In intestinal villi, capillaries absorb sugars and amino acids into which bloodstream?

• A. Systemic circulation
• B. Lymphatic system
• C. Hepatic arteries
• D. Portal blood

Answer: (D)

Nutrients like sugars and amino acids are absorbed by the capillaries in the intestinal villi and enter the portal blood. This nutrient-rich blood travels through the hepatic portal vein to the liver, where it can be processed and stored before reaching the rest of the body. The lymphatic system handles fats differently, taking them up as chylomicrons into the lymphatics rather than directly into the bloodstream. The systemic circulation is the body-wide flow after the liver, while hepatic arteries bring oxygen-rich blood to the liver itself. So, the bloodstream carrying absorbed sugars and amino acids from the villi is portal blood.