The digestive system breaks down food into:
A. nutrients
B. amylase
C. saliva
D. sphincters
a. nutrients
- Correct: The digestive system breaks down food into nutrients. These nutrients include carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals, and water, which are essential for various physiological functions in the body. Once broken down into nutrients through mechanical and chemical digestion, these substances are absorbed by the intestines and transported via the bloodstream to cells throughout the body for energy production, growth, repair, and other metabolic processes.
b. amylase
- Incorrect: Amylase is an enzyme involved in the digestion of carbohydrates. It is produced by salivary glands in the mouth and by the pancreas and helps break down complex carbohydrates into simpler sugars. While amylase is an important component of the digestive process, it is not the end product of digestion.
c. saliva
- Incorrect: Saliva is a fluid secreted by salivary glands in the mouth. It contains water, electrolytes, mucus, and enzymes such as amylase. Saliva helps moisten food, initiate the digestion of carbohydrates, and facilitate swallowing, but it is not the end product of digestion.
d. sphincters
- Incorrect: Sphincters are ring-like muscles that control the movement of materials through various parts of the digestive tract by opening and closing. While sphincters play a crucial role in regulating the flow of food and waste through the digestive system, they are not the end products of digestion.
Therefore, the Correct Answer is A.