MCAT Biology : Digestive Enzymes and Cell Types

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for MCAT Biology

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Example Questions

Example Question #21 : Digestive Enzymes And Cell Types

Which pancreatic enzyme is activated first, then proceeds to activate other enzymes such as pancreatic amylase and pancreatic deoxyribonuclease?

Possible Answers:

Lipase

Chymotrypsin

Ribonuclease

Trypsin

Correct answer:

Trypsin

Explanation:

All pancreatic enzymes are secreted into the duodenum in zymogen form in order to prevent autodigestion of the small intestine. Trypsinogen is autoactivated to trypsin, which then proceeds to activate the other enzymes released from the pancreas, such as chymotrypsin, amylase, lipase, and the enzymes that break down digested DNA and RNA.

Example Question #591 : Mcat Biological Sciences

Carbohydrate digestion begins in the mouth with what enzyme?

Possible Answers:

Lipase

Alpha-amylase

Pepsin

Trypsin

Correct answer:

Alpha-amylase

Explanation:

Alpha-amylase is a component of saliva and is responsible for the initial digestion of carbohydrate and starch molecules. Chewing food increases the surface area over which alpha-amylase can act on ingested starches, preparing them for further digestion by the stomach.

Trypsin and pepsin break down proteins, while lipase breaks down fats. Pepsin becomes active in the stomach, while trypsin and lipase are mostly active in the small intestine.

Example Question #66 : Digestive System

-amylase, found in saliva, plays a role in the digestion of what compounds?

Possible Answers:

Proteins

Amino Acids

Carbohydrates

All of these will be digested by -amylase

Fats

Correct answer:

Carbohydrates

Explanation:

The correct answer is carbohydrates.

Salivary amylase can only digest carbohydrates. Proteases further along in the digestive pathway breakdown proteins, while lipases digest fats. Amino acids are the product of digested proteins.

Example Question #592 : Mcat Biological Sciences

Which of the following enzymes can break complex carbohydrates into simple sugars?

Possible Answers:

Carbonic anhydrase

Lingual lipase

Mucin

Salivary amylase

Correct answer:

Salivary amylase

Explanation:

Salivary amylase is produced by the salivary glands in the mouth. Its primary role is to break carbohydrates into simple sugars so that they can be digested further after passing through the oral cavity.

Lingual lipase is responsible for the digestion of lipids (fats), not carbohydrates. Carbonic anhydrase proteins are responsible for reacting gaseous carbon dioxide to form bicarbonate or carbonic acid. Salivary carbonic anhydrase removes the gas from ingested carbonated drinks; it does not participate in the digestion of food. Mucin is a protein found in saliva and mucous linings, and is designed to add viscosity to these secretions. It serves no enzymatic function.

Example Question #593 : Mcat Biological Sciences

What digestive cells are responsible for the secretion of pepsinogen?

Possible Answers:

G cells

Goblet cells

Parietal cells

Chief cells

Correct answer:

Chief cells

Explanation:

The stomach houses a number of highly specialized cells that aid in digestion. G cells secrete gastrin, which stimulates parietal cells to secrete hydrochloric acid. Chief cells secrete pepsinogen, which interacts with the acid to generate active pepsin. Pepsin then acts on ingested proteins and begins to cleave them.

Goblet cells secrete the mucous lining of the stomach.

Example Question #594 : Mcat Biological Sciences

Where does protein digestion begin?

Possible Answers:

Small intestine

Large intestine

Stomach

Oral cavity

Correct answer:

Stomach

Explanation:

Protein digestion begins in the stomach, where it is exposed to the protein pepsin. Pepsin only serves preliminary digestive processes. Protein fragments are further broken down by proteases in the small intestine, allowing amino acids and small protein fragments to be absorbed into the bloodstream.

Carbohydrate digestion begins in the mouth with salivary amylase. Lipid digestion and nucleic acid digestion begin in the small intestine.

Example Question #21 : Digestive Enzymes And Cell Types

Which enzyme, when released from the duodenum of the small intestine, stimulates the gallbladder to contract?

Possible Answers:

Cholecystokinin

Chymotrypsin

Secretin

Gastrin

Correct answer:

Cholecystokinin

Explanation:

Cholecystokinin (CCK), made by the I cells of the small intestine and secreted into the duodenum, serves to stimulate contraction of the muscular layer of the gallbladder. CCK is generally released within two to three minutes of ingesting food, especially foods that are high in fats and triglycerides. As the gallbladder contracts, it releases bile salts into the duodenum that help solubilize ingested fat for absorption in the jejunum of the small intestine.

Secretin stimulates release of bicarbonate from the pancreas, gastrin stimulates release of acid in the stomach, and chymotrypsin cleaves peptide bonds of ingested proteins. 

Example Question #22 : Digestive Enzymes And Cell Types

All of the following are neurotransmitters involved in peristalsis except __________.

Possible Answers:

Substance P

Acetylcholine

Nitric oxide

Calcitonin

Correct answer:

Calcitonin

Explanation:

Calcitonin is a hormone secreted by the thyroid in response to increased blood-calcium levels. It acts on the cells of bone to inhibit osteoclast activity (bone break down) and promote osteoblast activity (bone synthesis).

Acetylcholine and substance P are both neurotransmitters involved in orad contraction during peristalsis. Nitric oxide is a neurotransmitter involved in caudad relaxation during peristalsis.

Example Question #28 : Digestive Enzymes And Cell Types

Which of the following hormones is responsible for the release of bile into the duodenum from the gallbladder?

Possible Answers:

Gastrin

Cholecystokinin

Renin

Secretin

Correct answer:

Cholecystokinin

Explanation:

The answer to this question is cholecystokinin (CCK). CCK is responsible for the release of bile from the gallbladder. The bile is responsible for fat breakdown and absorption in the small intestine, as the bile acts to emulsify fats so that lipase can effectively digest them.

Gastrin and secretin are also digestive hormones, but serve different functions. Gastrin promotes acid release from parietal cells in the stomach, while secretin suppresses acid release. Renin is not involved in digestion, and is released in response to low blood pressure.

Example Question #29 : Digestive Enzymes And Cell Types

What directly causes the release of bile into the duodenum?

Possible Answers:

Lipid stimulation of the gallbladder to produce bile

Cholecystokinin stimulation of the liver to produce bile

Lipid stimulation of the gallbladder to release bile

Cholecystokinin stimulation of the gallbladder to release bile

Correct answer:

Cholecystokinin stimulation of the gallbladder to release bile

Explanation:

Bile is released by the gallbladder due to secretion of cholecystokinin (CCK) in response to lipid digestion. Cholecystokinin is produced by I cells of the small intestine and has a number of digestive regulation effects, including pancreatic and liver stimulation. The liver produces bile, which is stored in the gall bladder until stimulation with CCK cause gall bladder contraction and bile release.

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