Describe the adaptations of the ileum for absorption.

Hey — ready when you are. 6. (b) (i) The ileum is highly adapted for the absorption of digested food through several structural features: • It has a very long length, providing ample time for nutrients to be absorbed. • The inner surface is folded into numerous finger-like projections called villi, which significantly increase the surface area for absorption. • Each villus is covered with epithelial cells that have microscopic folds on their surface called microvilli, further increasing the surface area. This combined folding gives the ileum an enormous absorptive surface. • Each villus contains a rich network of blood capillaries to transport absorbed amino acids and monosaccharides away, maintaining a steep concentration gradient. • Each villus also contains a lacteal, a lymphatic capillary, for the absorption of fatty acids and glycerol. • The walls of the villi are very thin (one-cell thick), providing a short diffusion distance for nutrients to pass into the bloodstream or lacteal. Send me the next one 📸