The pancreas is an organ connected to the digestive tract of humans by a duct (tube) through which digestive enzymes flow. Why are these enzymes important to the digestive system?
A. They form proteins needed in the stomach.
B. They form the acids that break down food.
C. They change food substances into molecules that can pass into the bloodstream and cells.
D. They change food materials into wastes that can be passed out of the body.
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C) They change food substances into molecules that can pass into the bloodstream and cells.
- Correct: Digestive enzymes secreted by the pancreas play a crucial role in breaking down complex food molecules into smaller, absorbable molecules that can pass through the walls of the small intestine and into the bloodstream. These smaller molecules include carbohydrates broken down into simple sugars, proteins broken down into amino acids, and fats broken down into fatty acids and glycerol. Once these molecules are absorbed into the bloodstream, they can be transported to cells throughout the body to provide energy and support various metabolic processes.
A) They form proteins needed in the stomach.
- Incorrect: Digestive enzymes do not form proteins needed in the stomach. Proteins are broken down into amino acids by digestive enzymes, but the enzymes themselves do not form proteins.
B) They form the acids that break down food.
- Incorrect: Digestive enzymes do not form acids. Acids such as hydrochloric acid are secreted by the stomach and aid in the breakdown of food, particularly proteins, but they are not formed by pancreatic enzymes.
D) They change food materials into wastes that can be passed out of the body.
- Incorrect: While digestive enzymes help break down food materials, their primary function is to convert these materials into absorbable molecules rather than wastes. The conversion of food into waste products occurs primarily through processes in the digestive tract and is facilitated by enzymes as part of digestion, but it is not the direct role of pancreatic enzymes.
Therefore, the Correct Answer is C.
More Questions on Digestive System Practice Exam 1
Question 1:
Into which parts of the human digestive system are digestive enzymes secreted?
A. mouth, esophagus, stomach
B. stomach, small intestine, large intestine
C. mouth, stomach, small intestine
D. esophagus, stomach, large intestine
The Correct Answer is C.A) Mouth, Esophagus, Stomach: This option is incorrect because while saliva in the mouth does contain digestive enzymes (such as amylase for breaking down carbohydrates), the esophagus is not a site of enzyme secretion. The stomach secretes gastric juices which primarily contain hydrochloric acid and pepsinogen (which is converted to pepsin, a protein-digesting enzyme), but the esophagus itself does not secrete digestive enzymes.
B) Stomach, Small Intestine, Large Intestine: This option is incorrect because while both the small intestine and the large intestine play crucial roles in digestion and absorption, enzyme secretion mainly occurs in the stomach and small intestine. The large intestine primarily absorbs water and salts and does not secrete digestive enzymes.
C) Mouth, Stomach, Small Intestine: This option is correct. Enzymes are secreted in the mouth (amylase), stomach (pepsin for protein digestion), and small intestine (various enzymes including pancreatic enzymes like lipase, protease, and amylase, as well as enzymes produced by the intestinal lining).
D) Esophagus, Stomach, Large Intestine: This option is incorrect because while the stomach does secrete digestive enzymes, the esophagus and large intestine do not. The large intestine primarily absorbs water and salts and does not secrete digestive enzymes.
Question 2:
If no carbohydrate ingestion occurs in the body during a 24-hour period, liver activity provides for the body's needs by
A. emulsification
B. manufacturing more bile
C. converting glycogen into glucose
D. releasing iron
The Correct Answer is C.C) converting glycogen into glucose
- Correct: When no carbohydrate ingestion occurs in the body during a 24-hour period, the liver can provide for the body's glucose needs by converting stored glycogen into glucose through a process known as glycogenolysis. Glycogen is a polysaccharide that serves as a storage form of glucose in the liver and muscles. When blood glucose levels decrease, such as during fasting or low carbohydrate intake, the liver breaks down glycogen into glucose molecules, which are then released into the bloodstream to maintain blood glucose levels and provide energy to cells throughout the body.
A) emulsification
- Incorrect: Emulsification is a process by which bile breaks down large fat globules into smaller droplets to aid in fat digestion in the small intestine. It is not related to the liver's role in glucose metabolism.
B) manufacturing more bile
- Incorrect: The liver produces bile continuously, regardless of carbohydrate ingestion. While the liver's production of bile is important for fat digestion and absorption, it is not directly related to glucose metabolism.
D) releasing iron
- Incorrect: The liver is involved in storing and regulating iron levels in the body, but releasing iron is not directly related to providing for the body's glucose needs in the absence of carbohydrate ingestion.
Question 3:
All of the following are organs of the digestive system except
A. the stomach
B. the mouth
C. the intestines
D. the heart
The Correct Answer is D.A) The stomach - This is an organ of the digestive system. It plays a crucial role in breaking down food through the secretion of gastric juices, which contain enzymes and acids to begin the process of digestion. Therefore, option A is correct.
B) The mouth - The mouth is also an organ of the digestive system. It is where the process of digestion begins, as it is responsible for chewing and breaking down food into smaller pieces. Additionally, saliva produced in the mouth contains enzymes that start the chemical breakdown of food. Therefore, option B is correct.
C) The intestines - Both the small intestine and the large intestine are essential organs of the digestive system. The small intestine is where most of the absorption of nutrients from food occurs, while the large intestine absorbs water and salts from the material that has not been digested. Therefore, option C is correct.
D) The heart - The heart is not an organ of the digestive system. Instead, it is a part of the circulatory system responsible for pumping blood throughout the body. While the circulatory system works in conjunction with the digestive system to transport nutrients absorbed from the intestines to various tissues and organs, the heart itself is not directly involved in digestion. Therefore, option D is incorrect.
Question 4:
In humans, structures that release digestive secretions directly into the small intestine include both the
A. salivary glands and the pancreas
B. gall bladder and the lacteals
C. villi and the salivary glands
D. pancreas and the gall bladder
The Correct Answer is D.D) pancreas and the gallbladder
- Correct: Both the pancreas and the gallbladder release digestive secretions directly into the small intestine. The pancreas secretes pancreatic enzymes (such as amylase, lipase, and proteases) into the small intestine to aid in the digestion of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. The gallbladder stores bile produced by the liver, which is released into the small intestine to aid in the emulsification and digestion of fats.
A) salivary glands and the pancreas
- Incorrect: While the pancreas releases digestive secretions directly into the small intestine, the salivary glands secrete saliva into the mouth, which contains enzymes (such as amylase) that begin the digestion of carbohydrates. Salivary glands do not release digestive secretions directly into the small intestine.
B) gall bladder and the lacteals
- Incorrect: The gallbladder stores bile produced by the liver, which is released into the small intestine to aid in fat digestion. Lacteals are lymphatic vessels found in the villi of the small intestine and are involved in the absorption of fats, but they do not release digestive secretions directly into the small intestine.
C) villi and the salivary glands
- Incorrect: Villi are finger-like projections in the small intestine that increase the surface area for absorption of nutrients but do not release digestive secretions directly into the small intestine. Salivary glands secrete saliva into the mouth to initiate the digestion of carbohydrates but do not release digestive secretions directly into the small intestine.
Question 5:
In some regions of the world, children suffer from a protein deficiency known as kwashiorkor. This deficiency occurs when a child's diet is changed from high-protein breast milk to watery cereal. Even though the child is receiving calories, the child becomes sick and less active, and growth ceases. These symptoms are probably due to
A. too many nucleic acids in the diet
B. an overconsumption of complete protein foods
C. not enough carbohydrates in the diet
D. a lack of essential amino acids in the diet
The Correct Answer is D.D) a lack of essential amino acids in the diet
- Correct: Kwashiorkor is a form of severe acute malnutrition that occurs due to inadequate protein intake, particularly deficient in essential amino acids. When a child's diet is changed from high-protein breast milk to watery cereal, which is often low in protein and deficient in essential amino acids, the child may develop kwashiorkor despite receiving calories. Essential amino acids are necessary for proper growth, immune function, and overall health. Without an adequate supply of essential amino acids, the body cannot synthesize proteins required for various physiological processes, leading to symptoms such as stunted growth, lethargy, edema (swelling), and weakened immune function, which are characteristic of kwashiorkor.
A) too many nucleic acids in the diet
- Incorrect: Kwashiorkor is not caused by an excess of nucleic acids in the diet. Nucleic acids are the building blocks of DNA and RNA and are not directly related to the development of kwashiorkor.
B) an overconsumption of complete protein foods
- Incorrect: Kwashiorkor results from a deficiency in protein intake, particularly inadequate consumption of essential amino acids, rather than an overconsumption of complete protein foods.
C) not enough carbohydrates in the diet
- Incorrect: While a diet lacking in carbohydrates can lead to energy deficiency, it does not directly cause the symptoms of kwashiorkor. Kwashiorkor is primarily associated with inadequate protein intake, not insufficient carbohydrate intake.
Question 6:
In humans, chemical digestion is accomplished
A. by enzyme action that begins in the mouth and ends in the
B. esophagus
C. stomach
D. small intestine
The Correct Answer is C.C) small intestine
- Correct: Chemical digestion in humans is a complex process involving various enzymes acting on different nutrients. While digestion does begin in the mouth with the action of enzymes like salivary amylase on carbohydrates, the majority of chemical digestion occurs in the small intestine. Enzymes secreted by the pancreas (such as pancreatic amylase, lipase, and proteases) and the small intestine itself (such as maltase, sucrase, lactase, and peptidases) break down carbohydrates, fats, and proteins into smaller molecules. Additionally, bile salts produced by the liver and stored in the gallbladder aid in the emulsification and digestion of fats in the small intestine. Therefore, chemical digestion largely concludes in the small intestine before nutrients are absorbed into the bloodstream.
A) esophagus
- Incorrect: The esophagus is primarily involved in the mechanical process of swallowing, which pushes food down into the stomach. While some minor enzymatic activity may occur due to saliva coating the food during swallowing, significant chemical digestion does not occur in the esophagus.
B) stomach
- Incorrect: While the stomach does play a role in chemical digestion, particularly in the breakdown of proteins by the enzyme pepsin and the denaturation of proteins by hydrochloric acid, the majority of chemical digestion occurs in the small intestine. The stomach mainly serves to mechanically churn food and begin the process of protein digestion.
D) gallbladder
- Incorrect: The gallbladder stores and releases bile produced by the liver, which aids in the emulsification and digestion of fats in the small intestine. However, the gallbladder itself is not directly involved in chemical digestion, and the majority of digestive enzymes are not secreted or stored in the gallbladder.
Question 7:
Base your answer to the following question on the diagram below.
A digestive function of organ C is the synthesis and secretion of
A. salivary amylase
B. protease
C. hydrochloric acid
D. bile
The Correct Answer is B.Protease enzymes are responsible for breaking down proteins in our food into amino acids. Then different enzymes join amino acids together to form new proteins needed by the body for growth and repair. Protease enzymes are produced in pancreas.
Question 8:
Which of these nutrients is absorbed mainly in the duodenum?
A. glucose
B. iron
C. sodium
D. water
The Correct Answer is B.b) iron
- Correct: Iron is mainly absorbed in the duodenum, particularly in its proximal portion. Iron absorption occurs through active transport mechanisms facilitated by specialized transport proteins in the duodenal epithelial cells. Once absorbed, iron can be transported into the bloodstream and utilized for various physiological functions, including the production of hemoglobin and other iron-containing proteins.
a) glucose
- Incorrect: Glucose is primarily absorbed in the small intestine, but its absorption occurs mainly in the jejunum and ileum rather than the duodenum. Glucose is absorbed through facilitated diffusion and active transport mechanisms in the epithelial cells lining the small intestine.
c) sodium
- Incorrect: Sodium is absorbed throughout the small intestine, including the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum. Its absorption occurs through active transport mechanisms in the epithelial cells lining the intestinal mucosa, primarily in conjunction with glucose and other nutrients.
d) water
- Incorrect: Absorption of water indeed takes place in the large intestine, particularly in the colon.
Question 9:
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 10:
What occurs during the digestion of proteins?
A. Specific enzymes break down proteins into amino acids.
B. Specific hormones break down proteins into simple sugars.
C. Specific hormones break down proteins into complex starches.
D. Specific enzymes break down proteins into simple sugars.
The Correct Answer is A.A) Specific enzymes break down proteins into amino acids.
- Correct: This is the correct answer. Proteins are broken down into their constituent amino acids by specific enzymes during the process of digestion. Enzymes like pepsin in the stomach and various proteases in the small intestine facilitate this breakdown.
B) Specific hormones break down proteins into simple sugars.
- Incorrect: Hormones are not directly involved in breaking down proteins into simple sugars. Hormones are signaling molecules that regulate various processes in the body, including metabolism, but they don't directly participate in the breakdown of proteins into sugars.
C) Specific hormones break down proteins into complex starches.
- Incorrect: Hormones do not break down proteins into complex starches. Proteins are broken down into amino acids by enzymes, not hormones. Starches are complex carbohydrates and are broken down into simple sugars by enzymes like amylase, not proteins.
D) Specific enzymes break down proteins into simple sugars.
- Incorrect: Proteins are not broken down into simple sugars. They are broken down into amino acids by specific enzymes. Simple sugars come from the breakdown of carbohydrates, not proteins.