The small intestine couldn't work without the what because fats couldn't be broken down

The answer is the pancreas

Explanation:

The pancreas is a gland organ that is responsible for producing enzymes that break down food into nutrients that goes into the small intestine to break up starches and fats.

Chemical digestion and absorption are the processes that take place in the small intestine,

the pancreas, because it produces enzymes that breaks down fat, proteins and carbs