The pancreas, liver, and gallbladder help digestion in these ways, respectively:

A. making enzymes; making bile and processing nutrients; and storing bile

B. producing saliva; digesting carbohydrates; and eliminating waste

C. producing hormones; producing enzymes; and eliminating waste

D. making acids; producing digestive juices; and storing enzymes

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Answer Explanation:

a. making enzymes; making bile and processing nutrients; and storing bile

- Correct: The pancreas, liver, and gallbladder help digestion in the following ways:

1. The pancreas produces and secretes digestive enzymes into the small intestine to aid in the breakdown of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. These enzymes include amylase (for carbohydrates), proteases (for proteins), and lipases (for fats).

2. The liver produces bile, a digestive fluid that emulsifies fats by breaking them down into smaller droplets, which increases the surface area for enzymes to act upon. The liver also processes nutrients absorbed from the small intestine, including carbohydrates, proteins, and fats.

3. The gallbladder stores and concentrates bile produced by the liver. When needed for digestion, the gallbladder releases bile into the small intestine via the common bile duct to aid in the emulsification and digestion of fats.

Therefore, option a accurately describes the roles of the pancreas, liver, and gallbladder in digestion.

Therefore, the Correct Answer is A.

More Questions on Digestive System Practice Exam 2

Question 1:

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.


Question 2:

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.


Question 3:

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.


Question 4:

The small intestine possesses permanent folds along its length known as

A. plicae circulares

B. haustra

C. villi

D. intestinal crypts

The Correct Answer is A.

A. plicae circulares

- Correct: The small intestine possesses permanent folds along its length known as plicae circulares, also called circular folds or valvulae conniventes. These folds are permanent transverse ridges of the mucosa and submucosa that project into the lumen of the small intestine. They increase the surface area for absorption and digestion by slowing the passage of chyme and increasing contact between chyme and the intestinal lining, facilitating nutrient absorption.

B. haustra

- Incorrect: Haustra are pouches or sacculations formed by the muscularis externa of the colon (large intestine), not the folds of the small intestine.

C. villi

- Incorrect: Villi are finger-like projections of the mucosa of the small intestine that extend into the lumen. While villi increase the surface area for absorption, they are not permanent folds along the length of the small intestine.

D. intestinal crypts

- Incorrect: Intestinal crypts, also known as crypts of Lieberkühn, are invaginations of the epithelium located between villi in the mucosa of the small intestine. They contain stem cells that continuously divide and give rise to new epithelial cells, helping to replenish the epithelial lining of the intestine. Crypts are not permanent folds along the length of the small intestine.


Question 5:

Which of these ingredients in saliva is responsible for activating salivary amylase?

A. mucus

B. phosphate ions

C. chloride ions

D. urea

The Correct Answer is B.

b) phosphate ions

- Correct: Phosphate ions are responsible for activating salivary amylase. Saliva contains salivary amylase (also known as alpha-amylase or ptyalin), which is an enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis of starch into maltose and other smaller carbohydrates. However, salivary amylase is only activated in the presence of certain ions, particularly phosphate ions. These ions help to stabilize the enzyme's structure and facilitate its enzymatic activity. Therefore, phosphate ions play a crucial role in the function of salivary amylase.

a) Mucus

- Incorrect: Mucus in saliva serves primarily as a lubricant and protective barrier for the oral mucosa and facilitates swallowing. It does not directly activate salivary amylase

c) Chloride ions

- Incorrect: Chloride ions are electrolytes present in saliva, but they do not directly activate salivary amylase. Instead, they help maintain the osmotic balance and pH of saliva.

d) Urea

- Incorrect: Urea is a waste product found in urine and is not directly involved in the activation of salivary amylase.


Question 6:

Which of the following membranes covers the stomach?

A. falciform ligament

B. mesocolon

C. parietal peritoneum

D. visceral peritoneum

The Correct Answer is D.

d) visceral peritoneum

- Correct: The visceral peritoneum covers the stomach. The peritoneum is a serous membrane that lines the abdominal cavity and covers most of the abdominal organs. The portion of the peritoneum that directly covers the surface of an organ is called the visceral peritoneum. In the case of the stomach, the visceral peritoneum covers its outer surface, providing a protective and lubricating layer.

a) falciform ligament

- Incorrect: The falciform ligament is a fold of peritoneum that attaches the liver to the anterior abdominal wall and diaphragm. It does not cover the stomach.

b) mesocolon

- Incorrect: The mesocolon is a fold of peritoneum that attaches the colon to the posterior abdominal wall. It does not cover the stomach.

c) parietal peritoneum

- Incorrect: The parietal peritoneum lines the abdominal cavity but does not cover individual organs. It forms the outer layer of the peritoneum and is not directly associated with covering the stomach.


Question 7:

These move food through the digestive system:

A. digestive fluids

B. enzymes

C. mucous membranes

D. smooth muscles

The Correct Answer is D.

d. smooth muscles

- Correct: Smooth muscles are responsible for moving food through the digestive system via a process called peristalsis. Peristalsis involves rhythmic contractions and relaxations of the smooth muscle layers in the walls of the digestive organs, such as the esophagus, stomach, and intestines. These coordinated muscle movements propel food forward along the digestive tract, allowing for mechanical digestion, mixing with digestive fluids, and absorption of nutrients.

a. digestive fluids

- Incorrect: Digestive fluids, such as saliva, gastric juice, bile, and pancreatic enzymes, play crucial roles in the digestion and breakdown of food into smaller molecules. However, they do not directly move food through the digestive system.

b. enzymes

- Incorrect: Enzymes are biological catalysts that facilitate chemical reactions involved in the breakdown of food molecules into smaller, absorbable components. While enzymes aid in digestion, they do not themselves move food through the digestive system.

c. mucous membranes

- Incorrect: Mucous membranes line the inner surfaces of the digestive tract and secrete mucus, which lubricates and protects the epithelial cells from mechanical damage and chemical irritation. While mucous membranes are important for maintaining the health of the digestive tract, they do not actively move food through the digestive system.


Question 8:

The graph below shows the effect of environmental temperature on a girl's skin temperature and on her internal body temperature.


Which statement best describes what happens as environmental temperature increases from 20ºC to 30ºC?

A. Both the internal and the skin temperatures reach 40ºC.

B. Both the internal and the skin temperatures increase by about 7ºC.

C. The skin temperature decreases to about 30ºC.

D. The internal temperature increases by about 1ºC.

The Correct Answer is D.

D) The internal temperature increases by about 1ºC.

- Correct: As environmental temperature increases from 20ºC to 30ºC, the body's internal temperature tends to increase slightly. This is due to the body's thermoregulatory mechanisms, which work to maintain a relatively constant internal temperature (around 37ºC or 98.6ºF) despite fluctuations in environmental temperature. When the environmental temperature rises, the body responds by increasing blood flow to the skin and by initiating mechanisms such as sweating to dissipate heat and maintain thermal equilibrium. However, the increase in environmental temperature may result in a slight increase in internal temperature, typically by about 1ºC, as the body works to dissipate excess heat.

A) Both the internal and the skin temperatures reach 40ºC.

- Incorrect: A 10ºC increase in environmental temperature from 20ºC to 30ºC is not likely to cause both internal and skin temperatures to reach 40ºC. Such a significant increase would likely lead to heatstroke or hyperthermia, which can be life-threatening.

B) Both the internal and the skin temperatures increase by about 7ºC.

- Incorrect: A 10ºC increase in environmental temperature is not likely to cause both internal and skin temperatures to increase by about 7ºC. Such a large increase in temperature would be excessive and would likely lead to severe heat-related illnesses.

C) The skin temperature decreases to about 30ºC.

- Incorrect: In response to an increase in environmental temperature, the body typically increases blood flow to the skin and initiates mechanisms such as sweating to dissipate heat. This would not result in a decrease in skin temperature to match the environmental temperature of 30ºC.


Question 9:

Which is a function of the liver in human adults?

A. manufacturing red blood cells

B. producing chemical compounds known as auxins

C. storing the carbohydrate reserve glycogen

D. synthesizing the hormone insulin

The Correct Answer is C.

C) storing the carbohydrate reserve glycogen

- Correct: One of the functions of the liver in human adults is storing the carbohydrate reserve glycogen. Glycogen is a polysaccharide that serves as a storage form of glucose in the body. When blood glucose levels are high, such as after a meal, the liver takes up excess glucose and converts it into glycogen for storage. When blood glucose levels drop, such as between meals or during fasting, the liver breaks down glycogen and releases glucose into the bloodstream to maintain blood sugar levels within a normal range.

A) manufacturing red blood cells

- Incorrect: The primary site of red blood cell production (erythropoiesis) in adults is the bone marrow, not the liver. While the liver is involved in the production of blood proteins and components, such as albumin, clotting factors, and plasma proteins, it is not responsible for manufacturing red blood cells.

B) producing chemical compounds known as auxins

- Incorrect: Auxins are a class of plant hormones involved in various physiological processes, such as cell elongation, apical dominance, and root development. They are not produced by the liver in human adults.

D) synthesizing the hormone insulin

- Incorrect: Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas, not the liver. Insulin plays a crucial role in regulating blood sugar levels by facilitating the uptake of glucose into cells for energy production or storage. While the liver responds to insulin by regulating glucose metabolism and storage, it does not synthesize insulin itself.


Question 10:

In the stomach:

A. muscles churn and mix the food with acids and enzymes

B. glands make 3 quarts of digestive juices each day

C. food leaves as a thick liquid called chyme

D. all of the above

The Correct Answer is D.

d. all of the above

- Correct: All of the statements are true regarding the stomach:

a. muscles churn and mix the food with acids and enzymes: The stomach has muscular walls that contract and relax to mechanically churn and mix food with gastric juices, including hydrochloric acid and various enzymes (such as pepsin) that aid in the digestion of proteins.

b. glands make 3 quarts of digestive juices each day: The gastric glands in the lining of the stomach produce gastric juice, which contains hydrochloric acid, enzymes (such as pepsinogen), mucus, and intrinsic factor. These glands collectively secrete about 2 to 3 liters (quarts) of gastric juice per day.

c. food leaves as a thick liquid called chyme: After mixing with gastric juices and undergoing partial digestion in the stomach, food is transformed into a semi-liquid mixture called chyme. Chyme is then gradually released from the stomach into the small intestine for further digestion and absorption.

Therefore, all of the statements accurately describe processes that occur in the stomach.