The small intestine possesses permanent folds along its length known as

A. plicae circulares

B. haustra

C. villi

D. intestinal crypts

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Answer Explanation:

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.

Therefore, the Correct Answer is A.

More Questions on Digestive System Practice Exam 2

Question 1:

Chemical digestion of carbohydrates begins in the

A. esophagus

B. stomach

C. duodenum

D. oral cavity

The Correct Answer is D.

D. oral cavity

- Correct: Chemical digestion of carbohydrates begins in the oral cavity. Salivary glands in the mouth secrete saliva, which contains an enzyme called amylase. Amylase breaks down complex carbohydrates (such as starch) into simpler sugars (such as maltose) through hydrolysis. This process initiates the digestion of carbohydrates before the food bolus reaches the stomach or small intestine.

A. esophagus

- Incorrect: The esophagus is primarily involved in the propulsion of food from the mouth to the stomach through peristaltic contractions. It does not play a significant role in the chemical digestion of carbohydrates.

B. stomach

- Incorrect: While the stomach plays a role in the digestion of proteins through the action of gastric juices containing pepsin and hydrochloric acid, it does not contribute significantly to the digestion of carbohydrates. In fact, the acidic environment of the stomach may temporarily inhibit the activity of salivary amylase.

C. duodenum

- Incorrect: The duodenum is the first part of the small intestine where the majority of chemical digestion occurs. While the duodenum receives pancreatic enzymes and bile that aid in the digestion of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats, the initial chemical digestion of carbohydrates primarily occurs in the oral cavity with the action of salivary amylase.


Question 2:

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 3:

A disorder of the digestive system that can cause severe dehydration is known as

A. appendicitis

B. gallstones

C. constipation

D. diarrhea

The Correct Answer is D.

D) diarrhea

- Correct: Diarrhea is a disorder of the digestive system that can cause severe dehydration. Diarrhea is characterized by frequent, loose, or watery bowel movements, often accompanied by abdominal cramps, bloating, and urgency. It occurs when the intestines fail to properly absorb water or when excess fluid is secreted into the intestines. Diarrhea can lead to significant fluid loss and electrolyte imbalance, resulting in dehydration, particularly if not promptly treated by replenishing lost fluids and electrolytes.

A) appendicitis

- Incorrect: Appendicitis is inflammation of the appendix, a small pouch located near the junction of the small and large intestines. While appendicitis can cause symptoms such as abdominal pain, fever, and vomiting, it is not directly associated with dehydration.

B) gallstones

- Incorrect: Gallstones are hardened deposits that form in the gallbladder and can cause symptoms such as abdominal pain, nausea, and jaundice. While gallstones can lead to complications such as obstruction of the bile duct, they are not directly associated with dehydration.

C) constipation

- Incorrect: Constipation refers to infrequent bowel movements or difficulty passing stool, often characterized by hard, dry stools that are difficult to pass. While severe constipation can cause discomfort and complications such as fecal impaction, it is not directly associated with dehydration.


Question 4:

Which of these statements about the pharynx is true?

A. It extends from the nasal and oral cavities superiorly to the esophagus anteriorly.

B. The oropharynx is continuous superiorly with the nasopharynx.

C. The nasopharynx is involved in digestion.

D. The laryngopharynx is composed partially of cartilage.

The Correct Answer is D.

d) The laryngopharynx is composed partially of cartilage.

- True: The statement that the laryngopharynx is composed partially of cartilage is true. The pharynx, commonly known as the throat, is a muscular tube that extends from the base of the skull to the level of the sixth cervical vertebra. It serves as a passageway for both air and food. The pharynx is divided into three regions: the nasopharynx, oropharynx, and laryngopharynx.

a) It extends from the nasal and oral cavities superiorly to the esophagus anteriorly.

- False: The pharynx extends from the nasal and oral cavities superiorly to the esophagus and larynx inferiorly, not anteriorly.

b) The oropharynx is continuous superiorly with the nasopharynx.

- False: The oropharynx is continuous inferiorly with the oral cavity, not superiorly with the nasopharynx. The nasopharynx is continuous superiorly with the nasal cavity.

c) The nasopharynx is involved in digestion.

- False: The nasopharynx is primarily involved in respiration and the passage of air. It contains the openings of the auditory tubes and tonsils but is not directly involved in digestion.


Question 5:

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 6:

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.


Question 7:

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.


Question 8:

Where are most fat-digesting enzymes produced?

A. small intestine

B. gallbladder

C. liver

D. pancreas

The Correct Answer is D.

d) pancreas

- Correct: Most fat-digesting enzymes, such as pancreatic lipase, are produced in the pancreas. Pancreatic lipase is secreted by the pancreas into the small intestine, specifically the duodenum, where it plays a crucial role in the digestion of dietary fats. Additionally, other enzymes involved in fat digestion, such as pancreatic colipase and phospholipase, are also produced by the pancreas.

a) small intestine

- Incorrect: While some fat-digesting enzymes are present in the small intestine, the majority of these enzymes are produced by the pancreas and delivered to the small intestine via the pancreatic duct.

b) gallbladder

- Incorrect: The gallbladder stores and concentrates bile produced by the liver, but it does not produce fat-digesting enzymes. Bile stored in the gallbladder contains bile salts, which aid in the emulsification and digestion of fats, but they are not enzymes themselves.

c) liver

- Incorrect: The liver produces bile, which contains bile salts that aid in fat digestion by emulsifying large fat globules into smaller droplets, but it does not produce fat-digesting enzymes. The liver also plays a role in lipid metabolism and the synthesis of lipoproteins but does not produce enzymes directly involved in fat digestion.


Question 9:

. Parietal cells secrete ________.

A. gastrin

B. hydrochloric acid

C. pepsin

D. pepsinogen

The Correct Answer is B.

b) hydrochloric acid

- Correct: Parietal cells, also known as oxyntic cells, secrete hydrochloric acid (HCl) into the stomach lumen. HCl plays a critical role in the digestive process by creating an acidic environment necessary for the activation of pepsinogen to pepsin and for the breakdown of food proteins. Parietal cells also secrete intrinsic factor, which is essential for the absorption of vitamin B12 in the small intestine.

a) gastrin

- Incorrect: Gastrin is a hormone secreted by G cells in the gastric glands of the stomach. It stimulates the secretion of gastric acid (HCl) by parietal cells and promotes gastric motility and emptying.

c) pepsin

- Incorrect: Pepsin is an enzyme that digests proteins by breaking them down into smaller peptides. Pepsin is formed from the precursor molecule pepsinogen, which is secreted by chief cells in the gastric glands. Parietal cells do not directly secrete pepsin.

d) pepsinogen

- Incorrect: Pepsinogen is the inactive precursor of pepsin. It is secreted by chief cells in the gastric glands of the stomach. Pepsinogen is activated to pepsin by the acidic environment created by hydrochloric acid secreted by parietal cells.


Question 10:

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.