Celiac disease can also cause more significant issues in the digestive system. Based on your knowledge of the function of the small intestine, which of the following do you think may occur as a result of the resulting inflammation and damage to the lining of the small intestine?

a) Interference with the ability of the pancreas to secrete digestive enzymes and hormones.

b) A decrease in the ability of the brush border cells to produce enzymes, and a decrease in chemical digestion.

c) An increase in the production of mucous resulting in a decrease in absorption of nutrients.

d) Loss of the villi surface area and a decrease in absorption of nutrients, causing malabsorption.

d)

Explanation:

Based on information that has been gathered by professionals regarding this disease it can be said that the result of such inflammation would be Loss of the villi surface area and a decrease in absorption of nutrients, causing malabsorption. Which is another disorder that arises when the individual cannot absorbe the required nutrients from the food that they eat. This disorder causes weight loss, bloating and sometimes diarrhoea, and can eventually lead to organ failure.

d) Loss of the villi surface area and a decrease in absorption of nutrients, causing malabsorption

Explanation:

In people with celiac disease, the immune system reacts abnormally to gluten (protien found in wheat, rye, barley and oats) causing small bowel damage.

The tin, finger like projections which line the bowel (villi) become inflamed and flattened. This is referred to as vilous atrophy.

Villous atrophy reduces the surface area of the bowel available for nutrient absorption, which can lead to various GIT and malabsorptive symptoms. Symptoms can also be caused by inflammation in other parts of body.

Hence, d) Loss of the villi surface area and a decrease in absorption of nutrients, causing malabsorption is the right answer.