Question #aedc5
1 Answer
The villi and microvilli in the small intestine increase the surface area tremendously, enabling efficient absorption of nutrients.
Explanation:
The small intestine is the main (though not the only) location in the gastrointestinal tract responsible for absorption of nutrients from digested food.
Comprised of three parts - the duodenum (which leads from the stomach through the pyloric sphincter), the jejunum, and the ileum (which leads to the large intestine or colon) - the inner surface of the small intestine is covered with tiny protrusions called villi and microvilli.
These protrusions (or folds) increase the surface area of the liquid food (chyme) that is pushed out of the stomach through the pyloric sphincter, so that more efficient absorption of nutrients takes place while the chyme moves down the small intestine.
