What does the duodenum primarily do with chyme?

The duodenum plays a crucial role in the digestive system, particularly in the digestion of chyme, which is the semi-liquid mass of partially digested food that enters from the stomach. Its primary function is to further digest this chyme. As chyme enters the duodenum, it is mixed with bile from the liver and digestive juices from the pancreas. Bile helps emulsify fats, making them easier to digest, while pancreatic enzymes break down carbohydrates, proteins, and fats into smaller molecules that can be absorbed in later parts of the digestive system.

While the absorption of nutrients does occur in the duodenum, this process is much more pronounced in the jejunum, which is the next part of the small intestine. The production of bile occurs in the liver, not in the duodenum. Lastly, the duodenum is not involved in the storage of waste, as that function is typically handled by the large intestine. Thus, the correct answer highlights the duodenum's vital role in the further digestion of chyme, preparing nutrients for absorption later in the digestive tract.