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Epithelial Cell Functions in the Small Intestine

The document contains 4 questions about the structure and function of epithelial cells in the small intestine and other cells in the human body. Q1 asks about (a) the name of part A in the epithelial cell image, which is the nucleus, and (b) how soluble food molecules are absorbed (by diffusion) and how the folded cell surface helps with absorption. Q2 asks about (a) which cell (A, B, or C) has adaptations for diffusion and (b) what substance pancreatic cells produce (insulin or digestive enzymes) and how the cells are adapted. Q3 defines active transport and explains how microvilli and mitochondria help with the active transport of digestive products into

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134 views7 pages

Epithelial Cell Functions in the Small Intestine

The document contains 4 questions about the structure and function of epithelial cells in the small intestine and other cells in the human body. Q1 asks about (a) the name of part A in the epithelial cell image, which is the nucleus, and (b) how soluble food molecules are absorbed (by diffusion) and how the folded cell surface helps with absorption. Q2 asks about (a) which cell (A, B, or C) has adaptations for diffusion and (b) what substance pancreatic cells produce (insulin or digestive enzymes) and how the cells are adapted. Q3 defines active transport and explains how microvilli and mitochondria help with the active transport of digestive products into

Uploaded by

Slaheddine
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
  • Q1 - Epithelial Cell Observation
  • Q2 - Cell Diagrams Analysis
  • Q3 - Villi Structure and Function
  • Q4 - Coeliac Disease Impact
  • Marking Scheme - Answers

Kingsmead Technology College

[Link] image below shows an epithelial cell from the lining of the small intestine.

(a) (i) In the image above, the part of the cell labelled A contains chromosomes.

What is the name of part A?

...............................................................................................................
(1)

(ii) How are most soluble food molecules absorbed into the epithelial cells of the
small intestine?

Draw a ring around the correct answer.

diffusion osmosis respiration

(1)

(b) Suggest how the highly folded cell surface helps the epithelial cell to absorb soluble food.

........................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................
(1)

(c) Epithelial cells also carry out active transport.

(i) Name one food molecule absorbed into epithelial cells by active transport.

...............................................................................................................
(1)

(ii) Why is it necessary to absorb some food molecules by active transport?

...............................................................................................................

...............................................................................................................
(1)

(ii) Suggest why epithelial cells have many mitochondria.

...............................................................................................................

...............................................................................................................
(2)

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Kingsmead Technology College
d) Some plants also carry out active transport.

Give one substance that plants absorb by active transport.

........................................................................................................................
(1)
(Total 8 marks)

Q2. Diagrams A, B and C show cells from different parts of the human body, all drawn to the
same scale.

(a) Which cell, A, B or C, appears to have adaptations to increase diffusion into or out of

the cell?

Give one reason for your choice.

........................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................
(1)

(b) (i) Cell C is found in the pancreas.

Name one useful substance produced by the pancreas.

...............................................................................................................
(1)

(ii) Use information from the diagram to explain how cell C is adapted for producing this
substance.

...............................................................................................................

...............................................................................................................

...............................................................................................................

...............................................................................................................
(2)
(Total 4 marks)
Page 2
Kingsmead Technology College

Q3. The small intestine is lined with millions of villi.


The diagram shows the structure of a villus.

In the small intestine, some of the products of digestion are absorbed into the blood by active
transport.

(a) Explain what is meant by active transport.

.....................................................................................................................................

.....................................................................................................................................

.....................................................................................................................................
(2)

(b) How do microvilli and mitochondria help in the active transport of the products of
digestion from the small intestine into the blood?

Microvilli ....................................................................................................................

.....................................................................................................................................

Mitochondria ..............................................................................................................

.....................................................................................................................................
(2)
(Total 4 marks)

Q4. Diagram 1 shows two villi in the small intestine of a healthy person.

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Kingsmead Technology College
(a) Describe two features of the villi which help the small intestine to function.

1 .................................................................................................................................

....................................................................................................................................

2 .................................................................................................................................

....................................................................................................................................
(2)

(b) Diagram 2 shows two villi in the small intestine of a person with coeliac disease.

(i) How do the villi of the person with coeliac disease differ from those of a healthy
person?

..........................................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................
(1)

(ii) Suggest how this difference might affect how well the small intestine functions.

..........................................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................
(1)
(Total 4 marks)

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Kingsmead Technology College

(a) (i) nucleus


1

(ii) diffusion
1

(b) increases / larger surface area (for diffusion)


ignore large surface area to volume ratio
1

(c) (i) sugar / glucose


accept amino acids / other named monosaccharides
1

(ii) against a concentration gradient


or
from low to high concentration
1

(iii) (active transport requires) energy


1

(from) respiration
1

(d) minerals / ions


accept named ion ignore nutrients
do not accept water
1
[8]

M2. (a) B
no mark for ÉBÉ, alone

large(r) surface / area or large(r) membrane


accept reference to microvilli
accept reasonable descriptions of the surface
do not accept wall / cell wall
ignore villi / hairs / cilia
1

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Kingsmead Technology College
(b) (i) any one from:

• insulin / hormone
if named hormone / enzyme must be correct for pancreas

• enzyme / named enzyme


1

(ii) many ribosomes


1

(ribosomes) produce protein


accept insulin / hormone / enzyme named is (made of) protein

or

allow many mitochondria (1)

provide energy to build protein or to make protein (1)


accept ATP for energy
1
[4]

M3. (a) any two from:

• transport up / against concentration gradient / low to high concentration

• uses energy

• use of protein / carrier


2

(b) microvilli – large(r) surface area


accept have carriers
1

mitochondria – release energy or make ATP


do not accept ‘makes energy’
1
[4]

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Kingsmead Technology College

M4. (a) any two from:

• large surface / area or many villi or have microvilli


accept big surface / area

• thin surface or thin wall or surface 1-cell thick or


capillaries near surface or permeable or partially permeable
accept they are thin
do not allow thin cell wall

• many blood vessels or many capillaries or capillary network


or good blood supply
ignore ‘constant blood flow’ owtte
ignore extras eg moist or reference to gases

• have enzymes
ignore release enzymes
• accept reference to lacteal as 5th point
• allow reference to having mitochondria
2

(b) (i) small(er) (surface area) / flat(ter) / short(er)


or not as folded
or fewer capillaries owtte
allow small(er) lacteal
ignore references to wide / thick / spread out etc
1

(ii) less absorption (of digested food) / less digestion / diffusion


accept slower for less
accept description of less digestion
accept less food can get in
do not allow zero absorption
do not allow ‘collection’ of nutrients
1
[4]

Page 7

Common questions

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The thin walls of the villi, being only one cell thick, facilitate rapid diffusion and absorption of nutrients into the bloodstream. This structural feature minimizes the distance over which nutrients must travel, thus enhancing the efficiency of nutrient transfer from the intestinal lumen to the blood vessels within the villi .

Active transport involves the movement of molecules against their concentration gradient, from low to high concentration, using energy derived from ATP. In contrast, diffusion is the passive movement of molecules from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration, not requiring energy. Active transport is essential for absorbing nutrient molecules like glucose when their concentration in the intestine is lower than in the epithelial cells .

Plants use active transport to absorb minerals from the soil because these substances often need to move against their concentration gradient from soil to root cells. This process requires energy, but is advantageous as it allows plants to uptake essential nutrients, such as minerals and ions, in concentrations much higher than those typically found in the soil, ensuring adequate nutrition to support growth and development .

Healthy villi are elongated with a large surface area, greatly enhancing nutrient absorption. In contrast, those with coeliac disease have villi that are flattened and reduced in surface area, leading to decreased efficiency in nutrient absorption. This structural defect results in less surface contact with digested food, impairing absorption rates and leading to possible malnutrition despite adequate dietary intake .

Epithelial cells absorb glucose through active transport, which allows for the uptake of glucose molecules against their concentration gradient. This process involves carrier proteins and requires energy, usually supplied by ATP from cellular respiration, to move glucose from the intestinal lumen into the cells, even when the concentration is low .

In coeliac disease, the villi are damaged, resulting in a flattened structure with reduced surface area, which compromises nutrient absorption. The lower surface area means fewer absorption sites, leading to decreased efficiency in nutrient uptake. This impairment can result in malabsorption syndromes, characterized by nutritional deficiencies .

Pancreatic cells are specially adapted with numerous ribosomes and well-developed endoplasmic reticulum to support large-scale enzyme production. Ribosomes synthesize the protein components of enzymes, while the endoplasmic reticulum helps in processing and folding these proteins. Additionally, mitochondria supply the energy needed for these complex cellular processes .

Pancreatic cells, particularly beta cells, have a high number of ribosomes, which are essential for protein synthesis, including the production of insulin. The abundant ribosomes facilitate the translation of insulin's genetic code, while numerous mitochondria provide the energy required for these biosynthetic processes and the secretion of insulin into the bloodstream .

Microvilli increase the surface area of epithelial cells, allowing for greater absorption of nutrients through diffusion and active transport. They also contain carrier proteins that facilitate the movement of molecules against their concentration gradient, which is essential for active transport. This structural adaptation ensures efficient nutrient uptake from the intestines into the blood .

Epithelial cells in the small intestine require many mitochondria because active transport processes necessitate substantial energy, provided by ATP. Mitochondria are the site of cellular respiration, where energy is produced, thus supporting energy-intensive absorption processes like active transport .

Kingsmead Technology College Page 1 Q1.The image below shows an epithelial cell from the lining of the small intestine.
Kingsmead Technology College Page 2 d) Some plants also carry out active transport. Give one substance that plants abs
Kingsmead Technology College Page 3 Q3. The small intestine is lined with millions of villi. The diagram shows
Kingsmead Technology College Page 4 (a) Describe two features of the villi which help the small intestine to function.
Kingsmead Technology College Page 5 (a) (i) nucleus 1 (ii) diffusion 1 (b) increases /
Kingsmead Technology College Page 6 (b) (i) any one from: • insulin / hormone if named hormone / enzyme m
Kingsmead Technology College Page 7 M4. (a) any two from: • large surface / area or many villi o

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