Which of the following statements is correct ?

Correct Answer: Large intestine is wider and shorter than small intestine.

Explanation:

Let us analyze each statement regarding the human digestive system step-by-step:

1. Width and Length of the Intestines:
The large intestine is called "large" because it has a larger diameter (it is wider) than the small intestine. However, in terms of length, the large intestine is about 1.5 meters long, whereas the small intestine is about 7.5 meters long. Thus, the large intestine is wider and shorter than the small intestine. This statement is correct.

2. Absorption of Digested Food:
The major site for the absorption of digested food is the small intestine. The main function of the large intestine is the absorption of water and some salts from the undigested food material, not the absorption of digested nutrients. Thus, this statement is incorrect.

3. Assimilation of Food:
Assimilation is the process by which absorbed nutrients are transported via blood vessels to different organs of the body and used to build complex substances (like proteins). This occurs after nutrients are absorbed in the small intestine and distributed throughout the body cells, not in the large intestine. Thus, this statement is incorrect.

4. Villi:
Finger-like projections called villi are present on the inner walls of the small intestine to increase the surface area for food absorption. The large intestine does not contain villi. Thus, this statement is incorrect.

Therefore, the correct statement is that the large intestine is wider and shorter than small intestine.