What is the mixture of food particles and gastric juices in the stomach known as?

Chyme refers to the semi-liquid mixture that forms in the stomach as food is digested. When food enters the stomach, it is combined with gastric juices, which are secreted by the stomach lining. These gastric juices contain hydrochloric acid and digestive enzymes that help break down the food into smaller particles. This process transforms the food into a thick, semi-fluid mass, which is essential for further digestion as it moves into the small intestine.

Understanding chyme is key to grasping the digestive process. The formation of chyme allows nutrients to be more readily absorbed as the mixture passes into the small intestine, where further enzymatic digestion and nutrient absorption occur. Other terms present in the options, such as bolus, refer specifically to the mass of food that has been chewed and swallowed, while enzymes and mucus serve different roles in digestion and protection, respectively.