A. liver
B. pancreas
C. stomach
D. small intestine
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A) liver
- Correct: Urea is produced in the liver as a result of the breakdown of amino acids. Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins, and when proteins are metabolized for energy or other purposes, their constituent amino acids are broken down in a process called deamination. During deamination, the amino groups (-NH2) are removed from the amino acids, forming ammonia (NH3). The liver converts ammonia into urea through a series of biochemical reactions known as the urea cycle. Urea is then excreted by the kidneys in the urine, helping to remove nitrogenous waste from the body.
B) pancreas
- Incorrect: The pancreas is an organ involved in the production of digestive enzymes and hormones such as insulin and glucagon. It is not primarily responsible for the production of urea from the breakdown of amino acids.
C) stomach
- Incorrect: The stomach is primarily involved in the mechanical and chemical digestion of food, particularly proteins. While protein digestion begins in the stomach with the action of gastric juices containing enzymes such as pepsin, urea production from the breakdown of amino acids occurs mainly in the liver.
D) small intestine
- Incorrect: The small intestine is primarily involved in the absorption of nutrients from digested food, rather than the production of urea from the breakdown of amino acids. While some amino acids may be absorbed in the small intestine, urea production primarily occurs in the liver.
Therefore, the Correct Answer is A.
Which of these statements about bile is true?
A. About 500 mL is secreted daily.
B. Its main function is the denaturation of proteins.
C. It is synthesized in the gallbladder.
D. Bile salts are recycled.
The Correct Answer is D.d) Bile salts are recycled.
- Correct: Bile salts are recycled in the enterohepatic circulation. After aiding in the digestion and absorption of fats in the small intestine, bile salts are reabsorbed in the terminal ileum and transported back to the liver via the portal vein. Once in the liver, they are re-secreted into bile, allowing for their reuse in subsequent digestive processes. This recycling of bile salts is an important mechanism for conserving these critical components of bile.
a) About 500 mL is secreted daily.
- Incorrect: The daily secretion of bile by the liver is approximately 600-1000 mL, not 500 mL. Bile is continuously produced by hepatocytes (liver cells) and stored and concentrated in the gallbladder until it is released into the small intestine to aid in fat digestion.
b) Its main function is the denaturation of proteins.
- Incorrect: The main function of bile is not the denaturation of proteins. Bile aids in the emulsification and digestion of fats by breaking them down into smaller droplets, increasing the surface area for the action of pancreatic lipase and facilitating the absorption of lipids and fat-soluble vitamins.
c) It is synthesized in the gallbladder.
- Incorrect: Bile is not synthesized in the gallbladder. It is produced by hepatocytes (liver cells) in the liver and then stored and concentrated in the gallbladder until needed for digestion.
During the process of absorption, nutrients from food go from:
A. the intestines into the bladder
B. the blood into the organs
C. the intestines into the bloodstream
D. the mouth into the stomach
The Correct Answer is C.c. the intestines into the bloodstream
- Correct: During the process of absorption, nutrients from food pass from the intestines into the bloodstream. After food is broken down into its constituent nutrients through digestion in the stomach and small intestine, these nutrients are absorbed across the lining of the small intestine into the bloodstream. The small intestine is highly specialized for absorption, with villi and microvilli increasing the surface area available for nutrient absorption. Once absorbed into the bloodstream, nutrients are transported to various organs and tissues throughout the body to provide energy, support growth and repair, and maintain overall health.
a. the intestines into the bladder
- Incorrect: The bladder is part of the urinary system and is responsible for storing urine produced by the kidneys. Absorption of nutrients does not involve passage into the bladder.
b. the blood into the organs
- Incorrect: While nutrients absorbed into the bloodstream are indeed transported to various organs and tissues throughout the body, absorption itself occurs in the intestines, not directly from the blood into the organs.
d. the mouth into the stomach
- Incorrect: The mouth and stomach are primarily involved in the initial stages of digestion, including mechanical breakdown of food and the initiation of chemical digestion of carbohydrates and proteins. Absorption of nutrients occurs primarily in the small intestine, not from the mouth into the stomach.
Most of the nutrient absorption along the alimentary canal occurs in the
A. ascending colon
B. stomach
C. jejunum
D. ileum
The Correct Answer is C.C. jejunum
- Correct: Most of the nutrient absorption along the alimentary canal occurs in the jejunum, which is the middle segment of the small intestine. The jejunum has a highly folded inner surface covered with finger-like projections called villi and even smaller microvilli. These structures greatly increase the surface area available for absorption. The epithelial cells lining the villi contain numerous transport proteins and enzymes responsible for absorbing nutrients such as carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals into the bloodstream for distribution to the body's cells.
A. ascending colon
- Incorrect: The ascending colon is part of the large intestine (colon) where water and electrolytes are primarily absorbed, but it is not a major site of nutrient absorption.
B. stomach
- Incorrect: While some substances, such as water, electrolytes, alcohol, and certain drugs, can be absorbed in small amounts in the stomach, the stomach is not a major site of nutrient absorption. Its main function is to begin the digestion of proteins and store food temporarily.
D. ileum
- Incorrect: The ileum is the final segment of the small intestine, and while it does participate in nutrient absorption, the majority of nutrient absorption occurs in the jejunum, which precedes the ileum along the alimentary canal. The ileum primarily absorbs bile salts, vitamin B12, and some remaining nutrients not absorbed in the jejunum.
Which human excretory organ breaks down red blood cells and synthesizes urea?
A. lung
B. kidney
C. skin
D. liver
The Correct Answer is D.D) liver
- Correct: The liver is the human excretory organ that breaks down red blood cells and synthesizes urea. Red blood cells have a finite lifespan and are continually replaced by new cells produced in the bone marrow. When old or damaged red blood cells are removed from circulation, their components are broken down by macrophages, primarily in the spleen and liver. The liver plays a crucial role in this process by breaking down hemoglobin, the oxygen-carrying protein in red blood cells, into heme and globin. Heme is further broken down into bilirubin, which is excreted in bile and eventually eliminated from the body in feces. Additionally, the liver synthesizes urea as a waste product of protein metabolism, which is excreted by the kidneys in urine.
A) lung
- Incorrect: While the lungs play a role in the excretion of carbon dioxide during respiration, they are not involved in breaking down red blood cells or synthesizing urea.
B) kidney
- Incorrect: The kidneys are responsible for filtering blood to remove waste products and excess substances, such as urea, creatinine, and electrolytes, to produce urine. While the kidneys excrete urea synthesized by the liver, they do not break down red blood cells.
C) skin
- Incorrect: The skin is involved in excreting certain waste products, such as sweat (containing water, electrolytes, and small amounts of urea and other metabolic waste), but it does not break down red blood cells or synthesize urea.
Where does the chemical digestion of starch begin?
A. mouth
B. esophagus
C. stomach
D. small intestine
The Correct Answer is A.a) mouth
- Correct: The chemical digestion of starch begins in the mouth. Salivary amylase, an enzyme secreted by the salivary glands, initiates the breakdown of starch molecules into maltose and other smaller carbohydrate molecules. This process begins as soon as food enters the mouth and continues as it is mixed with saliva during chewing and swallowing.
b) esophagus
- Incorrect: The esophagus is not directly involved in the chemical digestion of starch. It serves primarily as a conduit for the passage of food from the mouth to the stomach via peristaltic contractions.
c) stomach
- Incorrect: While some minor digestion may occur in the stomach due to the presence of salivary amylase from swallowed saliva, the stomach is not the primary site of starch digestion. Its acidic environment inhibits the activity of salivary amylase, so significant starch digestion does not occur there.
d) small intestine
- Incorrect: Starch digestion continues in the small intestine, primarily in the duodenum, but it does not begin there. Enzymes such as pancreatic amylase and brush border enzymes further break down starch into simpler sugars in the small intestine.
Pancreatic juice ________.
A. deactivates bile.
B. is secreted by pancreatic islet cells.
C. buffers chyme.
D. is released into the cystic duct.
The Correct Answer is C.c) buffers chyme.
- Correct: Pancreatic juice contains bicarbonate ions, which act as buffers to neutralize the acidic chyme entering the duodenum from the stomach. This neutralization is essential for maintaining the optimal pH for the activity of digestive enzymes in the small intestine.
a) deactivates bile.
- Incorrect: Pancreatic juice does not deactivate bile. Bile is not deactivated in the digestive process; instead, it aids in the emulsification and digestion of fats in the small intestine.
b) is secreted by pancreatic islet cells.
- Incorrect: Pancreatic juice is secreted by exocrine cells called pancreatic acinar cells, not by pancreatic islet cells. Pancreatic islet cells secrete hormones such as insulin and glucagon, which regulate blood glucose levels.
d) is released into the cystic duct.
- Incorrect: Pancreatic juice is released into the duodenum through the pancreatic duct, not the cystic duct. The cystic duct connects the gallbladder to the common bile duct, allowing bile to be released into the duodenum when needed for digestion.
Which of these is involved in the chemical digestion of protein?
A. pancreatic amylase
B. trypsin
C. sucrase
D. pancreatic nuclease
The Correct Answer is B.b) trypsin
- Correct: Trypsin is an enzyme involved in the chemical digestion of protein. It is secreted as trypsinogen by the pancreas and activated to its active form, trypsin, by enterokinase in the duodenum. Trypsin breaks down proteins into smaller peptides by cleaving peptide bonds between specific amino acids.
a) pancreatic amylase
- Incorrect: Pancreatic amylase is an enzyme involved in the digestion of carbohydrates (starches). It breaks down starch molecules into maltose and other simpler sugars.
c) sucrase
- Incorrect: Sucrase is an enzyme involved in the digestion of disaccharide sugars, specifically sucrose. It catalyzes the hydrolysis of sucrose into its constituent monosaccharides, glucose, and fructose.
d) pancreatic nuclease
- Incorrect: Pancreatic nuclease is an enzyme involved in the digestion of nucleic acids (DNA and RNA). It breaks down nucleic acid molecules into their component nucleotides.
Which structure is located where the esophagus penetrates the diaphragm?
A. esophageal hiatus
B. cardiac orifice
C. upper esophageal sphincter
D. lower esophageal sphincter
The Correct Answer is A.a) esophageal hiatus
- Correct: The structure located where the esophagus penetrates the diaphragm is called the esophageal hiatus. The esophagus passes through an opening in the diaphragm known as the esophageal hiatus as it descends from the thoracic cavity into the abdominal cavity. This hiatus allows the esophagus to connect the pharynx to the stomach.
b) cardiac orifice
- Incorrect: The cardiac orifice is the opening of the stomach into the esophagus. It is located at the superior portion of the stomach and is surrounded by the lower esophageal sphincter. It is not located where the esophagus penetrates the diaphragm.
c) upper esophageal sphincter
- Incorrect: The upper esophageal sphincter is a muscular ring located at the upper end of the esophagus, where it meets the pharynx. It controls the passage of food from the pharynx into the esophagus but is not located where the esophagus penetrates the diaphragm.
d) lower esophageal sphincter
- Incorrect: The lower esophageal sphincter (LES), also known as the cardiac sphincter, is a muscular ring located at the lower end of the esophagus, where it meets the stomach. It controls the passage of food from the esophagus into the stomach but is not located where the esophagus penetrates the diaphragm.
Which of these cells secrete hormones?
A. parietal cells
B. mucous neck cells
C. enteroendocrine cells
D. chief cells
The Correct Answer is C.c) enteroendocrine cells
- Correct: Enteroendocrine cells are specialized cells located in the epithelium of the gastrointestinal tract that secrete hormones. These hormones play various roles in the regulation of digestion, nutrient absorption, and other physiological processes. Examples of hormones secreted by enteroendocrine cells include gastrin, secretin, cholecystokinin (CCK), and ghrelin.
a) parietal cells
- Incorrect: Parietal cells are found in the gastric glands of the stomach and secrete hydrochloric acid (HCl) and intrinsic factor, but they do not secrete hormones.
b) mucous neck cells
- Incorrect: Mucous neck cells are found in the gastric glands of the stomach and secrete mucus, which helps protect the stomach lining from the acidic environment, but they do not secrete hormones.
d) chief cells
- Incorrect: Chief cells are found in the gastric glands of the stomach and secrete pepsinogen, the precursor to the enzyme pepsin, which plays a role in protein digestion. Chief cells do not secrete hormones.
What is the role of the small intestine’s MALT?
A. secreting mucus
B. buffering acidic chyme
C. activating pepsin
D. preventing bacteria from entering the bloodstream
The Correct Answer is B.b) buffering acidic chyme
- Correct: MALT (Mucosa-Associated Lymphoid Tissue) in the small intestine plays a role in buffering acidic chyme. MALT contains immune cells, such as lymphocytes and plasma cells, that help protect the intestinal mucosa from pathogens and foreign substances. Additionally, MALT helps regulate the pH of the intestinal contents by neutralizing acidic chyme, which is important for optimal enzymatic activity and absorption in the small intestine.
a) secreting mucus
- Incorrect: The secretion of mucus is primarily the role of goblet cells, which are scattered throughout the epithelium of the small intestine. Mucus serves to lubricate and protect the intestinal epithelium from mechanical damage and chemical irritation.
c) activating pepsin
- Incorrect: Pepsin is an enzyme involved in protein digestion, and its activation primarily occurs in the stomach under acidic conditions. It is produced as pepsinogen by chief cells in the gastric glands and is activated by hydrochloric acid (HCl) secreted by parietal cells.
d) preventing bacteria from entering the bloodstream
- Incorrect: While MALT helps protect the intestinal mucosa from pathogens and foreign substances, its primary role is not to prevent bacteria from entering the bloodstream. Instead, MALT functions in the local immune defense of the mucosal surface of the intestine, including the initiation of immune responses against pathogens encountered in the gastrointestinal tract.