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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.

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Student-friendly explanation

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.

How to write this in exams

  1. 1

    Start with the exact idea

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

  2. 2

    Then show how to use it

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

  3. 3

    Add one concrete example

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

  4. 4

    Avoid this incomplete answer

    Villi digest food. This is wrong because digestion is the breakdown of food, while villi absorb the already digested food.

Definition

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

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.

Memory hook

Villi are tiny absorbers with big surface power.

Examples and method

Worked example

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

Method to apply

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

Diagram support

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

How CBSE asks it

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

Avoid common mistakes

Common confusion

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

Common wrong answer

Villi digest food. This is wrong because digestion is the breakdown of food, while villi absorb the already digested food.

Exam tip

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

Quick check

Why are villi important in the small intestine?

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

Answer writing and exam use

1-mark answer

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

2-mark answer

Absorption is the passage of digested food from the small intestine into the blood or lymph. Rule: More surface area means faster absorption of digested nutrients. After a meal, digested sugar from the intestine enters blood through villi.

3-mark answer

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. Rule: More surface area means faster absorption of digested nutrients. If the inner lining had no villi, less food would be absorbed in the same time. With villi, nutrients move quickly into circulation after digestion. Draw villi, explain their role, or relate surface area to absorption efficiency. Villi digest food. This is wrong because digestion is the breakdown of food, while villi absorb the already digested food.
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