Feces is usually about 40 percent water and 60 percent solid matter. Reducing the water content to 20 percent would most likely result in
A. ulcers
B. appendicitis
C. diarrhea
D. constipation
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D) constipation
- Correct: Feces with reduced water content, such as reducing the water content to 20 percent, would result in constipation. Constipation refers to infrequent bowel movements or difficulty passing stool, often characterized by hard, dry, and difficult-to-pass stools. When feces have less water content, they become harder and drier, making them more difficult to pass through the intestines. This can lead to discomfort, straining during bowel movements, and a sense of incomplete evacuation.
A) ulcers
- Incorrect: Ulcers are sores or lesions that develop in the lining of the digestive tract, commonly in the stomach or the upper part of the small intestine. They are not directly related to changes in the water content of feces.
B) appendicitis
- Incorrect: Appendicitis is inflammation of the appendix, a small pouch located near the junction of the small and large intestines. It is not directly related to changes in the water content of feces.
C) diarrhea
- Incorrect: Diarrhea refers to frequent, loose, or watery bowel movements. Reduced water content in feces would lead to constipation rather than diarrhea.
Therefore, the Correct Answer is D.
More Questions on Digestive System Practice Exam 1
Question 1:
The digestion of food and subsequent absorption into the bloodstream is important because
A. absorbed food is toxic to the body
B. absorbed food stimulates reproduction
C. absorbed food is the raw material for metabolism
D. absorbed food aids in respiration
The Correct Answer is C.C) absorbed food is the raw material for metabolism
- Correct: The digestion of food and subsequent absorption into the bloodstream are essential processes because absorbed food molecules serve as the raw material for metabolism. Once nutrients from food are absorbed into the bloodstream, they are transported to cells throughout the body where they are used for various metabolic processes. Carbohydrates are broken down into glucose, which is used for energy production. Proteins are broken down into amino acids, which are used for building and repairing tissues, as well as for synthesizing enzymes and hormones. Fats are broken down into fatty acids and glycerol, which are used for energy production and for building cell membranes and certain hormones. Overall, absorbed food molecules provide the necessary energy and building blocks for cellular activities, growth, and maintenance of the body.
A) absorbed food is toxic to the body
- Incorrect: Absorbed food is not inherently toxic to the body. In fact, nutrients obtained from food are essential for the body's survival and proper functioning. However, certain substances in food may be harmful if absorbed in excessive amounts, such as certain vitamins or minerals. Generally, the body has mechanisms to regulate nutrient absorption and maintain homeostasis.
B) absorbed food stimulates reproduction
- Incorrect: While proper nutrition is important for overall health and fertility, absorbed food does not directly stimulate reproduction. Reproduction is regulated by various hormones and physiological processes within the body.
D) absorbed food aids in respiration
- Incorrect: While nutrients obtained from food are used by cells for energy production through respiration, absorbed food itself does not directly aid in respiration. Respiration is a complex physiological process that involves the exchange of gases (oxygen and carbon dioxide) in the lungs and cellular respiration within cells to produce energy.
Question 2:
Base your answer to the following question on Which statement best expresses the information represented in the graph shown below?
A. The action of enzymes varies with pH.
B. A pH of 7 provides the optimum environment for digestive enzymes.
C. Gastric juice is active at a pH extending from 0 to 12.
D. Acids have a pH greater than 7.
The Correct Answer is A.The action of enzymes vary with pH. Enzymes are proteins that catalyze biochemical reactions, and their activity is influenced by various factors including pH.
The pH level affects the ionization state of amino acid residues within the enzyme's active site. This, in turn, can affect the enzyme's ability to bind substrate molecules and catalyze reactions.
Different enzymes have different optimal pH ranges at which they exhibit maximum activity. This optimal pH range is determined by the specific environment in which the enzyme typically functions. For example, pepsin, which is involved in digesting proteins in the stomach, works optimally at an acidic pH around 2, whereas enzymes in the small intestine function optimally at a slightly alkaline pH around 7 to 8.
Extreme deviations from the optimal pH can denature enzymes, causing them to lose their structure and function. Therefore, maintaining the appropriate pH level is crucial for ensuring the proper functioning of enzymes in biochemical reactions.
Question 3:
The absorptive surface of the small intestine is greater than that of other human digestive organs because of its length and the presence of
A. alveoli
B. neurons
C. villi
D. nephrons
The Correct Answer is C.C) villi
- Correct: The absorptive surface of the small intestine is greatly increased due to the presence of villi. Villi are finger-like projections that line the inner surface of the small intestine. These structures greatly increase the surface area available for absorption. Each villus contains capillaries and lacteals (lymphatic vessels) that absorb nutrients from digested food. The large surface area provided by the villi allows for more efficient absorption of nutrients such as carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals.
A) alveoli
- Incorrect: Alveoli are tiny air sacs in the lungs where gas exchange occurs during respiration. They are not found in the digestive system and do not contribute to the absorptive surface of the small intestine.
B) neurons
- Incorrect: Neurons are nerve cells that transmit signals throughout the body, including the digestive system. While neurons play a role in regulating digestion and other digestive processes, they do not directly contribute to the absorptive surface of the small intestine.
D) nephrons
- Incorrect: Nephrons are the functional units of the kidneys responsible for filtering blood and producing urine. They are not part of the digestive system and do not contribute to the absorptive surface of the small intestine.
Question 4:
Which components of the human diet contain the greatest amounts of sugars and starches?
A. meat and eggs
B. fruits and vegetables
C. minerals and milk
D. water and vitamins
The Correct Answer is B.B) fruits and vegetables
- Correct: Fruits and vegetables contain the greatest amounts of sugars and starches in the human diet. Both fruits and vegetables are rich sources of carbohydrates, including natural sugars, fiber, and starches. These carbohydrates provide a readily available source of energy for the body. Examples of fruits with natural sugars include apples, bananas, and grapes, while starch-containing vegetables include potatoes, corn, and peas.
A) meat and eggs
- Incorrect: Meat and eggs are primarily sources of proteins and fats, not sugars and starches. They contain minimal amounts of carbohydrates.
C) minerals and milk
- Incorrect: Minerals are inorganic compounds essential for various physiological functions, and milk is a source of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates (mainly lactose, a sugar). While milk contains some sugars, fruits and vegetables typically contribute more significant amounts of sugars and starches to the diet.
D) water and vitamins
- Incorrect: Water and vitamins are essential components of the diet, but they do not contain sugars and starches. Water is a vital component for hydration, and vitamins are organic compounds required for various biochemical processes in the body.
Question 5:
A branch of the nerve regulating the secretions of the stomach can be cut surgically. The decrease in hydrochloric acid secretion that would result from this procedure would be most helpful to an individual with
A. diarrhea
B. appendicitis
C. gallstones
D. ulcers
The Correct Answer is D.D) ulcers
- Correct: The decrease in hydrochloric acid secretion resulting from the surgical cutting of a branch of the nerve regulating stomach secretions would be most helpful to an individual with ulcers. Ulcers are sores or lesions that develop in the lining of the stomach, small intestine, or esophagus due to factors such as infection with Helicobacter pylori bacteria, prolonged use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), or excessive alcohol consumption. Hydrochloric acid plays a significant role in the formation and exacerbation of ulcers by increasing the acidity of the stomach, which can irritate and erode the lining of the gastrointestinal tract. Therefore, reducing hydrochloric acid secretion can help alleviate the symptoms and promote healing of ulcers.
A) diarrhea
- Incorrect: Decreasing hydrochloric acid secretion would not directly address the underlying causes of diarrhea, which may be related to infections, dietary issues, or other factors affecting gastrointestinal motility and water absorption.
B) appendicitis
- Incorrect: Appendicitis is inflammation of the appendix, a small pouch located near the junction of the small and large intestines. Decreasing hydrochloric acid secretion would not directly affect the development or treatment of appendicitis.
C) gallstones
- Incorrect: Gallstones are hardened deposits that form in the gallbladder and can obstruct the flow of bile. Decreasing hydrochloric acid secretion would not directly address the formation or treatment of gallstones, as they are primarily composed of cholesterol or bilirubin, not affected by changes in stomach acid levels.
Question 6:
The enzyme pepsin is produced in the cells of the stomach but not in the cells of the small intestine. The small intestine produces a different enzyme, trypsin. The reason that the stomach and small intestine produce different enzymes is that the gene that codes for pepsin is
A. in the cells of the stomach, but not in the cells of the small intestine
B. expressed in the stomach but not expressed in the small intestine
C. mutated in the small intestine
D. digested by the trypsin in the small intestine
The Correct Answer is B.Enzymes are proteins that catalyze specific biochemical reactions in living organisms.
The production of enzymes is regulated by gene expression, where specific genes are activated (expressed) to produce particular enzymes in different cells or tissues.
In this case, the gene responsible for coding the enzyme pepsin is expressed in the cells of the stomach, leading to the production of pepsin in the stomach.
Conversely, the gene for trypsin is expressed in the cells of the small intestine, resulting in the production of trypsin in the small intestine.
Therefore, the reason that the stomach and small intestine produce different enzymes is due to the differential gene expression in these respective tissues.
Question 7:
The pancreas is an organ connected to the digestive tract of humans by a duct (tube) through
A. which digestive enzymes flow. These enzymes are important to the digestive system because
B. they
C. form proteins needed in the stomach
D. form the acids that break down food
The Correct Answer is C.The enzymes secreted by the pancreas play a crucial role in the digestion process by breaking down various nutrients, such as carbohydrates, proteins, and fats, into smaller molecules.
These smaller molecules are then absorbed through the walls of the small intestine into the bloodstream and subsequently transported to cells throughout the body for energy production, growth, and repair.
Therefore, these enzymes are essential for converting complex food substances into molecules that can be utilized by the body's cells for various metabolic processes.
Question 8:
Three days after an organism eats some meat, many of the organic molecules originally contained in the meat would be found in newly formed molecules of
A. glucose
B. protein
C. starch
D. oxygen
The Correct Answer is B.B) protein
- Correct: After an organism consumes meat, the organic molecules present in the meat, such as amino acids and lipids, are broken down through the process of digestion. These molecules are then absorbed into the bloodstream and transported to various cells throughout the body. In the cells, these molecules are used as building blocks for synthesizing new proteins. Proteins are essential macromolecules involved in numerous cellular functions, including structural support, enzymatic activity, and regulation of cellular processes. Therefore, many of the organic molecules originally contained in the meat would be found in newly formed molecules of protein within the organism's cells.
A) glucose
- Incorrect: Glucose is a simple sugar that is primarily derived from the digestion of carbohydrates. While some amino acids obtained from the digestion of protein can be converted into glucose through gluconeogenesis, the majority of amino acids are used for protein synthesis, not glucose production.
C) starch
- Incorrect: Starch is a complex carbohydrate found in plants. It is not typically present in meat, and it is not directly synthesized from the organic molecules obtained from meat consumption.
D) oxygen
- Incorrect: Oxygen is a gas essential for cellular respiration but is not synthesized from the organic molecules obtained from meat consumption. Oxygen is mainly obtained through breathing and is used in cellular respiration to generate ATP, the energy currency of the cell.
Question 9:
Which two organ systems provide materials required for the human body to produce ATP?
A. reproductive and excretory
B. digestive and respiratory
C. respiratory and immune
D. digestive and reproductive
The Correct Answer is B.The digestive system provides materials in the form of nutrients from food, such as carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. These nutrients are broken down during digestion and absorbed into the bloodstream.
The respiratory system provides oxygen, which is necessary for cellular respiration, the process by which ATP (adenosine triphosphate) is produced in cells. Oxygen is inhaled into the lungs and diffuses into the bloodstream to be transported to cells throughout the body.
Question 10:
Which disorder would most directly interfere with the emulsification of fats?
A. bronchitis
B. gout
C. goiter
D. gallstones
The Correct Answer is D.D) gallstones
- Correct: Gallstones would most directly interfere with the emulsification of fats. Emulsification of fats is primarily facilitated by bile, a digestive fluid produced by the liver and stored in the gallbladder. Gallstones are hardened deposits that form in the gallbladder, often consisting of cholesterol or bilirubin. These stones can obstruct the flow of bile from the gallbladder into the small intestine, impairing the emulsification of fats and leading to difficulties in fat digestion and absorption. This obstruction can result in symptoms such as abdominal pain, nausea, and indigestion.
A) bronchitis
- Incorrect: Bronchitis is inflammation of the bronchial tubes in the lungs and does not directly interfere with the emulsification of fats in the digestive system.
B) gout
- Incorrect: Gout is a form of arthritis characterized by the accumulation of uric acid crystals in the joints, typically affecting the feet. It does not directly interfere with the emulsification of fats in the digestive system.
C) goiter
- Incorrect: Goiter is an abnormal enlargement of the thyroid gland in the neck, often due to iodine deficiency or thyroid disorders. It does not directly interfere with the emulsification of fats in the digestive system.