Which foods should be included in a balanced diet as a good source of roughage?
A. red meat and poultry
B. fresh fruits and vegetables
C. eggs and milk products
D. animal fat and plant oil
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B) fresh fruits and vegetables
- Correct: Fresh fruits and vegetables are excellent sources of roughage, also known as dietary fiber. These foods provide insoluble fiber, soluble fiber, or a combination of both, which adds bulk to the stool and promotes healthy digestion. Insoluble fiber, found in foods like leafy greens, celery, and broccoli, helps to move food through the digestive tract, preventing constipation. Soluble fiber, found in foods like apples, oats, and beans, can help lower cholesterol levels and regulate blood sugar levels.
A) red meat and poultry
- Incorrect: While red meat and poultry are good sources of protein and other nutrients, they are not significant sources of dietary fiber or roughage. These foods do not contribute to the fiber content of the diet.
C) eggs and milk products
- Incorrect: Eggs and milk products are valuable sources of protein, vitamins, and minerals, but they are not significant sources of dietary fiber or roughage. These foods do not provide the fiber needed for healthy digestion.
D) animal fat and plant oil
- Incorrect: Animal fat and plant oils are sources of dietary fat, which is important for providing energy and essential fatty acids in the diet. However, they do not contain significant amounts of dietary fiber or roughage. These foods do not contribute to the fiber content of the diet.
Therefore, the Correct Answer is B.
More Questions on Digestive System Practice Exam 1
Question 1:
Some vitamins are essential to an organism because they function as
A. coenzymes
B. auxins
C. hormones
D. neurotransmitters
The Correct Answer is A.A) coenzymes
- Correct: Some vitamins function as coenzymes, which are molecules that assist enzymes in their catalytic activity. Coenzymes work together with enzymes to facilitate various biochemical reactions in the body. For example, certain B vitamins (such as thiamine, riboflavin, and niacin) act as coenzymes in energy metabolism, while vitamin K acts as a coenzyme in blood clotting. Without these essential vitamins, many metabolic processes in the body would be impaired, leading to various health problems.
B) auxins
- Incorrect: Auxins are plant hormones that regulate plant growth and development. They are not vitamins and do not function as coenzymes in biochemical reactions in organisms.
C) hormones
- Incorrect: Hormones are signaling molecules that regulate various physiological processes in organisms. While some vitamins may indirectly influence hormone production or function, they do not function primarily as hormones themselves.
D) neurotransmitters
- Incorrect: Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers that transmit signals between nerve cells (neurons) in the nervous system. They are not vitamins and do not function as coenzymes in biochemical reactions in organisms.
Question 2:
Which structure produces a substance that aids in the mechanical breakdown of fats?
A. liver
B. thyroid gland
C. testes
D. pituitary gland
The Correct Answer is A.A) liver
- Correct: The liver produces bile, a substance that aids in the mechanical breakdown of fats. Bile is stored in the gallbladder and released into the small intestine when needed. Bile emulsifies large fat globules into smaller droplets, which increases the surface area for the action of digestive enzymes. This process facilitates the breakdown of fats into smaller molecules for digestion and absorption.
B) thyroid gland
- Incorrect: The thyroid gland produces hormones that regulate metabolism but is not directly involved in the mechanical breakdown of fats.
C) testes
- Incorrect: The testes are reproductive organs responsible for the production of sperm in males and do not play a role in the mechanical breakdown of fats.
D) pituitary gland
- Incorrect: The pituitary gland is a master gland that produces and regulates various hormones but is not involved in the mechanical breakdown of fats.
Question 3:
After food enters the small intestine, lipases, proteases, and amylases are secreted into the small intestine by the
A. liver
B. gallbladder
C. salivary glands
D. pancreas
The Correct Answer is D.D) pancreas
- Correct: After food enters the small intestine, lipases (for fat digestion), proteases (for protein digestion), and amylases (for carbohydrate digestion) are secreted into the small intestine by the pancreas. These digestive enzymes are produced by the pancreas and released into the duodenum, which is the first part of the small intestine. The pancreas plays a crucial role in providing these enzymes to aid in the breakdown of macronutrients (fats, proteins, and carbohydrates) into smaller molecules that can be absorbed by the intestinal lining.
A) liver
- Incorrect: The liver produces bile, which is stored in the gallbladder and released into the small intestine to aid in the emulsification of fats. While bile is important for fat digestion, it does not contain lipases, proteases, or amylases.
B) gallbladder
- Incorrect: The gallbladder stores and concentrates bile produced by the liver, but it does not secrete lipases, proteases, or amylases. Bile aids in the emulsification of fats but does not contain digestive enzymes.
C) salivary glands
- Incorrect: Salivary glands secrete saliva into the mouth, which contains amylase, an enzyme that begins the digestion of carbohydrates. However, after food enters the small intestine, digestive enzymes are primarily secreted by the pancreas, not the salivary glands.
Question 4:
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 5:
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 6:
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
The Correct Answer is D.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.
Question 7:
Which process is represented by the diagram below?
A. emulsification
B. excretion
C. absorption
D. peristalsis
The Correct Answer is A.Emulsification is a process by which large fat globules are broken down into smaller droplets. This process is facilitated by substances called emulsifiers, with bile being one of the most common emulsifiers in the human body.
Question 8:
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.
Question 9:
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 10:
Salmonella bacteria can cause humans to have stomach cramps, vomiting, diarrhea, and fever. The effect these bacteria have on humans indicates that Salmonella bacteria are
A. predators
B. pathogenic organisms
C. parasitic fungi
D. decomposers
The Correct Answer is B.B) pathogenic organisms
- Correct: Salmonella bacteria are pathogenic organisms, meaning they can cause disease in humans and other animals. When ingested, Salmonella bacteria can lead to symptoms such as stomach cramps, vomiting, diarrhea, and fever. Salmonella infection, known as salmonellosis, is a common cause of foodborne illness, often associated with the consumption of contaminated food, particularly undercooked poultry, eggs, and unpasteurized dairy products.
A) predators
- Incorrect: Predators are organisms that hunt, kill, and consume other organisms for food. Salmonella bacteria are not predators; they do not actively hunt and consume other organisms.
C) parasitic fungi
- Incorrect: Salmonella bacteria are not parasitic fungi. Parasitic fungi are fungi that derive nutrients from living organisms, often causing harm or disease. Salmonella bacteria are a distinct type of pathogenic bacteria, not fungi.
D) decomposers
- Incorrect: Decomposers are organisms that break down and feed on dead organic matter, aiding in the process of decomposition. Salmonella bacteria are not decomposers; they are pathogenic bacteria that can cause illness in humans and animals.