Chapter 46, Problem 1DA

Summary Introduction

To explain: The conversion of square meters into square feet and the calculation of area of the small intestine in square feet.

Introduction: Small intestine is an organ of the alimentary canal and is divided into three parts. The duodenum is C-shaped, first part that connects it with the stomach. The jejunum is a highly coiled portion in the middle, and ileum connects the small intestine with the large intestine.

Explanation of Solution

The length of the small intestine is approximately 4.5 m. However, the surface area of the small intestine increases because of the presence of finger-like projections called villi and microvilli. The surface area of small intestine is around 300 m².

The conversion of square meters into square feet is as follows:

$\begin{array}{l}1\text{meter}=3.28084\text{feet}\\ {\text{(1}\text{meter)}}^2\text{=}{(3.28084)}^2\text{feet}\\ {\text{(1}\text{meter)}}^2\text{=}10.7639~10.764feet\end{array}$

Since the surface area of the small intestine is 300 m², the surface area in square feet will be calculated as follows:

$\begin{array}{c}\text{Surface}\text{area}\text{(in}\text{square}\text{feet})=\text{}10.764\times \text{300}\text{square}\text{feet}\\ =33229.2\text{square}\text{feet}\end{array}$