Final answer:
After absorption in the small intestine, water-soluble nutrients are transported to the liver through the hepatic portal vein. These nutrients require transport molecules to pass through the plasma membrane of cells and are vital for many body functions.
Step-by-step explanation:
After water-soluble nutrients are absorbed in the intestine, they are carried to the liver via the hepatic portal vein. Water-soluble nutrients, unlike lipid-soluble nutrients, cannot simply diffuse through the plasma membrane due to its hydrophobic nature. Instead, these nutrients require specific transport molecules for entry into the cells. Following absorption through the apical surface of enterocytes, these nutrients enter the capillary blood within the villi of the small intestine before being transported to the liver.
Water-soluble nutrients are important for providing the body with necessary vitamins and minerals vital for numerous biochemical processes. Once in the liver, these nutrients can be stored, further processed, or distributed throughout the body's cells via the bloodstream.