Digestive System

Question 1

Which of the following is the best illustration of the difference between metabolism and digestion?

Select one:

a. Digestion has a wide variety of chemical reactions while metabolism is restricted to only a few reaction types.
b. Digestion requires enzymes for it to take place while metabolism does not necessarily need or use them.
c. Metabolism comprises all of the chemical reactions preformed within the body while digestion is only the breakdown of food within the GI tract.
d. Digestions must happen first for metabolism to follow it.

Answer 1

c. Metabolism comprises all of the chemical reactions preformed within the body while digestion is only the breakdown of food within the GI tract.

Question 2

Which of the following is least involved in the mechanical breakdown of food, digestion, or absorption?

Select one:

a. large intestine
b. the oral cavity
c. the esophagus
d. the small ingestion

Answer 2

c. the esophagus

Question 3

Which of the following would likely be absorbed in the stomach?

Select one:

a. a serving of lean chicken breast
b. a serving of alcohol
c. a piece of candy
d. a serving of pasta

Answer 3

b. a serving of alcohol

Question 4

Which of the following is the best explanation of the benefit in the digestive system having the largest collection of lymphoid tissue (MALT) at the distal end of the small intestine?

Select one:

a. The digestive systems first and foremost job is to digest and absorb nutrients so it puts off immunity for last.
b. The huge numbers of bacteria living in the large intestine must be prevented from entering the lumen of the small intestine and being absorbed with food’s nutrients into the blood stream.
c. The body will actively excrete pathogens out of the body, into the digestive system, to be removed from the body in feces.
d. The alkaline secretions of the small intestine aid in the growth of bacteria and these bacteria must be controlled.

Answer 4

b. The huge numbers of bacteria living in the large intestine must be prevented from entering the lumen of the small intestine and being absorbed with food’s nutrients into the blood stream.

Question 5

Bile salts break up the fat globule into smaller fat droplets. This role of bile salts is best described as ________.

Select one:

a. lipid digestion
b. lipid absorption
c. lipid emulsification
d. lipid ingestion

Answer 5

c. lipid emulsification

Question 6

A doctor consulting a patient that recently has had their gall bladder removed would likely advise ________.

Select one:

a. eating a low to no carb diet
b. eating fewer, but larger meals
c. eating foods that are low in fat
d. increasing unsaturated fats while eliminating trans fats in their diets

Answer 6

c. eating foods that are low in fat

Question 7

A ruptured appendix is life threatening because ________.

Select one:

a. it is likely to cause severe internal bleeding
b. it is likely to cause massive infection of the abdominopelvic cavity
c. loss of the appendix’s function will cause an immune deficiency in the digestive system
d. the large intestine will no longer be able to receive digested material from the small intestine

Answer 7

b. it is likely to cause massive infection of the abdominopelvic cavity

Question 8

Fat absorption through the plasma membrane of epithelial cells ________.

Select one:

a. occurs by simple diffusion because lipids are able to penetrate the hydrophobic fatty acid tails within the plasma membrane
b. requires enzymes attached to the brush border to further breakdown the fats
c. requires vesicular, active transport of the relatively large fatty acids and monoglyceride
d. is accomplished by cotransporters that use the concentration gradient of Na+ outside of the cells

Answer 8

a. occurs by simple diffusion because lipids are able to penetrate the hydrophobic fatty acid tails within the plasma membrane

Question 9

Select the best explanation for why protease enzymes are secreted in inactive forms.

Select one:

a. The enzymes would digest each other if they were not properly regulated.
b. The immunoglobulins protecting the digestive tract would be digested without proper regulation of protein digesting enzymes.
c. The cells producing inactive enzymes are themselves protected from the enzymes until they are safely within the lumen of the GI tract.
d. Inactive enzymes will simply be expelled with the feces if no protein is present in the digesting food; this will help to conserve energy.

Answer 9

c. The cells producing inactive enzymes are themselves protected from the enzymes until they are safely within the lumen of the GI tract.

Question 10

Select the description below that illustrates a difference between a sphincter and circular muscle.

Select one:

a. A sphincter is composed of smooth muscle while circular muscle is composed of skeletal muscle tissue.
b. A sphincter is a thickening of circular muscle that can prevent the movement of digesting materials while circular muscle is involved in propulsion digesting material.
c. Sphincters are found throughout the GI tract while circular muscle is found only in the proximal portion of the GI tract.
d. Sphincters are found in the proximal portion of the GI tract while circular muscle is found in the distal portions.

Answer 10

b. A sphincter is a thickening of circular muscle that can prevent the movement of digesting materials while circular muscle is involved in propulsion digesting material.

Question 11

In the enteric nervous system, a long reflexive pathway has an advantage over a short reflexive pathway in the fact that ________.

Select one:

a. long reflexive pathways last much longer than short reflexive pathways
b. long reflexive pathways are quicker to respond than short reflexive pathways
c. long reflexive pathways can be stimulated by things outside of the GI tract
d. long reflexive pathways can respond throughout the entire length of the GI tract while short reflexive pathways can only respond in the proximal end

Answer 11

c. long reflexive pathways can be stimulated by things outside of the GI tract

Question 12

All of the following are true of swallowing (deglutition) except one. Select the statement that is not true of swallowing.

Select one:

a. The mouth, pharynx and esophagus all take part in swallowing.
b. The voluntary phase of swallowing takes place within the mouth.
c. The epiglottis assists in propelling food into the trachea.
d. The involuntary portion of swallowing takes place in the pharynx.

Answer 12

c. The epiglottis assists in propelling food into the trachea.

Question 13

Some antacid drugs block histamine receptors, resulting in reduction of the production and excretion of stomach acid. These drugs have the biggest effect on which of the following?

Select one:

a. surface epithelial cells
b. chief cells
c. parietal cells
d. mucous neck cells

Answer 13

c. parietal cells

Question 14

Generally, the hormones secretin and cholecystokinin which are released by duodenal enteroendocrine cells will ________.

Select one:

a. decrease the activities of the accessory digestive organs
b. increase stomach emptying
c. increase the release of digestive enzymes and bile
d. increase the force of stomach contractions

Answer 14

c. increase the release of digestive enzymes and bile

Question 15

Specific enteroendocrine cells of the stomach, called G cells, are stimulated by partially digested proteins, caffeine, and rising pH. When stimulated, G cells secrete ________.

Select one:

a. ghrelin
b. pepsin
c. hydrochloric acid
d. gastrin

Answer 15

c. hydrochloric acid

Question 16

The mechanical and chemical receptors that control digestive activity are located ________.

Select one:

a. in the glandular tissue that surround the organ lumen
b. in the walls of the tract organs
c. in the pons and medulla
d. in the oral cavity

Answer 16

b. in the walls of the tract organs

Question 17

The function of the hepatic portal circulation is to ________.

Select one:

a. carry toxins to the kidney for disposal through the urinary tract
b. collect absorbed nutrients for metabolic processing in the liver
c. distribute hormones throughout the body
d. return glucose to the general circulation when blood sugar is low

Answer 17

b. collect absorbed nutrients for metabolic processing in the liver

Question 18

The chemical and mechanical processes of food breakdown are called ________.

Select one:

a. digestion
b. absorption
c. ingestion
d. secretion

Answer 18

a. digestion

Question 19

When we ingest large molecules such as lipids, carbohydrates, and proteins, they must undergo catabolic reactions whereby enzymes split these molecules. This series of reactions is called ________.

Select one:

a. absorption
b. secretion
c. chemical digestion
d. mechanical breakdown

Answer 19

c. chemical digestion

Question 20

The sheets of peritoneal membrane that hold the digestive tract in place are called ________.

Select one:

a. mesenteries
b. lamina propria
c. serosal lining
d. mucosal lining

Answer 20

a. mesenteries

Question 21

From the esophagus to the anal canal, the walls of every organ of the alimentary canal are made up of the same four basic layers. Arrange them in order from the lumen.

Select one:

a. muscularis externa, serosa, mucosa, and submucosa
b. serosa, mucosa, submucosa, and muscularis externa
c. submucosa, serosa, muscularis externa, and mucosa
d. mucosa, submucosa, muscularis externa, and serosa

Answer 21

d. mucosa, submucosa, muscularis externa, and serosa

Question 22

What part of the tooth bears the force and resists the friction of chewing?

Select one:

a. crown
b. enamel
c. pulp
d. cementum

Answer 22

b. enamel

Question 23

The capillaries that nourish the epithelium and absorb digested nutrients lie in the ________.

Select one:

a. submucosa
b. serosa
c. adventitia
d. lamina propria

Answer 23

c. adventitia

Question 24

Choose the incorrect statement regarding bile.

Select one:

a. Bile is both an excretory product and a digestive secretion.
b. Bile functions to emulsify fats.
c. Bile functions to carry bilirubin formed from breakdown of worn-out RBCs.
d. Bile contains enzymes for digestion.

Answer 24

d. Bile contains enzymes for digestion.

Question 25

The absorptive effectiveness of the small intestine is enhanced by increasing the surface area of the mucosal lining. Which of the following accomplish this task?

Select one:

a. villi, and microvilli
b. the vast array of digestive enzymes
c. Brunner’s glands and Peyer patches
d. the rugae and haustra

Answer 25

a. villi, and microvilli

Question 26

Select the statement that is true concerning primary teeth.

Select one:

a. There are 27 primary teeth, and the molars are permanent.
b. There are 24 primary teeth, and no new primary teeth appear after 13 months.
c. There are 20 primary teeth, and by 24 months of age, most children have all 20.
d. There are 32 primary teeth, and by 36 months of age, most children have all 32.

Answer 26

c. There are 20 primary teeth, and by 24 months of age, most children have all 20.

Question 27

Which of the following is true concerning the number and type of permanent teeth?

Select one:

a. There are 32 permanent teeth, and the wisdom teeth are the last to emerge.
b. There are 27 permanent teeth, and the first molars are usually the last to emerge.
c. The number of permanent teeth is always equal to the number of primary teeth.
d. The number of upper permanent teeth is not equal to the number of lower permanent teeth.

Answer 27

a. There are 32 permanent teeth, and the wisdom teeth are the last to emerge.

Question 28

Which of the following is not true of saliva?

Select one:

a. cleanses the mouth
b. contains enzymes that begin the breakdown of carbohydrates
c. moistens food and aids in compacting of the bolus
d. contains acids which aid in chemical digestion

Answer 28

d. contains acids which aid in chemical digestion

Question 29

The bolus is liquefied in the ________ and it is now called chyme.

Select one:

a. mouth
b. stomach
c. esophagus
d. small intestine

Answer 29

b. stomach

Question 30

Peristaltic waves are ________.

Select one:

a. segmental regions of the gastrointestinal tract
b. churning movements of the gastrointestinal tract that aid in mechanical breakdown of chyme
c. pendular movements of the gastrointestinal tract
d. waves of muscular contractions that propel contents from one point to another

Answer 30

d. waves of muscular contractions that propel contents from one point to another

Question 31

Pepsinogen, an inactive digestive enzyme, is secreted by the ________.

Select one:

a. chief cells of the stomach
b. parietal cells of the stomach
c. Brunner’s glands in the duodenum
d. goblet cells of the small intestine

Answer 31

a. chief cells of the stomach

Question 32

You have just eaten a meal high in complex carbohydrates. Which of the following enzymes will help to digest the meal?

Select one:

a. gastrin
b. amylase
c. cholecystokini
d. trypsin

Answer 32

a. gastrin

Question 33

The ducts that deliver bile and pancreatic juice from the liver and pancreas, respectively, unite to form the ________.

Select one:

a. portal vein
b. pancreatic acini
c. bile canaliculus
d. hepatopancreatic ampulla

Answer 33

d. hepatopancreatic ampulla

Question 34

Short-chain triglycerides found in foods such as butterfat molecules in milk are split by a specific enzyme in preparation for absorption. Which of the following enzymes is responsible?

Select one:

a. amylase
b. pepsin
c. lipase
d. chymotrypsin

Answer 34

c. lipase

Question 35

Hepatocytes do not ________.

Select one:

a. produce digestive enzymes
b. process nutrients
c. store fat-soluble vitamins
d. detoxify toxic chemicals

Answer 35

a. produce digestive enzymes

Question 36

Which vitamin requires intrinsic factor in order to be absorbed?

Select one:

a. A
b. B12
c. C
d. K

Answer 36

b. B12

Question 37

Gastric pits, as opposed to gastric glands, are completely lined with ________.

Select one:

a. parietal cells
b. enteroendocrine cells
c. mucous cells
d. chief cells

Answer 37

c. mucous cells

Question 38

Chemical digestion reduces large complex molecules to simpler compounds by the process of ________.

Select one:

a. mastication
b. catabolism
c. anabolism
d. excretion

Answer 38

b. catabolism

Question 39

The ________ contains lobules with sinusoids (lined with macrophages) that lead to a central venous structure.

Select one:

a. liver
b. spleen
c. pancreas
d. stomach

Answer 39

a. liver

Question 40

Digestion and absorption of which of the following would be affected the most if the liver were severely damaged?

Select one:

a. lipids
b. carbohydrates
c. proteins
d. starches

Answer 40

a. lipids

Question 41

The dental formula for an adult is 2-1-2-3. What does the 1 stand for?

Select one:

a. incisor tooth
b. molar tooth
c. premolar tooth
d. canine tooth

Answer 41

d. canine tooth

Question 42

The lamina propria is composed of ________.

Select one:

a. loose connective tissue
b. dense irregular connective tissue
c. dense regular connective tissue
d. reticular connective tissue

Answer 42

a. loose connective tissue

Question 43

Which of the following is (are) not important as a stimulus in the gastric phase of gastric secretion?

Select one:

a. distention
b. carbohydrates
c. peptides
d. low acidity

Answer 43

b. carbohydrates

Question 44

The function of goblet cells is to ________.

Select one:

a. absorb nutrients from digested food and store them for future use
b. produce mucus that protects parts of the digestive organs from the effects of powerful enzymes needed for food digestion
c. secrete buffers in order to keep the pH of the digestive tract close to neutral
d. provide protection against invading bacteria and other disease-causing organisms that enter the digestive tract in food

Answer 44

b. produce mucus that protects parts of the digestive organs from the effects of powerful enzymes needed for food digestion

Question 45

Which of the following is an essential role played by large intestine bacteria?

Select one:

a. produce gas
b. absorb bilirubin
c. synthesis of vitamin K
d. synthesize vitamins C and D

Answer 45

c. synthesis of vitamin K

Question 46

Nervous control of gastric secretion is provided by ________.

Select one:

a. somatic neurons in the spinal cord
b. the vagus nerve and enteric plexus
c. the rubrospinal tracts
d. the reticulospinal and vestibulospinal tracts

Answer 46

b. the vagus nerve and enteric plexus

Question 47

Which of the following are types of papillae on the tongue that contain taste buds?

Select one:

a. fungiform and circumvallate
b. palatine and circumvallate
c. circumvallate and filiform
d. fungiform, circumvallate, and filiform

Answer 47

a. fungiform and circumvallate

Question 48

Which of the following produce intrinsic factor?

Select one:

a. parietal cells
b. zymogenic cells
c. mucous neck cells
d. enteroendocrine cells

Answer 48

a. parietal cells

Question 49

Which of the following enzymes would be most active in the presence of high concentrations of protein fragments?

Select one:

a. dextrinase
b. amylase
c. trypsin
d. lipase

Answer 49

c. trypsin

Question 50

A child with restricted tongue movement may have a surgery that involves the cutting of the ________.

Select one:

a. lingual frenulum
b. palatine tonsils
c. uvula
d. terminal sulcus

Answer 50

a. lingual frenulum

Question 51

What stomach secretion is necessary for normal hemoglobin production in RBCs?

Select one:

a. HCl
b. pepsinogen
c. intrinsic factor
d. gastric lipase

Answer 51

c. intrinsic facto

Question 52

Select the correct statement about the regulation of gastric secretion.

Select one:

a. Vagus stimulation of the stomach results in decreased secretion of gastric juice.
b. The presence of food in the stomach prevents hormonal control of gastric secretion.
c. Gastric secretion can be stimulated before food has entered the mouth.
d. aGastric secretion is enhanced by very low pH (below a pH of 2).

Answer 52

c. Gastric secretion can be stimulated before food has entered the mouth.

Question 53

Paneth cells ________.

Select one:

a. secrete digestive enzymes
b. secrete hormones
c. secrete enzymes that kill bacteria
d. secrete bicarbonate ions

Answer 53

c. secrete enzymes that kill bacteria

Question 54

Select the correct statement about absorption.

Select one:

a. Eighty percent of ingested materials have been absorbed by the end of the large intestine.
b. Carbohydrates diffuse across the mucosal endothelium and are then actively transported into blood capillaries.
c. In the rare case that intact, whole proteins are transported across the mucosal endothelium, an immune response may be generated.
d. Amino acid transport is linked to chloride transport.

Answer 54

c. In the rare case that intact, whole proteins are transported across the mucosal endothelium, an immune response may be generated.

Question 55

The ingestion of a meal high in fat content would cause which of the following to occur?

Select one:

a. Increased production of trypsinogen.
b. This type of food would cause secretion of gastrin to cease, resulting in faster gastric emptying.
c. Bile would be released from the gallbladder to emulsify the fat in the duodenum.
d. The acid secretions from the stomach would be sufficient to digest this food but may cause heartburn.

Answer 55

c. Bile would be released from the gallbladder to emulsify the fat in the duodenum.