Villus Nutrient Absorption Pathways

Steps:

• Identify villus structures: blood capillaries for water-soluble nutrients, lacteal for lipids.
• Recall absorption: glucose and amino acids enter blood via active transport; fats form chylomicrons and enter lacteal.
• Examine diagrams for separation of soluble nutrients to blood and fats to lymph.
• Choose diagram matching this dual pathway.

Why D is correct:

• Diagram D depicts glucose/amino acids absorbed into blood capillaries and fats into lacteal, aligning with small intestine physiology where water-soluble molecules use carrier proteins to enter bloodstream while lipids follow lymphatic route.

Why the others are wrong:

• A: Shows all molecules entering lacteal, ignoring blood absorption for solubles.
• B: Routes fats to blood capillaries, contradicting lipid emulsification and chylomicron formation.
• C: Lacks distinct pathways, depicting uniform absorption without specificity.

Final answer: D