Question

The small intestine is highly coiled and is about
A. 6.0 meters
B. 4.5 meters
C. 7.0 meters
D. 8.5 meters

Answer 1

Digestion is a catabolic process that involves the breakdown of food (insoluble) into smaller particles (nutrients) that are then absorbed by the body. The digestive enzymes aid in the digestion process from the moment the food consumes. By chewing the food we breakdown into small pieces, immediately the digestive enzymes present in the mouth act on this food. The food is swallowed and digested in other parts of the digestive system, namely the stomach, the small intestine, and the large intestine follows.

Complete answer:
The small intestine is a highly coiled structure that measures about 6 meters. The diameter of the small intestine measures about an inch in adults. Most nutrients are absorbed in this section and it (food) remains in the small intestine for about 6 hours or more.
The small intestine primarily has three sections- the duodenum, jejunum, and the ileum. The partly digested food called chyme enters the duodenum from the stomach. The acidic chyme is neutralized in this section of the small intestine. Along with that bile (digests fats) and other enzymes are also released to aid the digestion process.
The jejunum and ileum surfaces hold finger-like projections called villi. The epithelial cells of each villus have many microvilli projections, greatly increasing the surface area of the intestine. This enables proper nutrient absorption.
Once the major nutrients are absorbed the food (still not completely digested) enters the large intestine.

The correct option is (A). The small intestine is about 6 meters long.

Note: The length of the small intestine will differ in each individual. It can range from 3 meters to 10 meters. If a person consumes an excess of food or there is a presence of some irritant in the food, he or she may feel pain, cramps, and an urge to vomit. The undigested food moves from the small intestine (duodenum) to the stomach and up the esophagus and out of the mouth. This movement is called retroperistalsis. It is the opposite of the peristalsis wherein the gastrointestinal tract enables the smooth movement and digestion of food.