Question 1

Digestion is completed in the large intestine.

Accepted Answer

Digestion is mostly completed in the small intestine. The large intestine's main function is to absorb water and electrolytes from the remaining indigestible food matter and eliminate it as feces. Some limited digestion of carbohydrates and proteins may occur in the large intestine due to microbial fermentation, but it is not significant compared to the small intestine's role in digestion.

Question 2

Some partially digested nutrients can be caught in the microvilli, but they cannot be further digested.

Accepted Answer

Microvilli increase the surface area of the cell for absorption and enzymes located on the microvilli further digest nutrients, allowing them to be absorbed into the bloodstream.

Question 3

Immediately before passing into the large intestine, the food mass must pass though the ____.
A) ​pyloric sphincter
B) ​lower esophageal sphincter
C) ​ileocecal valve
D) ​bolus
E) ​pancreas

Accepted Answer

The ileocecal valve is the opening between the small intestine and the large intestine. Before passing into the large intestine, the food mass must pass through this valve. The pyloric sphincter is the opening between the stomach and the small intestine and the lower esophageal sphincter is the opening between the esophagus and the stomach, which have already been passed by the food mass. The bolus is the ball of food formed in the mouth before swallowing, and the pancreas is a gland that secretes digestive enzymes into the small intestine.

Question 4

The stomach empties into the ____.
A) ​ileum
B) ​cecum
C) ​jejunum
D) ​duodenum
E) ​gallbladder

Accepted Answer

The stomach empties its contents into the duodenum, the beginning portion of the small intestine.

Question 5

Saliva protects tooth surfaces and the linings of the mouth, esophagus, and stomach from attack by molecules that might be harmful.

Accepted Answer

Saliva contains enzymes and proteins that help to neutralize and wash away harmful substances that might come into contact with the teeth and mouth, thereby protecting them from damage.

Question 6

The digestive tract begins at the ____ and ends at the ____.
A) ​stomach; large intestine
B) ​pharynx; rectum
C) ​lower esophageal sphincter; rectum
D) ​mouth; anus
E) ​tongue; renal glands

Accepted Answer

The digestive tract begins at the mouth and ends at the anus.

Question 7

Pepsin cannot function in the strong acidic environment of the stomach.

Accepted Answer

Pepsin is most active in the acidic environment of the stomach with a pH of around 2.0 to 4.0.

Question 8

People should not eat certain food combinations at the same meal because the digestive system cannot handle more than one task at a time.

Accepted Answer

The digestive system is able to handle multiple tasks at once and is designed to break down and absorb different types of foods eaten together. However, some food combinations may be more difficult to digest than others and may cause discomfort for some individuals.

Question 9

A nutrient or other substance must pass through the cells of the digestive tract wall before it actually enters the body.

Accepted Answer

Nutrients or other substances that are ingested must pass through the cells of the digestive tract wall to be absorbed into the bloodstream and enter the body. This process is known as absorption.

Question 10

The ____ prevents food from entering the lungs.
A) ​lower esophageal sphincter
B) ​pharynx
C) ​ileocecal valve
D) ​epiglottis
E) ​esophagus

Accepted Answer

The epiglottis is a flap of tissue that covers the trachea during swallowing, preventing food or liquid from entering the lungs. The lower esophageal sphincter, pharynx, ileocecal valve, and esophagus do not play a direct role in preventing food from entering the lungs.

Question 11

Another name for the digestive tract is the ____.
A) ​urinary tract
B) ​exocrine system
C) ​gastrointestinal tract
D) ​muscular system
E) ​bolus reduction system

Accepted Answer

The gastrointestinal (GI) tract, also known as the digestive tract, is a series of hollow organs joined in a long, twisting tube from the mouth to the anus. This tube helps break down food into smaller components that can be absorbed by the body.

Question 12

Chyme is a(n) ____.
A) ​semiliquid mass of partially digested food
B) ​portion of food swallowed at one time
C) ​enzyme in the stomach needed for the digestion of protein
D) ​esophageal secretion
E) ​digesting liquid, similar to pepsin

Accepted Answer

Chyme is the semiliquid mass of partially digested food that is produced in the stomach as a result of mixing food with gastric juices such as hydrochloric acid and enzymes.

Question 13

Two organs that secrete digestive juices into the small intestine are the ____ and the ____.
A) ​gallbladder; pancreas
B) ​pancreas; liver
C) ​gallbladder; liver
D) ​duodenum; pancreas
E) ​appendix; prostate

Accepted Answer

The gallbladder secretes bile into the small intestine, aiding in the digestion of fats, while the pancreas produces digestive enzymes and bicarbonate, which help digest proteins, fats, and carbohydrates.

Question 14

A bolus is a(n) ____.
A) ​sphincter muscle separating the stomach from the small intestine
B) ​portion of food swallowed at one time
C) ​enzyme that hydrolyzes starch
D) ​portion of partially digested food expelled by the stomach into the duodenum
E) ​small, indigestible portion of food that can get stuck in the large intestine

Accepted Answer

A bolus is a portion of food swallowed at one time.

Question 15

The movement of chyme from the stomach into the small intestine is regulated by the ____.
A) ​pancreas
B) ​pyloric sphincter
C) ​ileocecal valve
D) ​duodenum
E) ​epiglottis

Accepted Answer

The movement of chyme (partially digested food) from the stomach into the small intestine is regulated by the pyloric sphincter, a muscular valve located at the end of the stomach. It opens to release small amounts of chyme at a time into the small intestine, allowing for optimal digestion and absorption of nutrients.

Question 16

The mouth initiates the liquefying process to reduce the food to a coarse mash suitable for swallowing.

Accepted Answer

The mouth does initiate the liquefying process by using saliva to break down the food into a coarse mash before it is swallowed.

Question 17

Drinking plenty of water in conjunction with eating foods high in fiber supplies fluid for the fiber to take up, thus relieving constipation.

Accepted Answer

Drinking water is crucial in relieving constipation as it helps the fiber to absorb the necessary fluid to soften the stool and promote bowel movements. Without adequate water intake, fiber can actually worsen constipation.

Question 18

The ____ is formed in the mouth.
A) ​bile
B) ​bolus
C) ​chyme
D) ​villus
E) ​sphincter

Accepted Answer

The bolus is the term used to describe the ball of food that is formed in the mouth when it is mixed with saliva and masticated.

Question 19

Of all the organs in the GI tract, the small intestine has the thickest walls and strongest muscles.

Accepted Answer

The small intestine has thin walls and weaker muscles compared to other organs in the GI tract such as the stomach and colon. However, it has a larger surface area for absorption due to its many folds and villi.

Question 20

Segmentation propels or pushes food through the GI tract, while peristalsis mixes the food, with a more gradual pushing motion.

Accepted Answer

Peristalsis propels or pushes food through the GI tract with wave-like muscle contractions, while segmentation mixes the food by contracting and relaxing segments of the intestine, without necessarily moving it in one direction.

Quiz 5: Digestion and Absorption

Digestion is completed in the large intestine.

Some partially digested nutrients can be caught in the microvilli, but they cannot be further digested.

Immediately before passing into the large intestine, the food mass must pass though the ____.

The stomach empties into the ____.

Saliva protects tooth surfaces and the linings of the mouth, esophagus, and stomach from attack by molecules that might be harmful.

The digestive tract begins at the and ends at the .

Pepsin cannot function in the strong acidic environment of the stomach.

People should not eat certain food combinations at the same meal because the digestive system cannot handle more than one task at a time.

A nutrient or other substance must pass through the cells of the digestive tract wall before it actually enters the body.

The ____ prevents food from entering the lungs.

Another name for the digestive tract is the ____.

Chyme is a(n) ____.

Two organs that secrete digestive juices into the small intestine are the and the .

A bolus is a(n) ____.

The movement of chyme from the stomach into the small intestine is regulated by the ____.

The mouth initiates the liquefying process to reduce the food to a coarse mash suitable for swallowing.

Drinking plenty of water in conjunction with eating foods high in fiber supplies fluid for the fiber to take up, thus relieving constipation.

The ____ is formed in the mouth.

Of all the organs in the GI tract, the small intestine has the thickest walls and strongest muscles.

Segmentation propels or pushes food through the GI tract, while peristalsis mixes the food, with a more gradual pushing motion.