Question

Differentiate between the small intestine and large intestine.

Answer 1

Hint: The major differentiating points are in the name itself. One is majorly related to digestion and absorption and another is related to the elimination of undigested materials.

Complete Answer:
The intestine is a tube-like part of the digestive system which lies in between the stomach and anus. The intestine is divided into the small intestine and large intestine.

Sl.No	Small Intestine	Large intestine
1.	The small intestine is termed as a small intestine because of its small diameter.	A large intestine is termed as a large intestine because of its wide diameter.
2.	The small intestine is a long tube of around 4.5 to 7 meters in length.	The large intestine is about 1.5m in length.
3.	The small intestine is the part of the digestive system between the stomach and the large intestine.	The large intestine is the part of the digestive system between the small intestine and anus.
4.	The small intestine is divided into three parts duodenum, jejunum, and ileum.	The large intestine is divided into the colon, caecum, rectum, and anal canal.
5.	It is responsible for performing major steps in the digestion of food.	There is no digestion process occurring here.
6.	It absorbs nutrients from the digested food.	It absorbs water and electrolytes.
7.	There are small finger-like projections present in the small intestine called villi.	There are no villi present in the large intestine.
8.	It contains Peyer’s patches (lymphoid tissue).	It does not have Peyer’s patches.
9.	There is the presence of bands of muscles.	Bands of muscle are reduced.

Note: Most of the digestion and absorption is carried out in jejunum. The jejunum is part of the small intestine that lies in between the duodenum and ileum. There is the absorption of vitamins in the large intestine.