How are nutrients from digested food distributed to cells throughout the body?

• A. They diffuse directly from the digestive tract into all body tissues.
• B. They are stored in the stomach until each cell retrieves them as needed.
• C. They are absorbed into the bloodstream and transported by the circulatory system.
• D. They are carried by nerve impulses to each cell.

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the process of digestion: Nutrients from food are broken down into smaller molecules (e.g., glucose, amino acids, fatty acids) in the digestive system, primarily in the stomach and intestines.
2. Learn about absorption: These smaller molecules are absorbed through the walls of the small intestine into the bloodstream. Specialized structures like villi and microvilli increase the surface area for absorption.
3. Explore the role of the circulatory system: Once absorbed, nutrients enter the bloodstream, where they are transported to various tissues and cells throughout the body via blood vessels.
4. Recognize the importance of cellular uptake: Cells take up these nutrients from the bloodstream to use them for energy, growth, and repair through processes like facilitated diffusion or active transport.
5. Clarify misconceptions: Nutrients do not diffuse directly from the digestive tract into tissues, nor are they stored in the stomach or carried by nerve impulses. The circulatory system is the primary transport mechanism for distributing nutrients.