# Describe the structural features of villi that make them well adapted for the absorption of digested food in the ileum.

> Pearson Edexcel International GCSE Biology (4BI1) — 2.11 Transport: humans · Describe · 4 marks

## Mark scheme (4 marks)

1. Villi increase the surface area (of the small intestine / ileum) for absorption
2. Villi have a thin (single-celled / one-cell thick) wall / epithelium, so substances have a short diffusion distance
3. Villi contain a network of blood capillaries (to carry away absorbed glucose and amino acids)
4. Villi contain a lacteal (lymph vessel) to absorb fatty acids and glycerol / lipids

## Key terms

- [villi](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/villi)
- [ileum](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/ileum)

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Source: [GradeNine](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/describe-the-structural-features-of-villi-84c9c515) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.