Which structure produces a substance that aids in the mechanical breakdown of fats?

A. liver

B. thyroid gland

C. testes

D. pituitary gland

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Answer Explanation:

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.

Therefore, the Correct Answer is A.

More Questions on Digestive System Practice Exam 1

Question 1:

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 2:

Which components of the human diet contain the greatest amounts of sugars and starches?

A. meat and eggs

B. fruits and vegetables

C. minerals and milk

D. water and vitamins

The Correct Answer is B.

B) fruits and vegetables

- Correct: Fruits and vegetables contain the greatest amounts of sugars and starches in the human diet. Both fruits and vegetables are rich sources of carbohydrates, including natural sugars, fiber, and starches. These carbohydrates provide a readily available source of energy for the body. Examples of fruits with natural sugars include apples, bananas, and grapes, while starch-containing vegetables include potatoes, corn, and peas.

A) meat and eggs

- Incorrect: Meat and eggs are primarily sources of proteins and fats, not sugars and starches. They contain minimal amounts of carbohydrates.

C) minerals and milk

- Incorrect: Minerals are inorganic compounds essential for various physiological functions, and milk is a source of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates (mainly lactose, a sugar). While milk contains some sugars, fruits and vegetables typically contribute more significant amounts of sugars and starches to the diet.

D) water and vitamins

- Incorrect: Water and vitamins are essential components of the diet, but they do not contain sugars and starches. Water is a vital component for hydration, and vitamins are organic compounds required for various biochemical processes in the body.


Question 3:

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 4:

Bile is a secretion which aids in the digestion of

A. lipids

B. proteins

C. saccharides

D. starches

The Correct Answer is A.

A) lipids

- Correct: Bile is a secretion produced by the liver and stored in the gallbladder. It aids in the digestion of lipids (fats) by emulsifying large fat globules into smaller droplets. This process increases the surface area of fats, allowing digestive enzymes such as lipase to more efficiently break them down into smaller molecules (fatty acids and glycerol) that can be absorbed in the small intestine.

B) proteins

- Incorrect: Bile does not aid in the digestion of proteins. Proteins are broken down by specific digestive enzymes such as pepsin in the stomach and proteases in the small intestine.

C) saccharides

- Incorrect: Bile does not aid in the digestion of saccharides, which are carbohydrates. Carbohydrates are broken down by enzymes such as amylase into simple sugars (monosaccharides) during the process of digestion.

D) starches

- Incorrect: Bile does not aid in the digestion of starches. Starches are complex carbohydrates


Question 5:

Three days after an organism eats some meat, many of the organic molecules originally contained in the meat would be found in newly formed molecules of

A. glucose

B. protein

C. starch

D. oxygen

The Correct Answer is B.

B) protein

- Correct: After an organism consumes meat, the organic molecules present in the meat, such as amino acids and lipids, are broken down through the process of digestion. These molecules are then absorbed into the bloodstream and transported to various cells throughout the body. In the cells, these molecules are used as building blocks for synthesizing new proteins. Proteins are essential macromolecules involved in numerous cellular functions, including structural support, enzymatic activity, and regulation of cellular processes. Therefore, many of the organic molecules originally contained in the meat would be found in newly formed molecules of protein within the organism's cells.

A) glucose

- Incorrect: Glucose is a simple sugar that is primarily derived from the digestion of carbohydrates. While some amino acids obtained from the digestion of protein can be converted into glucose through gluconeogenesis, the majority of amino acids are used for protein synthesis, not glucose production.

C) starch

- Incorrect: Starch is a complex carbohydrate found in plants. It is not typically present in meat, and it is not directly synthesized from the organic molecules obtained from meat consumption.

D) oxygen

- Incorrect: Oxygen is a gas essential for cellular respiration but is not synthesized from the organic molecules obtained from meat consumption. Oxygen is mainly obtained through breathing and is used in cellular respiration to generate ATP, the energy currency of the cell.


Question 6:

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 7:

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 8:

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 9:

The pancreas is an organ connected to the digestive tract of humans by a duct (tube) through

A. which digestive enzymes flow. These enzymes are important to the digestive system because

B. they

C. form proteins needed in the stomach

D. form the acids that break down food

The Correct Answer is C.

The enzymes secreted by the pancreas play a crucial role in the digestion process by breaking down various nutrients, such as carbohydrates, proteins, and fats, into smaller molecules.

These smaller molecules are then absorbed through the walls of the small intestine into the bloodstream and subsequently transported to cells throughout the body for energy production, growth, and repair.

Therefore, these enzymes are essential for converting complex food substances into molecules that can be utilized by the body's cells for various metabolic processes.


Question 10:

Which nutrients can be absorbed without first being digested in the human gastrointestinal tract?

A. carbohydrates and polypeptides

B. proteins and vitamins

C. minerals and polysaccharides

D. vitamins and minerals

The Correct Answer is D.

D) vitamins and minerals

- Correct: Vitamins and minerals are nutrients that can be absorbed without first being digested in the human gastrointestinal tract. Unlike carbohydrates, proteins, and fats, which require enzymatic digestion to break them down into smaller molecules for absorption, vitamins and minerals are already in a form that can be readily absorbed by the body. Once absorbed, vitamins and minerals play essential roles in various physiological processes, such as metabolism, immune function, and bone health.

A) carbohydrates and polypeptides

- Incorrect: Carbohydrates and polypeptides (large protein molecules) require enzymatic digestion to break them down into simpler molecules (such as glucose from carbohydrates and amino acids from polypeptides) before they can be absorbed by the gastrointestinal tract.

B) proteins and vitamins

- Incorrect: Proteins require enzymatic digestion to break them down into amino acids before they can be absorbed by the gastrointestinal tract. While vitamins do not require digestion and can be directly absorbed, proteins do not fall into this category.

C) minerals and polysaccharides

- Incorrect: Minerals, such as calcium, iron, and zinc, can be directly absorbed without prior digestion in the gastrointestinal tract. However, polysaccharides (complex carbohydrates) require enzymatic digestion into simpler sugars before they can be absorbed.