digestion

Question 1

What is a hormone released by a gland that stimulates a digestive gland to begin secretion?

Answer 1

Gastrin

Gastrin stimulates pepsinogen secretion in the digestive process.

Question 2

What are the main functions of the digestive system?

Answer 2

• Completes digestion
• Absorption of nutrients

Question 3

What nutrients are transported into intestinal cells?

Answer 3

• Monosaccharides
• Amino acids
• Short peptides
• Fatty acids

Question 4

What is the largest organ in the body?

Answer 4

Liver

Question 5

What does the liver monitor?

Answer 5

The blood contents as it comes from the small intestine via the hepatic portal vein

Question 6

What is produced by the pancreas to neutralize acidic chyme?

Answer 6

Sodium bicarbonate

Question 7

What triggers the release of pancreatic juice?

Answer 7

Acidic chyme from the stomach

Question 8

What is the function of the pyloric sphincter?

Answer 8

Opens to admit chyme into the small intestine

Question 9

What is the structure called where the small intestine joins with the large intestine?

Answer 9

Ileo-caecal opening

Question 10

What is the caecum?

Answer 10

A blind pouch at the end of the small intestine with no function in humans

Question 11

What are the five parts of the large intestine?

Answer 11

• Ascending colon
• Transverse colon
• Descending colon
• Rectum
• Anus

Question 12

What is the length of the small intestine?

Answer 12

3 meters or ~10 feet

Question 13

What is the primary function of the stomach?

Answer 13

Physical and chemical digestion of food

Question 14

What are the chief cells in the stomach responsible for producing?

Answer 14

Pepsinogen

Question 15

What does pepsinogen convert into when activated?

Answer 15

Pepsin

Question 16

What is the composition of gastric juice?

Answer 16

• Water
• Pepsinogen
• Hydrochloric acid (HCl)

Question 17

What is the function of salivary amylase?

Answer 17

Breaks down starches

Question 18

What does the pancreas produce besides digestive enzymes?

Answer 18

Insulin

Question 19

What is the role of insulin?

Answer 19

Lowers blood sugar by facilitating glucose uptake in cells

Question 20

What is the function of glucagon?

Answer 20

Increases blood glucose levels

Question 21

What is bile and where is it stored?

Answer 21

A green fluid that emulsifies fats, stored in the gall bladder

Question 22

What are the seven functions of the liver?

Answer 22

• Removes and metabolizes toxic material
• Stores extra glucose as glycogen
• Destroys old red blood cells
• Produces bile
• Produces urea
• Makes blood proteins
• Converts amino acids to glucose (gluconeogenesis)

Question 23

What is the primary role of the esophagus?

Answer 23

Pushing food into the stomach by peristalsis

Question 24

What is peristalsis?

Answer 24

Rhythmic, wavelike contraction of the esophagus and intestine

Question 25

What are the three pairs of salivary glands?

Answer 25

* Parotid * Sublingual * Submandibular

Question 26

What are the types of teeth based on diet?

Answer 26

* Carnivores: grasping and severing teeth * Herbivores: flat teeth for crushing * Omnivores: variety of tooth types

Question 27

What is the function of the epiglottis?

Answer 27

Closes off the glottis during swallowing to prevent choking

Question 28

What is the structure that separates the mouth from the nasal cavity?

Answer 28

Palate

Question 29

What is the bolus?

Answer 29

A food ball formed during swallowing

Question 30

What are the components of saliva?

Answer 30

* Water * Mucus * Salivary amylase

Question 31

What does the liver produce from the breakdown of amino acids?

Answer 31

Urea

Question 32

What is the role of E. coli in the large intestine?

Answer 32

* Digest undigestable material * Produce gas * Produce vitamins

Question 33

What is the difference between simple nervous reflex and conditioned reflex in digestive gland secretions?

Answer 33

* Simple nervous reflex: Presence of food triggers secretion * Conditioned reflex: External stimulus triggers secretion

Question 34

Fill in the blank: Salivary amylase is produced by the _______.

Answer 34

Salivary glands

Question 35

Fill in the blank: The stomach has a capacity of about _______ litres.

Answer 35

1

Question 36

True or False: The appendix has a significant function in humans.

Answer 36

False