Question

The small intestine is considered the major organ that digests food because __________.

Answer 1

The small intestine is key in digestion and nutrient absorption due to its ability to complete the breakdown of food with brush border and pancreatic enzymes, as well as its large surface area created by microvilli.

Step-by-step explanation:

The small intestine is considered the major organ that digests food because it is the primary site where both the digestion of protein, fats, and carbohydrates is completed, and where virtually all absorption of nutrients takes place. Its importance in digestion is attributable to its highly folded mucosal surface, which includes circular folds, villi, and about 200 million microvilli per square millimeter that contain brush border enzymes. These enzymes, along with pancreatic juice and bile, complete the digestion of food into absorbable molecules. Furthermore, the immense surface area provided by these folds and projections allows for efficient nutrient absorption.