Question

Celiac disease is considered an autoimmune disorder in which a person's immune system attacks the lining of the small intestine, resulting in decreased:

a. Calcium absorption
b. Iron absorption
c. Vitamin D synthesis
d. Protein digestion

Answer 1

Celiac disease leads to decreased iron absorption due to the damage of microvilli in the small intestine. It is an autoimmune disorder triggered by gluten that also causes complications like anemia and malnutrition.

Step-by-step explanation:

Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder where the body's immune system attacks the lining of the small intestine. The damage to the microvilli lining in the small intestine, caused by an immune response to gluten, leads to malabsorption of nutrients. In the context of the question, celiac disease results in decreased b. Iron absorption, along with other nutrients. This is because the microvilli, which are responsible for nutrient absorption, get damaged. Without these tiny finger-like projections functioning properly, the body can't absorb iron efficiently, leading to symptoms like anemia, malnutrition, and bone pain. Other autoimmune diseases that affect the digestive system include Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, both of which involve the body's immune system attacking different parts of the gastrointestinal tract.