Most absorption of nutrients in the vertebrate digestive tract takes place in the
A) stomach.
B) small intestine (midgut).
C) large intestine (hindgut).
D) liver.
E) pancreas.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The small intestine is where most absorption of nutrients takes place in the vertebrate digestive tract. This is because the small intestine has a large surface area due to its long length, finger-like projections called villi, and microvilli on the surface of the cells lining the intestine. These structures increase the surface area available for nutrient absorption. The stomach primarily functions in the mechanical and chemical breakdown of food, while the large intestine primarily reabsorbs water and electrolytes from the remaining material. The liver and pancreas both play important roles in digestion, but they do not directly absorb nutrients.

Most Absorption of Nutrients in the Vertebrate Digestive Tract Takes