and the chemical action of enzymes work together to facilitate digestion.