Biology / Unit 2 Bio 0259 short lesson, about 20 seconds
Microvilli
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The idea
Microvilli are fingerlike foldings of the plasma membrane that increase a cell's surface area for absorption.
In practice
Cells lining the small intestine carry dense microvilli, matching their job of absorbing nutrients from digested food.
Where people slip
Microvilli increase area on one face of the cell only — the side facing the substances to be absorbed.
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