LO3- digestive system

Question 1

January 2017
3c) Daisy has been diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome. It has been suggested that she keeps a food diary, avoid fizzy drinks and coffee and takes up some form of exercise.

Give a reason for each of these 3 suggestions?
(3 marks)

Answer 1

Food diary= allows a record of food eaten to be recorded and matched against bouts of pain/ identifies food that should be avoided

Avoiding fizzy drinks and coffee= both irritate the gut and cause symptoms of ibs so can increase symptoms and inconvenience

Exercise= helps reduce stress which appears to trigger IBS- regular gentle exercise will lead to well being and reduction of symptoms.

Question 2

January 2017
3b(ii) describe how the small intestine is adapted to absorb the products of digestion
(3 marks)

Answer 2

large surface area
surface area increased by microvilli
contains blood capillaries to absorb sugars, amino acids and vitamins
contains lymph vessel to absorb fatty acids

Question 3

January 2017
3b) the stomach carries out both mechanical and chemical digestion
i) Explain how the stomach carries out these functions
(4 marks)

Answer 3

mechanical
muscles of stomach churn food
breaks food into smaller pieces

chemical
produces enzyme pepsin
action triggered by hydrolic acid

Question 4

January 2017
identify one digestive function of each part of the digestive system
(4 marks)

Answer 4

chewing using teeth, tongue, jaws mechanical digestion, tasting food, chemical digestion, saliva amylase

Moving food by muscle/peristalsis in stomach

stores or releases bile

produces bile and assimilates absorbed product of digestion

Question 5

January 2017
bernard has cirrhosis of the liver

Describe what is meant by the term cirrhosis of the liver

(2 marks)

Answer 5

Death of liver cells

replaced by scar tissue

Question 6

January 2017
Excessive consumption of alcohol is normally the cause of liver cirrhosis

Identify what a healthy liver does to alcohol

(1 mark)

Answer 6

breaks alcohol down/ removes alcohol from blood/ detoxifies alcohol

Question 7

June 2017
Assess the impact diabetes may have on Amrits daily life
(8 marks)

Answer 7

requires regular monitoring
healthy diet needs to to followed- may impact attitude
loss of weight
increase exercise
stop smoking if applicable
all lifestyle changes require commitment, will power and effort
keep required medical appointments and eye examinations

Question 8

June 2017
Describe two examples of monitoring Amrit must undertake regularly for diabetes
(4 marks)

Answer 8

blood sugar- needs to maintain blood glucose levels at set target to avoid vascular damage

Glycated haemoglobin- measures glucose carried in red blood cells and can indicate risks of nerve damage, kidney damage and strokes

urine composition- needs to monitor blood sugar levels escaping in urine- could be over managed resulting in hypoglycaemia

Blood pressure- needs to be below 130/80 to avoid complications of strokes

Question 9

June 2017
Explain the function of the following parts of the digestive system
- salvitory glands
- epiglottis 
- large intestine
- rectum 

(4 marks)

Answer 9

salviatory glands
lubricates food and salviatory amylase starts chemical digestion/allows food to be tasted

Epiglottis- closes over the airway during swallowing to prevent food entering the trachea

large intestine
absorbs water, houses gut bacteria/ synthesises vitamins

rectum
stores faeces before expulsion

Question 10

Molly and Pamela have digestive malfunctions. Molly has gallstones and Pamela has IBS.

identify 2 possible causes of mollys gallstones

(2 marks)

Answer 10

imbalance of cholesterol 
crystals form in bile ducts more likely if :
female
over 40
obese
family history
excess alcohol

Question 11

June 2017
Identify 2 functions of the pancreatic juice

(2 marks)

Answer 11

contains alkaline salts to neutralise acidic food released from the stomach

contains digestive enzymes to break down carbohydrates, protein and fats in duodenum

Question 12

June 2017
Molly and Pamela have digestive malfunctions. Molly has gallstones and Pamela has IBS

identify 2 possible effects of gallstones on molly

(2 marks)

Answer 12

abdominal pain
jaundice
fever
nausea

Question 13

June 2017
Analyse the possible impact of IBS on Pamela’s daily life

(6 marks)

Answer 13

abdominal pain and discomfort
need to visit the toilet
flatulence issues
can restrict diet
make socialising with others difficult
may need to avoid stressful situations

Question 14

January 2020
various techniques and treatments are available to monitor and treat malfunctions of the digestive system
- ultra sound
- endoscopy
- lithotherapy

analyse techniques and treatment for the above
(8 marks)

Answer 14

lithotherapy

• high frequency
• local epidural
• uses fluoroscopy (x rays) to obtain real time moving images
• use to break down gall stones

ultra sound

• uses gel, apparatus pressed on skin and image displayed on a screen
• sound waves bounce back to show images of organs
• detect blockages

endoscopy

• gastroscopy
• colonoscopy
• long flexible tube inserted to mouth of anus
• camera on the end
• can detect causes of pain- IBS

Question 15

June 2018

Pancreatic juices play a part in digestion. They are released from the pancreas into the _____ intestine. They neutralize the chyme (partially digested food from the stomach) because they are _____. They contain chemicals called _____ which breakdown the food into smaller soluble molecules. These chemicals break down all three of the major food groups carbohydrates, ____ and ____.

2(b) Complete the description about pancreatic juices

Use the words from the list provided Acid, Alkaline, Enzymes, Fats, Large, Proteins.

5 Marks

Answer 15

Pancreatic juices play a part in digestion. They are released from the pancreas into the small intestine. They neutralize the chyme (partially digested food from the stomach) because they are alkaline. They contain chemicals called enzymes which breakdown the food into smaller soluble molecules. These chemicals break down all three of the major food groups carbohydrates, fats and proteins.

Question 16

June 2018

2(c)(i) Name a malfunction of the digestive system

1 Mark

Answer 16

Coeliac disease

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

Gallstones

Question 17

June 2018

2(c)(ii) Describe how the digestive system is affected by the malfunction in question 2(c)(i) (coeliac disease, IBS, Gallstones)

4 Marks

Answer 17

Coeliac disease-
• hypersensitivity to gluten • causes autoimmune response • walls of villi attacked • microvilli become damaged • villi appear flattened • surface area reduced • absorption of digestive products reduced/weight loss • abdominal pain

IBS-
• intestinal disorder • affects the colon (the large intestine) • muscles in colon do not work at the right speed • or coordination with muscles in the rectum or pelvis is interrupted • leads to abdominal cramps/spasm, bloating, constipation and diarrhoea/pain

Gallstones-
block the normal flow of bile • lodge in the ducts that carry bile from the liver to the small intestine • bile builds up in your gall bladder leading to attacks • gall bladder attacks cause pain in the upper right abdomen

Question 18

Jan 2018

4(c)* Albert has been diagnosed with diabetes

Analyse the effects diabetes can have on daily activities

10 Marks

Answer 18

Effects-
checking blood sugar levels, nuisance – problem if forget kit

insulin injections – must be stored at specific temperature – may be problem if out of house for long periods

varying injection site – to prevent development of lumps under skin

needing to be aware of early signs of hypoglycaemia - exercise important – too heavy exercise may throw sugar levels out of balance

retinopathy

risk of infection/loss of sensitivity/amputations

strokes

kidney damage

Analyse-
constraints on social activities

daily routine needs to be planned around management of condition

need to plan events e.g, day out, going on holiday carefully – being spontaneous/acting on impulse may not be possible

social barriers e.g, embarrassment, lack of understanding of others

emotional barriers e.g, anxiety about effects of condition, problems

withdrawal from social activities eg, isolation, loss of friends

limitations on daily activities linked to severe consequences of diabetes

Question 19

Jan 2018

4(a)* Describe chemical digestion in the small intestine

6 Marks

Answer 19

Bile released from gall bladder / neutralises acidic chyme to provide optimum conditions for intestinal enzymes, all of which require alkaline conditions.

Pancreas releases protease(trypsin), lipase and carbohydrase enzymes (amylase/sucrose/maltase) so all three food groups broken down

Wall of small intestine also produces protease (peptidase) and carbohydrase

Fats broken down to fatty acids and glycerol Protein broken down to polypeptides then to amino acids

Complex carbohydrates broken down to simple sugars Emulsification of fats

Neutralisation of acidic environment by alkaline component of pancreatic juice.

Question 20

Jan 2019

4(b)(iii) Name one organ that bile is stored in

1 Mark

Answer 20

Gallbladder

Question 21

Jan 2019

4(b)(ii) Name two organs that produce enzymes

Answer 21

Pancreas

Liver

Small intestine

Stomach

Question 22

Jan 2019

4(b)(iv) Name one organ where the products of digestion enter the blood

1 Mark

Answer 22

Small intestine

Question 23

Jan 2019

4(a) The digestive system consists of specialist organs that work together to break down food.

Describe what happens to food in the buccal cavity up to the time it enters the stomach

4 Marks

Answer 23

Mechanical points
Mechanical digestion occurs

Food is chewed

Made malleable/bolus is formed

Salivary glands produce saliva

Food is lubricated

Food is swallowed and enters oesophagus

Oesophagus performs peristalsis (accept pushes/moves food to the stomach)

Chemical points
Chemical digestion occurs

Saliva contains enzyme (amylase)

Starch/carbohydrates is broken down into simple sugars (glucose/maltose)

Question 24

4(b)(i) Name one organ that secretes Hydrochloric acid

1 Mark

Answer 24

Stomach

Question 25

Jan 2019

2(e)(ii) Candice has just found out that she has cirrhosis of the liver.

Discuss the possible causes for cirrhosis and the effects cirrhosis have on her liver function

6 Marks

Answer 25

Possible causes of cirrhosis:
drinking too much alcohol (accept drinking) over many years

hepatitis infection over a long period of time, e.g. hepatitis C

fatty liver disease accept fatty diet

Accept other relevant examples

      Effects on liver function:  
liver cells (hepatocytes) are damaged  

scar tissue forms

disrupts bile production e.g. bile builds up and released into blood

disrupts production of proteins e.g. albumin/blood clotting proteins

disrupts ability to breakdown toxins e.g. alcohol

Ascites can develop

In extreme cases liver failure can occur

Jaundice can develop

Storage of glycogen is disrupted

Question 26

Jan 2019

4(c)* Karim has coeliac disease.

Explain why he has been advised not to eat foods containing gluten as part of his dietry support plan

6 Marks

Answer 26

Coeliac disease is an autoimmune disease.

Immune response is triggered by protein in wheat called gluten.

So foods such as pasta, bread and cereals can trigger the response

Small projections called villi/microvilli found in lining of small intestine are damaged by the immune response.

Small intestine can become inflamed.

Absorption of nutrients takes place in small intestine so this process is affected. This will trigger symptoms such as bloating, abdominal pain etc.

Coeliac can cause other diseases e.g. anaemia, osteoporosis

Question 27

Jan 2019

4(d)(i) Apart from its role in digestion, the pancreas also functions as an endocrine organ and produces hormones

Explain what is meant by the term ‘Hormone’

2 Marks

Answer 27

Chemical messenger

Produced by glands (accept organs)

Carried by blood

Act on specific organ

Question 28

Jan 2020

4(e)(i) IBS is a malfunction of the digestive system

Identify two symptoms of IBS

2 Marks

Answer 28

pain/cramps

diarrhoea/needing the toilet constantly

constipation

bloating

flatulence/wind

Question 29

Jan 2020

4(e)(ii) State two possible causes of IBS

2 Marks

Answer 29

intestine is sensitive (to certain foods/triggers)

walls of large intestines go into spasm

food moves too slowly through digestive system (causing constipation)

food moves too quickly through digestive system (causing diarrhoea)

lack of fibre in the diet

stress

previous digestive illness

family history

Question 30

Jan 2020

4(d) Nutrients are needed for healthy bones. These nutrients enter the blood from the digestive system by the process of absorption in the small intestine.

Explain how the wall of the small intestine is adapted for the absorption of nutrients

4 Marks

Answer 30

has villi/microvilli - increased surface area for absorption and/or swaying action

lacteals inside villi - fat products can enter lymphatic system (lacteals)

Large capillary network - has blood supply for absorbing nutrients

Thin walls/One cell thick/short diffusion pathway - nutrients can diffuse easily

Question 31

June 2019

1(b)(i) The gall bladder has a duct that releases fluid into the small intestine

Name this duct

1 Mark

Answer 31

Bile duct

Question 32

June 2019

1(b)(ii) The gall bladder has a duct that releases fluid into the small intestine

What is the role of the fluid that is released from the gall bladder?

1 Mark

Answer 32

emulsify fats (lipids)

make the fluid of the small intestine (chyme) alkaline

raise the pH of the fluid in the small intestine (chyme)

neutralise the acidic fluid leaving the stomach (chyme)

Activate/increase efficiency of enzymes (lipase, amylase etc)

Question 33

1(e)* Type 2 diabetes may occur when liver cells no longer respond to insulin and stop removing glucose from the blood.

Explain the advised treatments and lifestyle changes for people diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes.

6 Marks

Answer 33

Examples with explanations to include: Treatments

medications to control blood sugar levels (medication alone is too vague)

medications to stimulate pancreas to produce more insulin (medication alone is too vague)

insulin but only used in later stages of type II diabetes where the pancreas is no longer producing insulin (insulin alone is too vague). Lifestyle changes

Taking regular exercise which helps use glucose in blood/lowers blood sugar levels.

Regular exercise would use carbohydrates

Losing weight as obesity is risk factor for diabetes

Low carbohydrate/sugar diet so less insulin required

Increase intake of vegetables and other foods high in dietary fibre

Reducing the amount of saturated fat in the diet reduces obesity risk factor

Reduce alcohol as it is high in sugar/calories

Question 34

June 2019

1(d) The liver is also part of the digestive system.

Complete the sentences about the functions of the liver.

Use words from the list. Each word can be used once, more than once, or not at all.

Assimilation platelets detoxification absorption deamination erythrocytes glycogen starch protein After food has been digested, the liver plays an important role in removing glucose from the blood and converting it into ______, which can be stored inside cells. This is an example of _____. The liver has many other functions, including the breakdown and recycling of worn out _____, and the removal of the amino group from amino acids, which is known as _____. Poisonous substances such as alcohol are also broken down in the liver by the process of _____.

5 Marks

Answer 34

Assimilation platelets detoxification absorption deamination erythrocytes glycogen starch protein After food has been digested, the liver plays an important role in removing glucose from the blood and converting it into glycogen, which can be stored inside cells. This is an example of assimilation. The liver has many other functions, including the breakdown and recycling of worn-out erythrocytes, and the removal of the amino group from amino acids, which is known as deamination. Poisonous substances such as alcohol are also broken down in the liver by the process of detoxification.