Which of these ingredients in saliva is responsible for activating salivary amylase?
A. mucus
B. phosphate ions
C. chloride ions
D. urea
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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.
Therefore, the Correct Answer is B.
More Questions on Digestive System Practice Exam 2
Question 1:
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 2:
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 3:
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 4:
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 5:
Which of the following stimuli activates sensors in the walls of digestive organs?
A. breakdown products of digestion
B. distension
C. pH of chyme
D. all of the above
The Correct Answer is D.d) all of the above
- Correct: All of the listed stimuli activate sensors in the walls of digestive organs:
a) Breakdown products of digestion: The presence of breakdown products, such as nutrients and smaller molecules resulting from digestion, can activate sensors in the walls of digestive organs. These sensors help regulate various digestive processes and signal the release of digestive enzymes and hormones.
b) Distension: Distension, or stretching of the walls of the digestive organs, is a stimulus that activates sensors. It occurs as the volume of the digestive tract increases due to the presence of ingested food, and it triggers reflexes that coordinate muscular contractions for propulsion and mixing.
c) pH of chyme: The pH of the chyme (the semi-liquid mixture of food and digestive juices in the stomach and small intestine) is another stimulus that activates sensors. Changes in pH can signal the need for adjustments in the secretion of digestive enzymes and the regulation of gastric and intestinal functions.
Therefore, all of the mentioned stimuli play a role in activating sensors and regulating digestive processes in response to the specific conditions within the digestive organs.
Question 6:
Which phase of deglutition involves contraction of the longitudinal muscle layer of the muscularis?
A. voluntary phase
B. buccal phase
C. pharyngeal phase
D. esophageal phase
The Correct Answer is A.a) voluntary phase
- Correct: The voluntary phase of deglutition (swallowing) involves the initial voluntary movement of food from the mouth into the pharynx. During this phase, the tongue pushes the food bolus backward toward the oropharynx. Contraction of the longitudinal muscle layer of the muscularis propels the food bolus into the pharynx, which is part of the voluntary control of swallowing.
b) buccal phase
- Incorrect: The buccal phase of deglutition involves the initial formation of the food bolus and its movement toward the oropharynx by the coordinated action of the tongue and muscles of the cheeks. It does not involve contraction of the longitudinal muscle layer of the muscularis.
c) pharyngeal phase
- Incorrect: The pharyngeal phase of deglutition is involuntary and occurs when the food bolus reaches the pharynx. It involves the sequential contraction of muscles in the pharyngeal wall to propel the food bolus downward toward the esophagus. The contraction of the longitudinal muscle layer of the muscularis is not a significant component of the pharyngeal phase.
d) esophageal phase
- Incorrect: The esophageal phase of deglutition involves the passage of the food bolus through the esophagus and into the stomach. Peristaltic waves of contraction and relaxation of the muscularis propels the food bolus along the length of the esophagus. The contraction of the longitudinal muscle layer of the muscularis primarily occurs during the voluntary phase of deglutition, not the esophageal phase.
Question 7:
Which part of the large intestine attaches to the appendix?
A. cecum
B. ascending colon
C. transverse colon
D. descending colon
The Correct Answer is A.Cecum attaches to the appendix
Question 8:
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 9:
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
The Correct Answer is A.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.
Question 10:
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.