MCAT Biology : Excretory and Digestive Systems

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for MCAT Biology

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Example Questions

Example Question #73 : Digestive System

Passage:

In a fictional universe, a new life form is discovered that appears to have a number of similarities to humans. Since its discovery by humans, it has been studied with x-ray imaging, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography imaging (CT), as well as with blood chemistries and laboratory studies. Based upon such analyses, scientists have found that both structurally and functionally, this fictional species, called Lorempis marengis, is highly similar to humans. It has structures that appear similar to lungs that are active during respiration. It has a structure that is highly active at all times, especially so in different parts during different activities (similar to the human brain). It also appears to have a digestive tract with a mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, and anus that is assumed to carry out the same functions at the cellular level as the parts of the human digestive tract. Scientists are now hoping to continue studying the organism at the cellular level to confirm their assumption that the cellular functions are indeed similar to those of human tissues.

In one cellular study performed on the organism described in the preceding passage, Lorempis marengis, scientists discover cells called "betts cells," that they believe serve a very similar function to chief cells in the human stomach. If this is accurate, which of the following is directly produced by betts cells?

Possible Answers:

Pepsin

Pepsinogen

Gastrin

Thrombin

Hydrochloric acid 

Correct answer:

Pepsinogen

Explanation:

This question tests your ability to incorporate information from a passage about a fictional organism with many structural and functional similarities to humans to answering a question about similar cellular functions between the two organisms. Ultimately, you are told in the question stem that the new organism contains cells within the stomach called "betts cells" that are very functionally similar to chief cells in the human stomach. Thus, the question is testing your knowledge of the function of human chief cells. The question specifically asks to choose the substance that is produced directly by betts cells, which essentially is asking which substance is produced directly by human chief cells. The only substance listed that is directly produced by the chief cells in the stomach is pepsinogen, which is a zymogen, meaning that it is a precursor to pepsin. Pepsinogen is activated to pepsin when it meets acid in the stomach. Because pepsinogen requires activation outside of the chief cells in order to become pepsin, pepsin is not directly produced by the chief cells, making pepsin an incorrect answer to the question.

Hydrochloric acid is produced by the parietal cells of the stomach, not chief cells.

Gastrin is produced by G cells in the stomach and duodenum, but not chief cells.

Thrombin is a clotting factor found in blood. It is not produce by chief cells.

 

Example Question #72 : Digestive System

Calcium (Ca2+) levels are least directly involved in which of the following process?

Possible Answers:

Bone formation

Signal transduction

Muscle contraction

Biotin and vitamin K production

Correct answer:

Biotin and vitamin K production

Explanation:

Calcium plays an important role in many physiological functions, including signal transduction, muscle contraction, and bone formation. Of all of the processes listed in the answer choices, calcium is least directly related to biotin and vitamin K production. Biotin and vitamin K are synthesized by gut flora.  

Example Question #73 : Digestive System

How could increasing the amount of fiber in one's diet reduce the occurrence of constipation?

Possible Answers:

Increase absorption of other nutrients by gastrointestinal enterocytes

Increase absorption of fiber by gastrointestinal enterocytes

Increase the volume of water entering the gut

Decrease the volume of water entering the gut

Correct answer:

Increase the volume of water entering the gut

Explanation:

This question asks us to understand osmolarity and osmosis. Osmosis is the property of water whereby it moves from a high concentration of water to a low concentration of water, while osmolarity refers to the tendency of solutes to affect the draw of water from one area to another. In more practical terms, this means that water moves from areas of low solute concentration to areas of high solute concentration. Fiber is not digestible by humans, thus it cannot be absorbed by the gastrointestinal enterocytes. Additionally, because fiber cannot be absorbed, it cannot affect the absorption of other compounds in the gut to a great extent. Fiber does, however, increase the number of solute particles in the gut, and so draws water from the circulation and tissues via osmosis. Increasing the flow of water into the lumen will add more water to stool and help relieve constipation.

Example Question #74 : Digestive System

The vitamins include A, B, C, D, E, and K. Which vitamins are fat-soluble and which are water-soluble?

Possible Answers:

All of the vitamins are fat-soluble. 

Vitamins A, D, E, and K are fat-soluble. Vitamins B and C are water-soluble.

Vitamins B and C are fat-soluble. Vitamins A, D, E, and K are water-soluble.

Vitamin C is the only water-soluble vitamin. The rest are fat-soluble.

Correct answer:

Vitamins A, D, E, and K are fat-soluble. Vitamins B and C are water-soluble.

Explanation:

Fat-soluble vitamins include A, D, E, and K. Water-soluble vitamins include B and C. 

Example Question #1 : Other Digestive Physiology

Which of the following nutrients enters the lymphatic vessels (lacteals) of the villi upon absorption?

Possible Answers:

Disaccharides

Triglycerides

Monosaccharides

Nucleotide monomers

Amino acids

Correct answer:

Triglycerides

Explanation:

While carbohydrates and proteins are digested and absorbed directly into the bloodstream, dietary fats are packaged into chylomicrons and moved into the lacteal. The lymphatic system then transports the dietary fats to the large veins of the body via the thoracic duct. The majority of fats are absorbed by this process, but a smaller minority of shorter fatty acids are able to float freely into the bloodstream.

Example Question #581 : Biology

What is the main site of water-soluble vitamin absorption?

Possible Answers:

Ileum

Jejunum

Duodenum

Large intestine

Correct answer:

Large intestine

Explanation:

The majority of food absorption occurs in the later two-thirds of the small intestine, the jejunum and the ileum. Water and water-soluble vitamins, however, are absorbed in the large intestine.

Example Question #582 : Biology

In the human body, the colon primarily absorbs __________.

Possible Answers:

water and salts

only salts

only nutrients

only water

Correct answer:

water and salts

Explanation:

The colon extracts water and salts while forming feces. The colon also absorbs some nutrients that made it through the small intestine without being absorbed, but its main job is water and salt absorbtion. 

Example Question #2 : Other Digestive Physiology

What is the primary purpose of the colon?

Possible Answers:

Secrete water

Absorb proteins and vitamins

Absorb fatty acids

Reabsorb salt and water

Correct answer:

Reabsorb salt and water

Explanation:

The primary purpose of the colon is to reabsorb water and salt (NaCl) in order to dehydrate the stool into a compact form for defecation. On average, the colon reabsorbs 1.5L of water per day and moves excreted sodium from the stool back into systemic circulation for further use. Inhibition of sodium reabsorption by the cholera toxin is what leads to severe dehydration and diarrhea seen in the disease.

Example Question #6 : Other Digestive Physiology

A specific bacterium causes diarrhea in patients. Knowing this, which section of the digestive system would be most affected by the bacterium?

Possible Answers:

Stomach

Large intestine

Small intestine

Liver

Correct answer:

Large intestine

Explanation:

The primary roles of the large intestine are water and electrolyte absorption. If this role is impeded by a pathogen, diarrhea results. Dehydration can also be a secondary effect of large intestine damage, and can lead to death.

The small intestine is primarily involved in nutrient absorption and chemical digestion. The stomach is involved in mechanical digestion, and some chemical digestion. The liver produces bile, which can be secreted to emulsify fats.

Example Question #7 : Other Digestive Physiology

Which part of the large intestine rests along the posterior abdominal wall?

Possible Answers:

Transverse colon

Ascending colon

Rectum

Descending colon

Sigmoidal colon

Correct answer:

Transverse colon

Explanation:

The posterior abdominal wall is the location of many organs, one of which is the transverse colon. This part of the colon brings waste from one side of the body to the other, and hangs along the posterior wall in the abdominal cavity.

The colon consists of a few main parts. The ascending colon is the first region of the large intestine, connecting it to the small intestine. The ascending colon transitions into the transverse colon, which then becomes the descending colon. The descending colon transitions into the muscular sigmoidal colon, which terminates in the rectum.

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