Question

Why does the absorption of digested food occur mainly in the small intestine?

Answer 1

Absorption of food:

1. The majority of the nutrients in our meal are absorbed in our small intestine before being transported by our circulatory system to other areas of our body for storage or utilization.
2. A special type of cell helps nutrients pass through the gut lining and into circulation.
3. The small intestine has a vast interior surface area, which makes it good for absorption.
4. This is created by the plicae circulares, which project numerous microscopic tissue structures that resemble fingers and are known as villi.
5. The surface area for absorbing digested food is increased by these finger-like projections or vili.
6. Additionally, the intestine's walls are lined with blood veins that carry absorbed food to all of the body's cells.
7. The pancreas, liver, and intestines' digestive juices combine with the meal as it is moved forward for further digestion by the small intestine's muscles.
8. Our small intestine's walls allow water and nutrients that have been digested to enter our bloodstream.