what is the role of large intestine in human digestion
Answers
function of the large intestine. The major function of the large intestine is to absorb water from the remaining indigestible food matter and transmit the useless waste material from the body.
Answer:-
→ Functions of the large intestine:-
- The large intestine performs several important functions in digestion.
Its main functions are:
• Absorbing water:
- Completing the process of digestion that largely takes place in the small intestine.
- It takes nearly 24 to 30 hours to complete the digestive process.
- Further digestion or breaking down of nutrients does not take place here but it helps by absorbing water and making the stools solid.
• Absorption of vitamins:
- The large intestine also helps in absorption of vitamins made by bacteria that normally live in the large intestine.
• Reducing acidity and protecting from infections:
- The mucosa of the large intestine also secretes bicarbonates to neutralise the increased acidity resulting from the formation of these fatty acids and other digestive components at earlier parts of the intestines.
• Producing antibodies:
- The large intestine, particularly the appendix, is a confluence of several lymphoid tissues.
- These play an important role in immunity.
- The lymphoid tissues of the large intestine also help in the production of antibodies and cross reactive antibodies.
- These antibodies are produced by the immune system.