In which part of the digestive tract does vitamin B12 absorption occur due to intrinsic factor?

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Prepare for the Leaving Certificate Digestion Test with engaging questions and explanations. Ready yourself with multiple choice quizzes, hints, and deep insights. Be exam-ready now!

Multiple Choice

In which part of the digestive tract does vitamin B12 absorption occur due to intrinsic factor?

Explanation:
Vitamin B12 absorption depends on a carrier called intrinsic factor, produced by stomach parietal cells. The B12–intrinsic factor complex travels to the small intestine, and the actual uptake happens in the terminal ileum through specific receptors on ileal enterocytes. Without intrinsic factor, B12 cannot be efficiently absorbed, and if the ileum is damaged or removed, absorption fails even with IF present. So, the best site for absorbing the B12–intrinsic factor complex is the ileum, whereas the stomach mainly makes the factor and the duodenum and jejunum handle many other nutrients but are not the primary sites for B12 absorption.

Vitamin B12 absorption depends on a carrier called intrinsic factor, produced by stomach parietal cells. The B12–intrinsic factor complex travels to the small intestine, and the actual uptake happens in the terminal ileum through specific receptors on ileal enterocytes. Without intrinsic factor, B12 cannot be efficiently absorbed, and if the ileum is damaged or removed, absorption fails even with IF present. So, the best site for absorbing the B12–intrinsic factor complex is the ileum, whereas the stomach mainly makes the factor and the duodenum and jejunum handle many other nutrients but are not the primary sites for B12 absorption.

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