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91Ó°ÊÓ

Which of the following statements is true? a. The majority of water is reabsorbed by the small intestines. b. Elimination is a process that occurs via diffusion. c. Absorption is the process that chemically breaks down food. d. The small intestines absorb nutrients.

Short Answer

Expert verified
The small intestines absorb nutrients.

Step by step solution

01

Understand the options

Read all the provided statements carefully to understand what each one is claiming about the digestive system and its processes.
02

Analyze Statement A

Statement A says, 'The majority of water is reabsorbed by the small intestines.' Recall that while the small intestine does absorb some water, the majority of water reabsorption occurs in the large intestines. Therefore, Statement A is false.
03

Analyze Statement B

Statement B says, 'Elimination is a process that occurs via diffusion.' Elimination refers to the process of expelling waste from the body, not a diffusion process. Therefore, Statement B is false.
04

Analyze Statement C

Statement C says, 'Absorption is the process that chemically breaks down food.' Chemical breakdown of food is known as digestion, not absorption. Absorption pertains to the uptake of nutrients into the bloodstream. Therefore, Statement C is false.
05

Analyze Statement D

Statement D says, 'The small intestines absorb nutrients.' This is true because the primary role of the small intestine is to absorb nutrients from digested food into the bloodstream.
06

Conclusion

After analyzing each statement, determine that Statement D is the only true statement.

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Key Concepts

These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.

small intestine
The small intestine is a crucial part of the digestive system. It is where most nutrient absorption happens. It is divided into three parts: the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum. In the duodenum, partially digested food mixes with digestive juices from the pancreas and bile from the liver. These juices help in breaking down food further. In the jejunum and ileum, the nutrients are absorbed into the bloodstream through specialized structures called villi and microvilli, which increase the surface area for maximum absorption. Despite its vital role in absorption, the small intestine also participates in some enzymatic activity to continue the digestion process.
water reabsorption
Water reabsorption is an essential process in the digestive system. While the small intestine does reabsorb some water, the majority of water is reabsorbed in the large intestine, also known as the colon. This process ensures that the body retains necessary water and electrolytes while forming solid waste. The colon absorbs water from the undigested food matter, transforming it into a more solid form before it is eliminated from the body. Efficient water reabsorption is crucial for maintaining hydration and electrolyte balance, which are vital for overall health.
elimination
Elimination is the final stage of the digestive process. It involves expelling waste from the body. This waste includes indigestible parts of food, excess water, and bacteria. Unlike other processes in the digestive system like digestion and absorption, elimination does not involve chemical reactions. The waste moves from the colon to the rectum and is expelled through the anus. Proper elimination is important for preventing the buildup of toxins in the body. Additionally, it helps maintain a healthy gastrointestinal tract by regularly clearing out waste.
absorption
Absorption is the process where digested nutrients pass through the intestinal wall into the bloodstream. This process primarily occurs in the small intestine. The inner walls of the small intestine are covered with tiny, finger-like projections called villi. Each villus has even tinier projections called microvilli, which further increase the surface area for nutrient absorption. During absorption, nutrients like carbohydrates, proteins, and fats, along with vitamins and minerals, enter the blood vessels and lymphatic vessels in the villi. From there, they are transported to various parts of the body where they are used for energy, growth, and cell repair.
chemical breakdown
Chemical breakdown, also known as digestion, is the process of breaking down food into smaller, absorbable components. This process begins in the mouth with saliva, which contains enzymes that start breaking down carbohydrates. It continues in the stomach, where gastric juices containing hydrochloric acid and enzymes digest proteins. Finally, in the small intestine, bile from the liver and digestive enzymes from the pancreas complete the digestion of proteins, carbohydrates, and fats. The resulting small molecules are then ready for absorption into the bloodstream. Without chemical breakdown, the body wouldn't be able to extract essential nutrients from food efficiently.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

An experiment to measure the rate of respiration in mice at \(10^{\circ} C\) and \(25^{\circ} \mathrm{C}\) was performed using a respirometer, an apparatus that measures changes in gas volume. Respiration was measured in mL of \(O_{2}\) consumed per gram of organism over several five-minute trials, and the following data were obtained. $$\begin{array}{|c|c|}\hline \text { Organism } & {\text { Temperature \(\left(^{\circ} \mathrm{C}\right)\) }} & {\text { Average respiration \(\left(\mathrm{mL} 0_{2} / \mathrm{g} / \mathrm{min}\right)\) }} \\ \hline \text { Mouse } & {10} & {0.0518} \\ \hline \text { Mouse } & {25} & {0.0321} \\\ \hline\end{array}$$ According to these data, mice at 10°C demonstratedgreater oxygen consumption per gram of tissue than mice at \(25^{\circ} C.\) Which of the following statements best explains the observation? a. The mice at 10°C had a higher rate of ATP production than the mice at 25°C. b. The mice at 10°C had a lower metabolic rate than the mice at 25°C. c. The mice at 25°C weighed less than the mice at 10°C. d. The mice at 25°C were more active than the mice at 10°C.

What are the biological benefits of a balanced diet? a. A balanced diet provides excess energy to be stored in the body and nutrients to maintain good health and increase reproductive capability. b. A balanced diet allows excess energy to be stored in the body, thereby increasing the rate of metabolic reactions. c. A balanced diet provides nutrients needed to maintain proper bodily functions, and vitamins and minerals to maintain good health and reproductive capability. d. A balanced diet provides nutrients needed to maintain proper bodily functions, and vitamins and minerals to maintain good health and increase reproductive capability.

How is the gallbladder involved in digestion, even though it is considered an accessory organ? a. The gallbladder secretes bile to the duodenum, which uses it to break down proteins. It is considered an accessory organ because food does not directly pass through it. b. The gallbladder secretes bile to the duodenum, which uses it to break down fats. It is considered an accessory organ because food does not directly pass through it. c. The gallbladder secretes bile to the ileum, which uses it to break down fats. It is considered an accessory organ because food does not directly pass through it. d. The gallbladder secretes bile to the ileum, which uses it to break down proteins. It is considered an accessory organ because only a very small amount of digestion takes place in the gallbladder.

One of the key features of villi and microvilli in the digestive system is their finger-like projection shape. Which of the following is an example of how the shape of microvilli can enhance nutrient absorption? a. Nutrients can enter the bloodstream through the blood vessels that are located in middle of the microvilli. b. Larger microvilli have more surface area over which more nutrients are absorbed. c. The microvilli projections aid in mechanical digestion of food particles. d. The finger-like projections prevent large particles of food from passing through the digestive system.

Ruminants, such as this goat, are able to digest large amounts of plant material. How is plant material passed through, digested, and absorbed in the ruminant digestive system? a. Food is chewed in the mouth, then passes through the esophagus into the rumen and then the reticulum, which contain microbes that break down cellulose and ferment the ingested plant material. The ruminant regurgitates cud from the rumen, and the food is passed into the omasum for water removal and then into the small and large intestines for nutrient and further water absorption. Waste is excreted through the anus. b. Food is chewed in the mouth, then passes through the esophagus into the rumen and then the reticulum, which contain microbes that break down cellulose and ferment the ingested plant material. The ruminant regurgitates cud from the rumen, and the food is passed into the abomasum for water removal and then into the small and large intestines for nutrient and further water absorption. Waste is excreted through the anus. c. Food is chewed in the mouth, then passes through the esophagus into the rumen and then the reticulum, which contain microbes that break down proteins and ferment the ingested plant material. Ruminants regurgitate cud from the rumen, and the food is passed into the omasum for water removal and then into the small and large intestines for nutrient and further water absorption. Waste is excreted through the anus. d. Food is chewed in the mouth then passes through the esophagus into the reticulum and then the rumen, which contain microbes that break down cellulose and ferment the ingested plant material. The ruminant regurgitates cud from the rumen, and the food is passed into the omasum for water removal and then into the small and large intestines for nutrient and further water absorption. Waste is excreted through the anus.

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