Why is intracellular digestion unsuitable?

Answer 1

1. The small intestine is LONG- this ensures food remains in the small intestine long enough for the products of digestion to be fully absorbed into the bloodstrem.

2. The Small intestine is HIGHLY FOLDED into villi (s. villus)- This gives a greater surface area for more efficient diffusion of products into the bloodstream.

3. The small intestine has a RICH BLOOD SUPPLY - Each villus has a network of capillaries so that the products of digestion are carried away from the small intestine efficiently.

4. The epithelium of the small intestine in the villi is only ONE CELL THICK - for easier diffusion of the products of digestion into the bloodstream. The walls of the capillaries are only one cell thick as well!!

Answer 2

Intracellular digestion is unsuitable for large food particles because it would require a significant amount of energy to break down the food within each individual cell. Additionally, intracellular digestion can lead to the build-up of waste and toxins within the cell, which can be harmful to the cell's function. For these reasons, extracellular digestion is more efficient for processing large food particles.