Question

The products of digestion are a. large macromolecules needed by the body. b. enzymes needed to digest food. c. small nutrient molecules that can be absorbed. d. regulatory hormones of various kinds. e. the food we eat.

Short answer

The correct answer is (c) small nutrient molecules that can be absorbed. Digestion breaks down large macromolecules into smaller, more manageable nutrient molecules that our body can absorb and use.

Step-by-step solution

Understand the Concept of Digestion

Digestion is the process by which food is broken down into smaller components that can be easily absorbed by the body. This process involves mechanical and chemical processes, with the help of enzymes. The main purpose of digestion is to break down large macromolecules into smaller, more manageable nutrient molecules that our body can use.

Analyze Each Option

Now, let's analyze each option one by one to find the correct answer: a. large macromolecules needed by the body: This is not correct because digestion breaks down macromolecules, it does not produce them. b. enzymes needed to digest food: Enzymes are essential during digestion, but they help in the process and are not the final product of digestion. c. small nutrient molecules that can be absorbed: This could be correct, as the main goal of digestion is to break down the food into smaller molecules that can be absorbed and used by the body. d. regulatory hormones of various kinds: This is incorrect; although some hormones help regulate the digestive process, they are not the products of digestion. e. the food we eat: This is incorrect because the food we eat is what our body starts with, not the end result after digestion.

Choose the Correct Answer

After analyzing each option, the correct answer is c. small nutrient molecules that can be absorbed. These small molecules are the products of digestion and can be absorbed into the bloodstream to provide the body with essential nutrients it needs for proper functioning.