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Absorption in the small intestine

Absorption is the passage of digested food from the small intestine into the blood or lymph.

In one line: Villi are tiny absorbers with big surface power.

Practice This Concept

Understand it

The inner lining of the small intestine has many villi.
These finger-like projections increase surface area so nutrients are absorbed quickly.
Glucose and amino acids enter blood capillaries, while fats enter lacteals.
This makes nutrient transfer efficient after digestion.

Example

After a meal, digested sugar from the intestine enters blood through villi.

Rule to remember

Rule: More surface area means faster absorption of digested nutrients.

See it worked out

Follow the example line by line, then use the same method on new questions.

Worked example

1If the inner lining had no villi, less food would be absorbed in the same time.
2With villi, nutrients move quickly into circulation after digestion.

Method you can reuse

1Name absorption.
2Mention villi.
3State the increase in surface area.
4Link blood and lymph.
5Conclude with efficient nutrient uptake.

Sketch it in your answer

Label villi, blood capillaries, lacteal, and the thin lining of the small intestine.

Check yourself

Answer the question in your head before opening the answer.

Try it yourself

Why are villi important in the small intestine?

Think first, then show answer

Villi are important because they increase the surface area for fast absorption of digested food into blood and lymph.

Common wrong answer

Villi digest food.

Why it loses marks: Digestion is the breakdown of food, while villi absorb the already digested food.

Don't mix this up

Students confuse absorption with digestion or think villi only add length.

Exam tip

Always mention increased surface area and the role of villi and lacteals.

Write it in the exam

Each point is worth about one mark. Write point 1 for a 1-mark question and keep adding points as the marks go up.

How CBSE asks it

Draw villi, explain their role, or relate surface area to absorption efficiency.

1
Enough for 1 mark
Absorption is the passage of digested food from the small intestine into the blood or lymph.
2
Add for 2 marks
Example: After a meal, digested sugar from the intestine enters blood through villi.
3
Add for 3 marks
The inner lining of the small intestine has many villi.

MCQ Quiz

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