Which organ absorbs the nutrients from your food?

Which organ absorbs the nutrients from your food?

• A. Pancreas
• B. Liver
• C. Small Intestines
• D. Stomach

Answer: (C)

Absorption of nutrients happens where the intestinal lining is specialized to take up digested molecules. The small intestine has a highly folded surface with villi and microvilli that dramatically increase contact with food, allowing sugars, amino acids, and fats to pass into the bloodstream or lymphatic system. After digestion, these nutrients are carried to the liver for processing and to other tissues for use. The stomach mainly digests and mixes food and does not absorb most nutrients. The pancreas contributes enzymes to aid digestion, but absorption still occurs primarily in the small intestine. The liver handles processing after absorption, not the initial uptake. So the organ responsible for absorbing nutrients is the small intestine.

Absorption of nutrients happens where the intestinal lining is specialized to take up digested molecules. The small intestine has a highly folded surface with villi and microvilli that dramatically increase contact with food, allowing sugars, amino acids, and fats to pass into the bloodstream or lymphatic system. After digestion, these nutrients are carried to the liver for processing and to other tissues for use. The stomach mainly digests and mixes food and does not absorb most nutrients. The pancreas contributes enzymes to aid digestion, but absorption still occurs primarily in the small intestine. The liver handles processing after absorption, not the initial uptake. So the organ responsible for absorbing nutrients is the small intestine.