Human Anatomy and Physiology : Excretory and Digestive Physiology

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for Human Anatomy and Physiology

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Example Questions

Example Question #2 : Help With Mouth, Pharynx, And Esophagus Physiology

In which part of the digestive system does carbohydrate digestion begin?

Possible Answers:

Mouth

Pharynx

Stomach

Small intestine

Esophagus

Correct answer:

Mouth

Explanation:

The correct answer is mouth. While each answer choice has a part in the digestion process, carbohydrate digestion begins in the mouth, which provides enzymes required for starch (amylase) and sugar (lactase, maltase, sucrase) digestion.

Carbohydrate digestion (starches and sugars) begins in the mouth with the enzyme salivary amylase. Amylase, which is also found in the small intestine, is responsible for breaking apart starches. Sugars are also digested (broken down) by three major enzymes located in the mouth and small intestine (lactase, maltase, sucrase). The carbohydrates are broken down along the gastrointestinal tract (mouth, pharynx, esophagus, stomach) and are absorbed while moving through the small intestine.

 

Example Question #1 : Help With Mouth, Pharynx, And Esophagus Physiology

Which of the following extrinsic muscles of the tongue is responsible for depression and protrusion?

Possible Answers:

Palatoglossus

Genioglossus

Styloglossus

Vertical muscle

Hyoglossus

Correct answer:

Genioglossus

Explanation:

Styloglossus: elevates and retracts tongue

Hyoglossus: depresses and retracts the tongue

Palatoglossus: elevates the tongue

Vertical muscles: this is an intrinsic muscle of the tongue

Example Question #5 : Help With Mouth, Pharynx, And Esophagus Physiology

What is the definition of "deglutition"?

Possible Answers:

Swallowing

Voiding

Chewing

Urinating

Correct answer:

Swallowing

Explanation:

"Deglutition" is the scientific term for swallowing. In contrast, the scientific term for chewing is "mastication." The scientific term for urination is "micturition." Lastly, "voiding" is also another word for urination. 

Example Question #6 : Help With Mouth, Pharynx, And Esophagus Physiology

Which of the following does not begin digestion in the mouth?

Possible Answers:

glucose

lipids

polysaccharides

proteins

Correct answer:

proteins

Explanation:

Proteins need pepsin in order to begin digestion, and that enzyme is only produced in the stomach — not the mouth.

Example Question #1 : Digestive Physiology

Which stomach cell is responsible for the activation of pepsinogen?

Possible Answers:

Chief cells

G cells

Parietal cells

Goblet cells

Correct answer:

Parietal cells

Explanation:

Pepsinogen is an inactive enzyme that is released into the stomach lumen by chief cells. Parietal cells are responsible for secreting hydrochloric acid. This acid will cleave the pepsinogen and make it an active enzyme, pepsin, which can then cleave peptide bonds and begin protein digestion.

Goblet cells secrete mucus to protect the epithelium of the stomach from the acid in the lumen. G cells secrete gastrin, which promotes the secretion of hydrochloric acid and pepsinogen.

Example Question #1 : Digestive Physiology

Stratified squamous epithelium can be found in all of the following except in the __________.

Possible Answers:

anal canal

esophagus

stomach

oropharynx

oral cavity

Correct answer:

stomach

Explanation:

Stratified squamous epithelium protects tissues in areas that are prone to abrasion. This lining consists of many layers and is typically located on the areas near/associated with the mouth, excretory system, and the esophagus. The stomach does not have a stratified squamous epithelial lining, as it instead uses simple columnar epithelium.

Example Question #3 : Digestive Physiology

Which of the following is not a function of the stomach?

Possible Answers:

Denaturation of proteins

Mechanical breakdown of food

Initiation of protein digestion

Absorption of triglycerides

Storage of ingested food

Correct answer:

Absorption of triglycerides

Explanation:

The stomach stores ingested food, denatures proteins, initiates protein digestion, and mechanically breaks down food. The absorption of triglycerides, or lipids, takes place in the small intestine.

Example Question #4 : Digestive Physiology

Which of the following exits the stomach most quickly during gastric emptying?

Possible Answers:

Isotonic liquids

Hypotonic liquids

Fatty particulates

Protein-rich particulates

Hypertonic liquids

Correct answer:

Isotonic liquids

Explanation:

Liquids exit the stomach more quickly than solids, and isotonic solutions exits more quickly than hypertonic or hypotonic solutions. As such, isotonic liquids will exit the stomach most quickly during gastric emptying.

Solids exit the stomach in the general order of carbohydrates, followed by proteins, followed by fats.

Example Question #31 : Excretory And Digestive Physiology

Which stomach cell type secretes the  that converts pepsinogen to pepsin in the stomach and, secretes intrinsic factor, for vitamin B12 absorption later in the gastrointestinal tract?

Possible Answers:

Chief cells

Goblet cells

G-cells

Parietal cells

Correct answer:

Parietal cells

Explanation:

Goblet cells secrete mucous, which protects the stomach lining. Chief cells secrete pepsinogen, which must be converted to pepsin by acid in order to carry out its function of breaking down proteins. G-cells secrete gastrin, increase secretion from the other cells, and induce muscle contractions. Parietal cells secrete both  and intrinsic factor.

Example Question #32 : Excretory And Digestive Physiology

Which of the following describes venous blood leaving the stomach? 

Possible Answers:

Neutral in pH

Acidic in pH when food is present, and basic in pH when food is absent

Basic in pH

Basic in pH when food is present, and acidic in pH when food is absent

Acidic in pH

Correct answer:

Basic in pH

Explanation:

Since the stomach releases  ions into the stomach, it releases bicarbonate into its venous supply, which can feed into the pancreas. This allows the pancreas to release the bicarbonate into the lumen to help neutralize the stomach acid. Remember, the venous blood leaving the pancreas is acidic in nature and can help provide the stomach with a supply of  ions for its functionality. 

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