Which system processes food for nutrient absorption?

The digestive system is responsible for processing food and facilitating the absorption of nutrients. This system begins with the intake of food and involves various organs, such as the mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, and large intestine.

In the mouth, food is mechanically broken down by chewing and mixed with saliva to begin the digestive process. Once it reaches the stomach, gastric juices further break down the food into a semi-liquid form. The small intestine is where the majority of nutrient absorption occurs; here, enzymes continue to digest food, and the walls of the small intestine, lined with tiny villi, absorb the nutrients into the bloodstream.

The cardiovascular system, on the other hand, is involved in circulating blood and nutrients throughout the body but does not directly process food. The lymph system plays a role in transporting fats and fat-soluble vitamins absorbed from the digestive system, but it does not handle the initial food processing. The endocrine system regulates bodily functions through hormones but does not have a role in the mechanical or chemical breakdown of food.

Thus, the digestive system is the correct answer as it encompasses all the processes required for food processing and nutrient absorption.