BioMedical Admissions Test (BMAT) 2026 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

The primary function of the large intestine is to absorb water from the remaining indigestible food matter and to compact that material into feces for excretion. This process is crucial for maintaining the body’s hydration levels and ensuring that water is not lost unnecessarily, which is particularly important given that a significant amount of water is consumed and processed by the digestive system daily.

While the large intestine does play a role in the final stages of digestion, its main purpose is not nutrient absorption as seen in the small intestine, where the majority of nutrient uptake occurs. Additionally, the large intestine does not produce digestive enzymes; that function is primarily attributed to the stomach and small intestine where enzymes break down food into absorbable units. The secretion of bile is performed by the liver and stored in the gallbladder; it aids in the digestion of fats and is not a function of the large intestine. Thus, absorbing water is the primary and most significant function of the large intestine.