The small intestine is the site of digestion and absorption of nutrients. a single layer of epithelial cells lines the small intestine. in the duodenum (the first section of the small intestine), these epithelial cells secrete large quantities of digestive enzymes (a specialized type of protein). which of the following features would be typical of these epithelial cells? a. they contain large numbers of lysosomes. b. they have more smooth endoplasmic reticulum than rough endoplasmic reticulum. c. they contain large quantities of rough endoplasmic reticulum. d. they have larger nuclei than cells that secrete large quantities of lipids.