Which term best fits the enzymatic breakdown of foods into smaller molecules?

Which term best fits the enzymatic breakdown of foods into smaller molecules?

• A. Chemical digestion
• B. Mechanical processing
• C. Absorption
• D. Secretion

Answer: (A)

Enzymatic breakdown of foods into smaller molecules is chemical digestion. Enzymes catalyze hydrolysis reactions that split large food polymers (like starch, proteins, and fats) into their smaller building blocks (sugars, amino acids, and fatty acids). This represents a chemical change in the molecules driven by digestive enzymes and secretions. Mechanical processing, on the other hand, is physical grinding and mixing that breaks food apart without altering chemical bonds. Absorption is the uptake of digested nutrients into the bloodstream or lymph, and secretion is the release of digestive fluids into the gut—both occur at different stages and aren’t the actual chemical breakdown. So the term that fits enzymatic breakdown into smaller molecules is chemical digestion.

Enzymatic breakdown of foods into smaller molecules is chemical digestion. Enzymes catalyze hydrolysis reactions that split large food polymers (like starch, proteins, and fats) into their smaller building blocks (sugars, amino acids, and fatty acids). This represents a chemical change in the molecules driven by digestive enzymes and secretions. Mechanical processing, on the other hand, is physical grinding and mixing that breaks food apart without altering chemical bonds. Absorption is the uptake of digested nutrients into the bloodstream or lymph, and secretion is the release of digestive fluids into the gut—both occur at different stages and aren’t the actual chemical breakdown. So the term that fits enzymatic breakdown into smaller molecules is chemical digestion.