Question
State and explain how the mammalian small intestines are adapted to perform their function.
Answer
i. It is relatively long; to increase the surface area for absorption of food and for digestion;
ii. Lumen has many per villi unit area; to increase the surface area for absorption of food; villi have microvilli to increase the surface area for absorption of food;
iii. It's walls have glands which secrete enzymes that complete digestion; acc names of enzymes.
iv. Walls have goblet cells; which secrete mucus; for lubrication of food / walls; and protect the walls from digestive enzymes;
v. Presence of circular and longitudinal muscles; that allow mixing of food by peristalsis;
vi. It is coiled /folded; to slow down movement of food/ to give food enough time for digestion;
vii. Intestines are richly supplied with blood; to supply oxygen and carry away digested food; viii. It has lacteals; for transport of fats/ lipids;
ix. Their walls are thin/ thin epithelium; for faster diffusion / absorption of food;
x. Have opening of ducts through which pancreatic juice and bile get into lumen;
xi. Bruner's gland secretes alkaline fluid which maintains a pH of 7-8 which is optimum pH for action intestinal enzymes;
ii. Lumen has many per villi unit area; to increase the surface area for absorption of food; villi have microvilli to increase the surface area for absorption of food;
iii. It's walls have glands which secrete enzymes that complete digestion; acc names of enzymes.
iv. Walls have goblet cells; which secrete mucus; for lubrication of food / walls; and protect the walls from digestive enzymes;
v. Presence of circular and longitudinal muscles; that allow mixing of food by peristalsis;
vi. It is coiled /folded; to slow down movement of food/ to give food enough time for digestion;
vii. Intestines are richly supplied with blood; to supply oxygen and carry away digested food; viii. It has lacteals; for transport of fats/ lipids;
ix. Their walls are thin/ thin epithelium; for faster diffusion / absorption of food;
x. Have opening of ducts through which pancreatic juice and bile get into lumen;
xi. Bruner's gland secretes alkaline fluid which maintains a pH of 7-8 which is optimum pH for action intestinal enzymes;
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