HOW THE STRUCTURE OF THE SMALL INTESTINE HAS ADAPTED FOR ABSORBING THE PRODUCTS OF DIGESTION:
The small intestine is a hollow tube that is over 6 metres long. It also has 100's of folds, called rugae. These folds allow for more surface area of the small intestine to make contact with the food and its nutrients. It helps to increase the amount of nutrients that can be absorbed. The intestinal wall is made from simple columnar epithelial tissue that is covered with tiny hair-like structures called villi. On the villi, there are even tinier structures, called microvilli. These hair-like projections wave like seaweed in the tidal pools along the coast, as the waves shift in and out. These movements help to push food along its path through the small intestine.
Enzymes are secreted from the mouth, stomach, gallbladder and the intestinal wall that help the body break down the food into smaller pieces that eventually can be metabolized. These nutrients then get sent to the blood so the body can make use of it.
Enzymes are secreted from the mouth, stomach, gallbladder and the intestinal wall that help the body break down the food into smaller pieces that eventually can be metabolized. These nutrients then get sent to the blood so the body can make use of it.