Given a carbohydrate-rich meal, trace the main sequence of enzymes and organs that break starch into absorbable glucose and state whether the final products enter the blood or the lymph. Analyze the pathway to choose the best description.

• A. Bile salts emulsify starch in the duodenum allowing direct absorption of intact polysaccharides into the blood without enzymatic cleavage
• B. Lipase secreted by the stomach digests starch to glucose which is then absorbed into lymphatic vessels and transported via lacteals to systemic circulation
• C. Proteases in the mouth convert starch to glucose which is then packaged into chylomicrons and transported through lymph nodes to blood
• D. Salivary amylase begins starch digestion in the mouth, pancreatic amylase continues digestion in the small intestine, brush-border enzymes finish to produce glucose which is absorbed into the blood via portal circulation

Answer: (D)