Final answer:
A disorder that affects nutrient absorption and mucus secretion likely involves the simple columnar epithelial tissue, which specializes in these functions in the digestive tract.
Step-by-step explanation:
An inability to absorb nutrients and secrete mucus might indicate a disorder in the simple columnar epithelial tissue. This type of epithelial tissue specializes in absorption and secretion functions. For example, simple columnar epithelial cells are known to absorb material from the digestive tract, and goblet cells interspersed between them secrete mucus into the digestive tract lumen, as described in Figure 33.9 and Figure 24.9. Moreover, disorders affecting the simple columnar epithelium could lead to absorption inefficiencies and reduced mucus production, thereby affecting gastrointestinal function.
The tissue described in Visual Connection Question 3 is also simple columnar epithelium, which is characterized by cells that are taller than they are wide, with the nucleus located near the basal side of the cell. Unicellular glands such as goblet cells are mixed within this tissue type and perform mucus secretion.