Question

If the average person’s small intestine had smooth walls, its surface area would be 0.57 m^2. With villi, the tiny finger-shaped structures inside the small intestine that allow for more nutrients to be absorbed, the surface area is about 250 m^2 and is roughly the size of a tennis court. How many times greater is the surface area with the villi than it is without the villi? Round your answer to the nearest whole number.

Answer 1

The walls of the small intestine are covered in villi and microvilli to increase surface area and aid in the absorption of nutrients and fluids.

Step-by-step explanation: