Deck 3: Digestion, Absorption, and Transport

Question 1

One function of sphincter muscles is to ____.

A)control peristalsis
B)grind large food particles
C)secrete digestive juices into the GI tract
D)control the passage of food through the GI tract
E)trigger hormone release

Answer 1

D

Question 2

Which action is characteristic of the appendix?

A)It ferments fiber.
B)It stores lymph cells.
C)It slows down peristalsis.
D)It stores preformed stools.
E)It assists in the formation of T-cells.

Answer 2

B

Question 3

What is a function of hydrochloric acid in the stomach?

A)It absorbs water.
B)It inhibits peristalsis.
C)It neutralizes the food mass.
D)It creates an optimum acidity.
E)It prevents relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter.

Answer 3

D

Question 4

Taste buds ____.

A)react only with particles in solution
B)are located throughout the oral cavity
C)produce amylase but not pepsin or lipase
D)can individually sense only one of the basic taste sensations at a time
E)are located only on the tip of the tongue

Question 5

What is the function of mucus in the stomach?

A)It emulsifies fats.
B)It neutralizes stomach acid.
C)It activates pepsinogen to pepsin.
D)It protects stomach cells from gastric juices.
E)It absorbs essential nutrients.

Question 6

What is a bolus?

A)An enzyme that hydrolyzes starch
B)A portion of food swallowed at one time
C)A device used to analyze the contents of the stomach
D)A sphincter muscle separating the stomach from the small intestine
E)A food item that has passed through the small intestine into the colon

Question 7

What is the name given to partially digested food in the stomach?

A)Chyme
B)Liquid food
C)Gastric mucus
D)Semiliquid mass
E)Bolus

Question 8

The process by which food is broken down into absorbable components is called ____.

A)digestion
B)absorption
C)excretion
D)mastication
E)adsorption

Question 9

Which of the following is a feature of peristalsis?

A)It occurs when longitudinal muscles oppose the action of transverse muscles.
B)Its rate is consistent throughout the GI tract.
C)It occurs at powerful levels in the small intestine but not at all in the colon.
D)It is caused by alternate tightening and relaxing of circular and longitudinal muscles.
E)It may occur unpredictably but is typically in response to a full stomach.

Question 10

The primary function of the rectum is to ____.

A)control functioning of the colon
B)absorb minerals from waste materials
C)store waste materials prior to evacuation
D)absorb excess water from waste materials
E)store digestive hormones until they are needed

Question 11

What best describes the normal pH of the stomach?

A)Very acidic
B)Slightly acidic
C)Neutral
D)Slightly alkaline
E)Very alkaline

Question 12

Where is the epiglottis located?

A)Throat
B)Bile duct
C)Pancreatic duct
D)Lower esophagus
E)At the outlet of the stomach

Question 13

What structure controls the release of material from the stomach to the small intestine?

A)Ileocecal valve
B)Pyloric sphincter
C)Diaphragmatic valve
D)Esophageal sphincter
E)Hepatic portal valve

Question 14

What part of the GI tract prevents a person from choking while swallowing?

A)Mouth
B)Epiglottis
C)Pyloric sphincter
D)Upper esophageal sphincter
E)Chyme

Question 15

Chyme can best be described as ____.

A)the semisolid mass of undigested food that passes through the ileocecal valve.
B)a semiliquid mass of partially digested food released by the stomach into the small intestine.
C)the mixture of pancreatic juices containing enzymes for digestion of the macronutrients.
D)a thick, viscous material synthesized by mucosal cells for protection against digestive juices.
E)chewed food combined with saliva that has passed from the esophagus into the stomach.

Question 16

What structure functions to prevent entrance of food into the trachea?

A)Tongue
B)Epiglottis
C)Cardiac sphincter
D)Trachea sphincter
E)Upper esophageal sphincter

Question 17

What structure separates the colon from the small intestine?

A)Pylorus
B)Ileocecal valve
C)Gastric retainer
D)Rectal sphincter
E)Lower sphincter

Question 18

One function of the pyloric sphincter is to ____.

A)secretes acid into the stomach
B)secretes hormones into the stomach
C)prevents the contents of the small intestine from backing up into the stomach
D)prevents the contents of the small intestine from emptying too quickly into the colon
E)initiates peristalsis

Question 19

What structure prevents reflux of stomach contents?

A)Pepsinogen
B)Gastric mucosa
C)Upper esophageal sphincter
D)Lower esophageal sphincter
E)Duodenum

Question 20

What is umami?

A)The flavor of monosodium glutamate
B)The opening between the duodenum and jejunum
C)The intestinal enzyme that hydrolyzes fish proteins
D)An intestinal enzyme that hydrolyzes dietary nucleic acids
E)A flavor that combines sweet and sour

Question 21

Which class of nutrients requires the least amount of digestion?

A)Lipids
B)Proteins
C)Vitamins
D)Simple carbohydrates
E)Complex carbohydrates

Question 22

One important function of mucus is to ____.

A)help solubilize bile
B)stabilize pancreatic enzymes
C)enhance absorption of vitamin B₁₂
D)protect the stomach walls from digestion
E)facilitate peristalsis

Question 23

What is the primary site for absorption of nutrients?

A)Crypt
B)Villus
C)Microvillus
D)Macrovillus
E)Goblet cells

Question 24

What is an important function of the intestinal villi crypts?

A)Synthesis of chylomicrons
B)Secretion of juices into the small intestine
C)Synthesis of fragments of fat for use by the colon
D)Transport of fat-soluble nutrients into the circulation
E)Storage of bile

Question 25

What substance protects the stomach lining from damage due to digestive juices?

A)Water
B)Mucus
C)Pepsinogen
D)Dietary fats
E)Gastrin

Question 26

What vessel carries blood from the liver to the heart?

A)Aorta
B)Hepatic vein
C)Thoracic duct
D)Hepatic portal vein
E)Hepatic artery

Question 27

What is the most metabolically active organ?

A)Liver
B)Spleen
C)Stomach
D)Pancreas
E)Brain

Question 28

What is the name of the projections on the inner surface of the small intestine?

A)Villi
B)Cilia
C)Mesenteric vessels
D)Vascular projectiles
E)Mitochondria

Question 29

What is a function of the intestinal microvilli?

A)Secretion of bile salts
B)Secretion of digestive acid
C)Transport of nutrient molecules
D)Transport of pancreatic enzymes
E)Stimulation of peristalsis

Question 30

The purpose of bicarbonate in the digestive process is to ____.

A)raise the pH of chime
B)lower the pH of chime
C)hydrolyze large peptides
D)increase peristalsis
E)reduce risk of vomiting

Question 31

When nutrients are transported from intestinal epithelial cells to the vascular system, what organ is first to receive them?

A)Liver
B)Heart
C)Lungs
D)Kidneys
E)Gallbladder

Question 32

Exchange of oxygen, nutrients, and waste materials takes place across the walls of small vessels called ____.

A)ducts
B)venules
C)arterioles
D)capillaries
E)lymphatics

Question 33

After the pancreatic juices have mixed with chyme in the small intestine, which of the following describes the pH of the resulting mixture?

A)Very acidic
B)Moderately acidic
C)Approximately neutral
D)Moderately alkaline
E)Very alkaline

Question 34

To assist the process of digestion and absorption, it is usually best to ____.

A)eat several snacks per day so the system is not overwhelmed
B)combine different food types to enhance the absorption process
C)avoid eating meat and fruit at the same meal to prevent competition
D)take enzyme pills or powder periodically so the system can rest and rejuvenate
E)eat only one type of food at each meal in order to avoid overstimulation of acid

Question 35

Which vehicle conducts lymph into the vascular system?

A)Villi
B)Mesentery
C)Subclavian vein
D)Common bile duct
E)Thoracic duct

Question 36

What is the function of bile?

A)It emulsifies fats.
B)It initiates digestion of protein.
C)It enhances absorption of complex carbohydrates.
D)It protects the stomach and small intestine from the action of hydrochloric acid.
E)It stimulates the absorption of vitamins and minerals.

Question 37

One function of the gallbladder is to ____.

A)store bile
B)produce bile
C)reabsorb water and salts
D)perform enzymatic digestion
E)Removes toxins from the blood

Question 38

The process by which bile acts on fat so that enzymes can attack the fat is known as ____.

A)condensation
B)emulsification
C)enzymification
D)phosphorylation
E)inhibition

Question 39

The hepatic portal vein empties into the ____.

A)liver
B)heart
C)pancreas
D)hepatic vein
E)spleen

Question 40

Which part of the GI tract contains highly acidic digestive juices?

A)Colon
B)Ileum
C)Stomach
D)Duodenum
E)Rectum

Question 41

Which action is associated with the presence of fat in the GI tract?

A)Inhibition of mucosal enzyme activities
B)Slowing of the process of digestion and absorption
C)Inhibition of thiamin, riboflavin, and niacin absorption
D)Stimulation and hastening of digestion and absorption
E)Markedly decreased transit time

Question 42

The presence of fat in the intestines stimulates cells of the intestinal wall to release ____.

A)lipase
B)gastrin
C)secretin
D)cholecystokinin
E)glucagon

Question 43

The gastrointestinal microbiome is comprised primarily of ____.

A)villi
B)bacteria
C)mucosa
D)probiotics
E)viruses

Question 44

What is the first major organ to receive nutrients that are absorbed into the lymph?

A)Liver
B)Heart
C)Spleen
D)Pancreas
E)Gallbladder

Question 45

What is the general composition of lymph?

A)A light-red fluid that stores fat-soluble vitamins
B)A transparent yellowish fluid that contains no red blood cells or platelets
C)A white fluid that contains probiotics and appears at the site of infections
D)A greenish fluid that contains abundant platelets and water-soluble vitamins
E)A viscous, red fluid that contains vitamins and minerals

Question 46

What is the primary role of the normal, thriving intestinal bacterial population?

A)It helps degrade meat and dairy proteins.
B)It helps prevent infectious bacteria from attacking the system.
C)It synthesizes vitamin D, which can be absorbed into the body.
D)It synthesizes several amino acids, which can be absorbed into the body.
E)It aids in the absorption of essential nutrients.

Question 47

What is intestinal ischemia?

A)Reduced blood flow to the intestines
B)Chronic episodes of reverse peristalsis
C)Construction of intestinal lymph supply
D)Inflammation of two or more sphincter muscles
E)Severe and repeated episodes of intestinal blockage

Question 48

Which substance functions to control the release of hydrochloric acid to prevent excessive acidity?

A)Insulin
B)Gastrin
C)Secretin
D)Cholecystokinin
E)Glucagon

Question 49

Which of the following results from reverse peristalsis?

A)Gas
B)Choking
C)Vomiting
D)Diarrhea
E)Constipation

Question 50

What two systems coordinate all digestive/absorptive processes?

A)Enzyme and thoracic
B)Portal and lymphatic
C)Nervous and endocrine
D)Transport and circulatory
E)Circulatory and nervous

Question 51

Microorganisms in food that are viable when consumed and that are beneficial to health are known as ____.

A)probiotics
B)prebiotics
C)postbiotics
D)symbiotics
E)abiotics

Question 52

When consumed on a regular basis, which food promotes healthful changes in the microflora of the GI tract?

A)Fish
B)Yogurt
C)Poultry
D)Iron-rich foods
E)Natural sugars

Question 53

Which substance regulates the pH of the stomach?

A)Gastrin
B)Insulin
C)Secretin
D)Cholecystokinin
E)Glucagon

Question 54

What substance controls the release of bile into the small intestine?

A)Gastrin
B)Secretin
C)Prozymogen
D)Cholecystokinin
E)Insulin

Question 55

Certain types of fibers and complex proteins that are degraded by GI bacteria are called ____.

A)prebiotics
B)probiotics
C)postbiotics
D)symbiotics
E)abiotics

Question 56

Which substance stimulates the pancreas to release bicarbonate-rich juice?

A)Gastrin
B)Secretin
C)Glucagon
D)Gastric-inhibitory peptide
E)CCK

Question 57

What is the normal pH of the stomach?

A)0.25-0.75
B)1.5-1.7
C)2.0-2.5
D)7.5-8.0
E)8.5-9.0

Question 58

Which characteristic describes pancreatic digestive enzyme function?

A)The major hormone controlling the release of pancreatic enzymes is gastrin
B)The release of pancreatic enzymes is controlled primarily by a pancreatic sphincter
C)The pancreas can increase the activity of fat-degrading enzymes in response to more fat in the diet
D)In general, the amounts of digestive enzymes secreted by the pancreas remain constant over a wide range of nutrient intakes
E)Pancreatic enzymes can digest protein and fat but not carbohydrate

Question 59

A person with chronic diarrhea is at risk for which of the following?

A)Dehydration
B)Paradoxical constipation
C)Peptic ulcers
D)Heimlich's disease
E)GERD

Question 60

Which substance is known to be produced by small intestinal bacteria?

A)Mucus
B)Chyme
C)Glucose
D)Vitamins
E)Protein

Question 61

____________________ is the potentially harmful internal washing of the large intestine with a powerful machine.

Question 62

The primary treatment for ulcer caused by the presence of H. pylori is ____.

A)fiber
B)surgery
C)antacids
D)antibiotics
E)dietary changes

Question 63

A diagnosis of constipation is made when a person's number of bowel movements per week first drops to under ____.

A)one
B)two
C)three
D)five
E)seven

Question 64

When ingested in large quantities, the sugar alternative sorbitol and the fat alternative olestra are known to induce ____.

A)diarrhea
B)vomiting
C)pancreatitis
D)celiac disease
E)insulin intolerance

Question 65

Inflammation of the large intestine is known as ____.

A)colitis
B)indigestion
C)hemorrhoiditis
D)acid dysregulation
E)diverticulitis

Question 66

____________________ is an autoimmune disease characterized by inflammation of the small intestine that occurs in response to foods that contain gluten, a protein commonly found in wheat, barley, rye, and possibly oats.

Question 67

People who have frequent, regular bouts of heartburn and indigestion have a medical condition known as ____.

A)colitis
B)watery stools
C)lymphatic malabsorption
D)gastroesophageal reflux
E)celiac disease

Question 68

What is the primary cause for belching?

A)Swallowing air
B)Viral infections
C)Eating spicy foods
D)Drinking alcoholic beverages
E)Reflux

Question 69

The hormone that responds to food in the stomach and is secreted by the stomach walls is ____________________.

Question 70

One of the major causes of ulcers is infection with ____________________.

Question 71

A person on a low-fiber diet is at increased risk for experiencing elevated rectal vein pressure leading to formation of ____.

A)reflux
B)hiccups
C)hemorrhoids
D)peptic ulcers
E)vomiting

Question 72

The medical term for the disorder that occurs when the lower esophageal sphincter allows the stomach contents to reflux into the esophagus is ____________________.

Question 73

____________________ responds to acidic chyme in the small intestine and stimulates the pancreas.

Question 74

____________________ responds to fat or protein in the small intestine and stimulates both the pancreas and gallbladder.

Question 75

____________________ circulates between the cells of the body and collects into tiny vessels.

Question 76

Which statement describes a feature of irritable bowel syndrome?

A)Abdominal discomfort is usually mild.
B)Effective treatment includes peppermint oil.
C)Constipation rather than diarrhea is the major adverse effect.
D)A combination of stress plus certain foods is needed to trigger an attack.
E)It is an autoimmune disease.

Question 77

Untreated gastroesophageal reflux increases the risk for the more serious condition known as ____.

A)Graves' disease.
B)Sinclair's gastrum.
C)Barrett's esophagus.
D)Zollinger-Ellison cancer.
E)Huntington's chorea.

Question 78

Blood leaving the digestive system goes by way of the ____________________ to the liver.

Question 79

____________________ refers to the maintenance of constant internal conditions (such as blood chemistry, temperature, and blood pressure) by the body's control systems.

Question 80

Which nutrient is most associated with increased production of intestinal gas?

A)Iron
B)Fats
C)Proteins
D)Carbohydrates
E)Fat-soluble vitamins