Question
State two ways by which the ileum is adapted for absorption of food materials?
Answer
- It is long to provide large surface area for absorption.
- It is numerous to bring digested food into close contact with walls of the ileum for easier absorption.
- Highly coiled to slow down movement of food, allowing more time for absorption.
- Higher surface has large number of villi and micro-villi which increase the surface area for absorption of end products of digestion.
- Presence of thin layer of cells through which digested food diffuses.
- Presence of tense network of blood capillaries in villi into which nutrients are absorbed.
- Presence of lacteals in the villi for absorption of fatty acids and glycerol.
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