Question

How much do human intestines weigh?

Answer 1

Both small and large intestines are organs that partake in the digestion process. The organs of the digestive system break down the food particles into nutrients that are absorbed by the body. Different digestive enzymes help in this process. While the main digestive organs are the stomach, small intestine, and large intestine; the process of digestion begins in the mouth. The enzyme amylase (present in the saliva) begins the digestion of starch.

Complete answer:
-Human intestines, small and large intestine, together weigh about 20 feet or maybe even more. They weigh about 7.5 pounds on average. The large intestine weighs about 4 pounds while the small intestine weighs about 3.5 pounds.
-The small intestine primarily has three sections- the duodenum, jejunum, and the ileum. From the stomach, the partly digested food (chyme) enters the duodenum. Bile (digests fats) and other enzymes are released to aid the digestion process. The acidic nature of the chyme is neutralized in this section of the small intestine.
-The jejunum and ileum are where nutrients absorption takes place. Each villus has many microvilli projections. These projections enable better nutrient absorption, as they increase the surface area of the digestive tract. Once the major nutrients are absorbed the food (still not completely digested) enters the large intestine.
-The large intestine consists of the-cecum, colon, and rectum. The large intestine primarily absorbs water and electrolytes from the partially digested food. Apart from this function, the large intestine (rectum) stores the faecal matter (waste byproduct) till it is time to excrete it through the anal opening.

Note: The digestive system of each organism is suited to the organism’s needs. Its diet and feeding behaviour of the organism is taken into account. For vertebrates, the autonomic nervous system controls the digestion process. Therefore, we are never really aware of this body function going on.
Apart from the enzymes that aid in digestion, the digestive tract of most organisms is colonized by gut microbes that take part in digestion. Some even help digest food that the organism by itself will never be able to digest.