Acquisition of nutrients by animals

Question 1

Where does the absorption of nutrients occur?

Answer 1

Nutrients are absorbed during passage through the small intestine.

Water is absorbed mostly in the large intestine.

Question 2

Why is the process of absorption effective in the alimentary canal?

Answer 2

The process of absorption is very efficient due to a large surface area and fast rate of diffusion from the inside of the alimentary canal into the blood stream.

Question 3

How is an increased rate of diffusion/active transport achieved in the acquisition of nutrients?

Answer 3

Huge S.A lining the small intestine

Distance between small intestine into blood vessels is small

Question 4

Explain how villi help increase surface area

Answer 4

the huge surface area lining the small intestine due to the presence of villi, folds and long length.

Question 5

What factor does there need to be for absorption to occur?

Answer 5

Once food has been physically and chemically digested into small components i.e. glucose, amino acids, fatty acids and glycerol; these nutrients need to be absorbed by the body to supply cells.