Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder which destroys the microvilli of the small intestine. Vitamin B12 can be absorbed by passive diffusion across the microvilli of the small intestine. Consider a patient who has had 10% of their microvilli destroyed. If the concentration of vitamin B is 0.6 pg/ml inside the lumen of the small intestine and 0.3 pg/ml on the inside of an epithelial cell, how is the diffusion rate of vitamin B altered in this patient?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The diffusion rate of vitamin B12 would be reduced by 10% in this patient because the destruction of 10% of the microvilli directly decreases the surface area available for absorption, including passive diffusion processes.

Celiac Disease Is an Autoimmune Disorder Which Destroys the Microvilli