Question

The human intestine is long because:

• A. It allows the gradual killing of bacteria in the food.
• B. It provides more surface for food storage.
• C. It increases surface area for absorption of food.
• D. There is much space left in the abdominal cavity.

Answer 1

The correct option is C It increases surface area for absorption of food.

The human intestine is a long tube-like structure. It includes small and large intestines. The small intestine comprises the duodenum, jejunum and ileum and measures about 6 metres in length. The food received from the stomach is continually mixed and stirred for further digestion in the small intestine. There are small finger-like structures called villi present all along the surface of the small intestine which helps in the absorption of nutrients, carbohydrates and fats by increasing the surface area.

The large intestine comprises the caecum, colon and rectum and measures about 1.5 metres in length. Here, the reabsorption of water takes place and faeces are formed.

Thus, if the intestines were short, the efficient absorption of all nutrients from food would not occur.

So, the correct option is C.