Flattened villi reduce ileum surface area but allow glucose absorption

Steps:

• Celiac disease damages villi, flattening them in the ileum and small intestine.
• Flattened villi decrease absorptive surface area, impairing nutrient uptake.
• Glucose absorption occurs via transporters in enterocytes, not solely dependent on villi projections.
• Reduced surface area leads to less glucose entering the hepatic portal vein despite same food intake.

Why C is correct:

• Flattened villi confirm reduced ileum surface area (yes), but glucose molecules are still absorbed via active transport (no block, so no).

Why the others are wrong:

• A: Wrongly claims no glucose absorption; transporters function despite flattened villi.
• B: Incorrectly denies both reduced surface area and absorption block; surface area is reduced.
• D: Erroneously states no glucose absorption; it occurs, just less efficiently.

Final answer: C