Which statement about the large intestine is true?

Which statement about the large intestine is true?

• A. It is primarily involved in the digestion of proteins.
• B. It is not involved in water absorption.
• C. It is primarily responsible for absorbing water and electrolytes.
• D. It is the main site of absorption of most nutrients.

Answer: (C)

The large intestine is where most water and electrolyte absorption occurs, helping to turn the liquid chyme that arrives from the small intestine into solid feces. Its lining supports active sodium and chloride transport, and water follows osmotically, so the body reclaims a large portion of the water it ingested. In addition to this, the large intestine hosts gut bacteria that synthesize vitamins like vitamin K and some B vitamins, and it forms and stores feces. Digestive enzymes and nutrient absorption are minimal here; protein digestion happens mainly earlier in the GI tract—with stomach acid and pepsin for protein breakdown and pancreatic enzymes in the small intestine—not in the large intestine. Since the statement highlights absorbing water and electrolytes as the primary role, it is the true description, whereas claiming it's the main site of nutrient absorption or that it doesn't absorb water, or that it primarily digests proteins, would not fit the anatomy and physiology of this region.

The large intestine is where most water and electrolyte absorption occurs, helping to turn the liquid chyme that arrives from the small intestine into solid feces. Its lining supports active sodium and chloride transport, and water follows osmotically, so the body reclaims a large portion of the water it ingested. In addition to this, the large intestine hosts gut bacteria that synthesize vitamins like vitamin K and some B vitamins, and it forms and stores feces. Digestive enzymes and nutrient absorption are minimal here; protein digestion happens mainly earlier in the GI tract—with stomach acid and pepsin for protein breakdown and pancreatic enzymes in the small intestine—not in the large intestine. Since the statement highlights absorbing water and electrolytes as the primary role, it is the true description, whereas claiming it's the main site of nutrient absorption or that it doesn't absorb water, or that it primarily digests proteins, would not fit the anatomy and physiology of this region.