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How is the structure of lungs different from the structure of the small intestine?​

User Lavya
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Final answer:

The lungs are made up of lobes and alveoli that facilitate gas exchange within the pleural cavity while the small intestine is designed for digestion and nutrient absorption, featuring villi and microvilli that increase its surface area.

Step-by-step explanation:

The lungs and the small intestine have different structures tailored to their specific functions. The lungs are comprised of lobes, bronchioles, and alveoli, which are tiny air sacs designed for gas exchange. They are located within the pleural cavity and facilitate the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between the air and blood. The structure of the lungs allows for efficient gas exchange due to the large surface area provided by the numerous alveoli.

On the other hand, the small intestine is designed for digestion and nutrient absorption. It includes features such as villi and microvilli that greatly increase its surface area for absorbing nutrients from digested food. The walls of the small intestine are lined with specialized cells that absorb different nutrients, with a particular structure for fat absorption known as lacteals which are part of the lymphatic system.

Moreover, the small intestine does not have lobes like the lungs. Instead, it is a consecutive tube segmented into three parts: the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum. It is narrow in width compared to the large intestine but compensates with its length and internal surface area enhancements for nutrient absorption.

User Sebastian Meine
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