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Christopher Wong
IB HL Biology
Christopher Wong
4. Within the small intestine, where specifically are nutrient
molecules absorbed and taken to either the circulatory or
lymphatic systems?
Nutrient molecules are absorbed by the villi of the small intestine.
Blood vessels in the villi absorb nutrients, sugars, and amino acids.
Other food molecules such as fatty acids and glycerol are absorbed in
the lacteal and are delivered to the circulatory or lymphatic system.
5. Propose how nutrients, once broken down, might be
absorbed into the blood stream and/or lymphatic system.
Broken down nutrients are absorbed into the blood stream and
lymphatic system through the villi. The villi are littered with blood
vessels, which allows for nutrients to enter the blood stream. This is
done through enzymes that break down larger molecules to smaller
absorbable molecules.
6. What are Peyers patches?
Peyers patches are organized lymphoid nodules. These lymphoid
tissues distinguish the ileum from the duodenum and the jejunum.
Peyers patches are elongated thickenings of the intestinal epithelium.
Under a microscope, these patches appear as an oval. The function of
Peyers patches is crucial to the immune system. The lumen of the
gastrointestinal tract is susceptible to pathogenic organisms. The
patches contain specialized cells called microfold cells that sample
antigens from the lumen and deliver it to antigen-presenting cells. The
memory cells memorize these samples and each time the antigen is
found present in the body, the immune system is activated and the
antigens are found and destroyed.
7. What are the differences and similarities between the small
and large intestine?
Small Intestines
Most of food
particles are
broken down or
digested
Nutrients are
absorbed by the
body
Divided into
several portions:
Large Intestines
Feces is stored
Contains
undigested food
and some fluids
Has more main
regions: cecum,
colon, rectum, and
anal canal
Production of some
Similarities
Long continuous
tubes
Made of the same
kind of muscle
Digest food
Part of the
digestive track
Lined with mucus
IB HL Biology
Christopher Wong
duodenum,
jejunum, and ileum
Much longer than
the large intestine
Contains villi and
microvilli
vitamin B and K
Absorption of
water, vitamins,
and ions
Wider than the
small intestine