2.31 Describe the structure of a villus and explain how this helps absorption of the products of digestion in the small intestine

These are tiny little hair-like things that line the wall of the small intestine and are responsible for the absorption of nutrients. (they are not actually hairs, just to make it clear)

• Lined with microvilli → increased surface area → quicker diffusion
• Blood capillaries → concentration gradient constant → nutrients (glucose & amino acids) quickly absorbed into bloodstream 
• Walls one cell thick → quick diffusion → molecules can pass easily
• Lacteal → central vessel in villi → responsible for absorption of fats

Figure 1: Structure of a villus