Refer to the figure below. The villi of the small intestine are lined with epithelial cells that absorb nutrients from digested food on one side and transfer these nutrients into the blood on the other side.Which cell shown in the figure would be most efficient as an epithelial cell in the intestinal villi, and why?
A) Cell B because it has a greater volume than cell A.
B) Cell A because its volume is greater than its surface area.
C) Cell B because it has a greater surface area than cell A.
D) Cell A because it has a larger surface area-to-volume ratio than cell B.
E) Cell B because it has a larger overall size than cell A.

Question

Refer to the figure below.  The villi of the small intestine are lined with epithelial cells that absorb nutrients from digested food on one side and transfer these nutrients into the blood on the other side.Which cell shown in the figure would be most efficient as an epithelial cell in the intestinal villi, and why?
A) Cell B because it has a greater volume than cell A. 
B) Cell A because its volume is greater than its surface area. 
C) Cell B because it has a greater surface area than cell A. 
D) Cell A because it has a larger surface area-to-volume ratio than cell B. 
E) Cell B because it has a larger overall size than cell A.

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The most efficient epithelial cell in the intestinal villi would be the one with the highest surface area-to-volume ratio, as this would allow for the most efficient absorption of nutrients. Cell A has a larger surface area-to-volume ratio than cell B, making it the most efficient cell for this function.

Refer to the Figure Below