How is a digestive tract more efficent than a gastrovascular sac in invertebrates?How is a digestive tract more efficent than a gastrovascular sac in invertebrates?
Posted by DrJ
Which would you rather have? A linear gut where different parts can specialize with different functions (and thus increase the efficiency of the system), or a blind pouch which has to do multiple processes with the same structures?
Posted by Paul K
Higher surface area for absorption.
Posted by mareeclara
firstly you can specialise in what different parts of the digestive tract does so you get the most out of the food eg like saliva adds enzymes to start breaking down starch to glucose, stomach mixes, small intestines absorb nutrients, large insetines water etc....
Also having a longer tube system means there is more time to absorb and a larger surface area in which to do it.
Also in a sac there is mixing of the nutrients as well as waste products meaning than there is not pure nutrients but a mixture which takes more time and energy to absorb the same nutrients you would from a food source. Also the waste going out the same place that food comes in is like crapping on your food...not great!!
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