Digestive System and Metabolism Practice Exam
1. The walls of the GI tract are composed of ______ layers of tissue.
A. two
B. three
C. four
D. five
2. All of the following are classified as accessory organs of the digestive system except:
A. tongue
B. mouth
C. liver
D. pancreas
3. Which of the following organs has a mucosa layer composed of stratified squamous epithelium that resists abrasion?
A. esophagus
B. stomach
C. small intestine
D. large intestine
4. The flap of tissue suspended from the midpoint of the posterior border of the soft palate is the:
A. fauces
B. frenulum
C. uvula
D. gingiva
5. The type of cell designed for absorption and secretion found throughout much of the GI tract is:
A. simple columnar epithelium
B. stratified squamous epithelium
C. simple squamous epithelium
D. pseudostratified epithelium
6. After leaving the stomach, food (chyme) enters the:
A. large intestine
B. small intestine
C. esophagus
D. rectum
7. An incision into the wall of the GI tract would cut, in order, from outside to inside:
A. mucosa, submucosa, muscularis, serosa
B. serosa, submucosa, muscularis, mucosa
C. serosa, muscularis, submucosa, mucosa
D. muscularis, submucosa, mucosa, serosa
8. Which of the following organs has a mucosal layer that is composed of columnar epithelium with a brush border of microvilli to enhance absorption?
A. esophagus
B. large intestine
C. small intestine
D. stomach
9. The more common term for deglutition is:
A. chewing
B. swallowing
C. mechanical digestion
D. vomiting
10. Which of the following salivary glands produces only a mucous type of saliva?
A. sublinguals
B. parotids
C. submandibulars
D. both a and b
11. Which of the following structures controls the opening of the stomach into the small intestine?
A. fundus
B. cardiac sphincter
C. pyloric sphincter
D. body
12. In the stomach, hydrochloric acid is secreted by the:
A. chief cells
B. parietal cells
C. lymph nodules
D. both a and b
13. Hydrochloric acid is released from cells in the:
A. stomach
B. pancreas
C. small intestine
D. large intestine
E. all of the above
14. The chief cells in the stomach secrete:
A. gastrin
B. mucus
C. intrinsic factor
D. digestive enzymes
15. Which of the following is not associated with the large intestine?
A. pyloric sphincter
B. cecum
C. appendix
D. transverse colon
16. The longest portion of the small intestine is the:
A. duodenum
B. ileum
C. jejunum
D. colon
17. The contents of the stomach are emptied into the:
A. duodenum
B. ileum
C. jejunum
D. cecum
18. Which of the following is not an anatomical part of the small intestine?
A. duodenum
B. cecum
C. ileum
D. jejunum
19. The part of the colon that lies in the vertical position, on the left side of the abdomen, extending from a point below the stomach and spleen to the level of the iliac crest is the:
A. ascending colon
B. transverse colon
C. descending colon
D. sigmoid colon
20. The proper anatomical order for the divisions of the colon is:
A. descending, transverse, sigmoid, ascending
B. ascending, transverse, sigmoid, descending
C. sigmoid, ascending, transverse, descending
D. ascending, transverse, descending, sigmoid
21. The brush border of the intestinal mucosa consists of:
A. hair cells
B. villi
C. cilia
D. microvilli
22. Which of the following is not associated with the large intestine?
A. cecum
B. sigmoid colon
C. vermiform appendix
D. pyloric sphincter
23. Phagocytic cells lining liver sinusoids are called:
A. chief cells
B. alpha cells
C. Kupffer cells
D. hepatic cells
24. Bile salts aid in the absorption of:
A. fats
B. proteins
C. carbohydrates
D. calcium, magnesium, and certain other minerals
25. The most essential part of bile is:
A. bile salts
B. bile pigments
C. cholesterol
D. bilirubin
26. Bile is secreted by:
A. parietal cells
B. crypts of Lieberkuhn
C. Kupffer cells
D. hepatic cells
27. Which of the following is not a lobe of the liver?
A. right lobe
B. medial lobe
C. left lobe
D. caudate lobe
E. quadrate lobe
28. Which of the following is not a function of the liver?
A. detoxification
B. secretion of insulin
C. storage of iron and vitamins
D. carbohydrate metabolism
29. Which of the following organs is classified as a dual gland (both exocrine and endocrine)?
A. gallbladder
B. liver
C. pancreas
D. both a and c
30. The function of the digestive system is to alter the chemical and physical composition of food so that it can be absorbed and used by body cells.
A. True
B. False
31. The alimentary canal has two openings to the exterior of the body.
A. True
B. False
32. The lining of the digestive system consists of three layers.
A. True
B. False
33. The pancreas is an essential organ of the digestive system.
A. True
B. False
34. After food is digested it enters the alimentary canal.
A. True
B. False
35. The walls of the stomach and the small intestine have three layers of muscle tissue.
A. True
B. False
36. The esophagus is anterior to the trachea.
A. True
B. False
37. The lesser curvature is on the upper right border of the stomach.
A. True
B. False
38. The pyloric sphincter is located in the fundus portion of the stomach.
A. True
B. False
39. The parietal cells secrete hydrochloric acid.
A. True
B. False
40. The chief cells, located in the stomach, secrete hydrochloric acid and are also thought to produce intrinsic factor.
A. True
B. False
41. The gastric glands in the small intestine secrete enzymes and hydrochloric acid.
A. True
B. False
42. The presence of villi and microvilli increase the surface area of the large intestine.
A. True
B. False
43. The vermiform appendix is a wormlike projection extending from the cecum.
A. True
B. False
44. Bile is released from the gallbladder into the stomach to aid in the digestive process.
A. True
B. False
45. Cholesterol is a component of bile.
A. True
B. False
46. Glucagon and insulin assist the GI tract in the digestive process.
A. True
B. False
47. Match the following descriptions with the salivary glands.
A. parotid glands
B. submandibular glands
C. sublingual glands
D. more than one of the above glands
_____ largest of the paired salivary glands
____ located in front and below the ears
_____ smallest of the salivary glands
_____ found below the angle of the lower jaw
_____ secretes enzymes but no mucus
_____ produces a mucous type of saliva
_____ produces both enzymes and mucus
48. Match the functions with the appropriate organ of the digestive system.
A. stomach
B. liver
C. gallbladder
D. pancreas
_____ concentrates bile five- to tenfold
_____ secretes intrinsic factor
_____ beta cells secrete insulin
_____ secretes about a pint of bile a day
_____ produces the hormone gastrin
_____ stores bile that enters by way of the hepatic and cystic ducts
_____ acinar units secrete digestive enzymes
_____carries on a limited amount of absorption of some water, alcohol, and
certain drugs
_____ cells in this organ store iron and vitamins A, B12 , and D
_____ cells of this organ detoxify various substances
49. List the tissue layers that make up the alimentary canal, beginning with the interior layer.
50. The pharynx functions in two systems. Name the systems.
51. What two structures are joined by the cardiac sphincter?
52. Where in the GI tract are villi and microvilli located? What purpose do they serve?
53. Ducts from two organs join to form the common bile duct. Name the organs and the ducts from each.
54. Liver cells detoxify substances. Explain what happens to the substances in the process of detoxification.
55. What is the function of the gallbladder?
56. The myenteric plexus is found in this layer of the GI wall.
A. mucosa
B. submucosa
C. muscularis
D. serosa
57. Which of the following statements is true?
A. The cystic duct and the pancreatic duct join to form the common bile duct
B. The common bile duct is formed by the cystic duct from the liver and the hepatic duct from the gallbladder
C. The pancreatic duct and the hepatic duct join to form the common bile duct
D. None of the above are true
58. Which of the following is not a division of the stomach?
A. rugae
B. body
C. pylorus
D. fundus
59. Which of the following is not a function of the liver?
A. detoxification of various substances in the blood
B. the production of glucagon
C. store iron
D. produce plasma proteins
60. Which of the following is not a function of the liver?
A. stores vitamin A
B. carries on numerous steps in the metabolism of fats, carbohydrates and proteins
C. secretes bile
D. stores bile
61. Which of the following is not a part of the large intestine?
A. transverse mesocolon
B. sigmoid colon
C. ascending colon
D. cecum
62. Which of the following is not a function of the stomach?
A. secretes gastric juices
B. secretes intrinsic factor
C. produces the hormone gastrin
D. begins deglutition
63. Both the chemical composition and the physical state need modification so food can be absorbed.
A. True
B. False
64. The submucosal plexus is a group of parasympathetic nerves found in the submucosa
A. True
B. False
65. The muscularis layer of the wall of the GI tract consists of a single layer of circular muscle.
A. True
B. False
66. One of the functions of the intrinsic factor of the stomach is to protect vitamin A from damage.
A. True
B. False
67. Goblet cells are mucus-secreting cells found in the crypts of the small intestine.
A. True
B. False
68. In the wall of the small intestine the longitudinal muscles are grouped into tape-like strips called haustra.
A. True
B. False
69. In the wall of the large intestine, the longitudinal muscles are grouped into tape-like strips called taeniae coli.
A. True
B. False
70. The peritoneum that covers the organs is called the visceral layer.
A. True
B. False
71. Give the complete definition of digestion.
72. Which of the following is not one of the openings that must be blocked when food moves from the pharynx into the esophagus?
A. oropharynx
B. nasopharynx
C. larynx
D. mouth
73. Which of the processes of mechanical digestion occur in the esophagus?
A. deglutition
B. peristalsis
C. churning
D. both a and b
74. Which step of deglutition is under voluntary control?
A. oral stage
B. pharyngeal stage
C. esophageal stage
75. The purpose of peristalsis is to:
A. break apart chunks of food and mix it in digestive juices
B. propel food forward along the GI tract
C. absorb food
D. enable swallowing
76. Polysaccharides are hydrolyzed to disaccharides by enzymes known as:
A. lipase
B. proteases
C. maltase
D. amylase
77. The final product of carbohydrate digestion is a:
A. disaccharide
B. monosaccharide
C. polysaccharide
D. fatty acid
78. The major final product that results from the digestion of carbohydrates is:
A. glucose
B. sucrose
C. lactose
D. maltose
79. The process of fat emulsification consists of:
A. chemically breaking down fat molecules
B. the secretion of digestive juices for fat digestion
C. absorption of fats
D. breaking fats into small droplets
80. The enzyme pepsin begins the digestion of:
A. carbohydrate
B. protein
C. fat
81. An end product of fat digestion is:
A. glycerol
B. glucose
C. glycogen
D. galactose
82. The hormone that stimulates the release of bicarbonate substance from the pancreas is:
A. enterogastrone
B. secretin
C. gastrin
D. cholecystokinin
83. The major site for the absorption of the end products of digestion is the:
A. stomach
B. small intestine
C. cecum
D. large intestine
84. The intestinal hormone, cholecystokinin:
A. causes the pancreas to increase exocrine secretions high in enzyme content
B. opposes the influence of gastrin on gastric parietal cells
C. stimulates the contraction of the gallbladder
D. all of the above
85. Bicarbonates are useful in the GI tract to:
A. neutralize hydrochloric acid
B. break down fats
C. activate secretin
D. activate pepsin
86. The hormone that stimulates the gallbladder to release bile is:
A. enterogastrone
B. secretin
C. enterocrinin
D. cholecystokinin-pancreozymin
87. The hormone thought to be a messenger causing release of digestive enzymes from the intestinal mucosa is:
A. vasoactive intestinal peptide
B. enterogastrone
C. secretin
D. cholecystokinin
88. Chylomicrons are formed for the transport of:
A. amino acids
B. fats
C. glucose
D. vitamins
89. Which blood vessel carries absorbed food from the GI tract to the liver?
A. hepatic artery
B. hepatic vein
C. portal vein
D. renal artery
90. The bolus of food is formed during the pharyngeal stage of deglutition.
A. True
B. False
91. Peristalsis is a back-and-forth action that breaks apart chunks of food and mixes in digestive juices.
A. True
B. False
92. Pepsin is inactive in the presence of hydrochloric acid.
A. True
B. False
93. Amino acids are the end products of protein digestion.
A. True
B. False
94. Bile catalyzes the breakdown of fats.
A. True
B. False
95. The stimulation of gastric juice secretion occurs in five phases controlled by reflex and chemical mechanisms.
A. True
B. False
96. Secretin causes the production of pancreatic fluid high in enzyme content but low in bicarbonate.
A. True
B. False
97. The enterogastric reflex stimulates gastric motility as food enters the duodenum.
A. True
B. False
98. Salivary glands are stimulated only by olfactory and visual stimuli.
A. True
B. False
99. The only food that can be digested by gastric juice is protein.
A. True
B. False
100. One of the functions of cholecystokinin is to enhance the influence of gastrin on gastric parietal cells.
A. True
B. False
101. Chylomicrons are composed mainly of neutral fats and some cholesterol covered by a delicate protein envelope.
A. Tru
B. False
102. Vitamins A, D, E, and K depend on bile salts for their absorption.
A. True
B. False
103. Match the primary mechanisms of the digestive system with their correct definitions.
A. motility
B. ingestion
C. elimination
D. secretion
E. digestion
F. absorption
_____release of digestive juices; release of endocrine hormones that
regulate digestion or metabolism of nutrients
_____excretion of the residues of the digestive process (feces) from the rectum,
through the anus; defecation
_____movement by the muscular components of the digestive tube,
including processes of mechanical digestion; examples include peristalsis and segmentation
_____movement of digested nutrients through the GI mucosa and into the
internal environment
_____a group of processes that break complex nutrients into simpler ones,
thus facilitating their absorption (includes both mechanical and chemical processes)
______food into the mouth, starting it on its journey through
the digestive tract
104. Match the phases of gastric secretion with the correct statement or definition.
A. cephalic phase
B. gastric phase
C. intestinal phase
_____phase of gastric secretion that responds to taste, smell, thoughts of food,
and sensations of chewing and swallowing
_____phase of gastric secretions that is controlled by the entrance of acidic
chyme into the duodenum
_____phase of gastric secretion that is initiated by the presence of food in
the stomach
105. Match the digestive juices and enzymes with the descriptions.
A. amylase
B. bile
C. lactase
D. maltase
E. pepsin
F. peptidase
G. sucrase
H. trypsin
_____ enzyme that works on starch
_____ converts maltose to glucose
_____ enzyme found in the mouth
_____ major enzyme in stomach associated with protein breakdown
_____ enzyme that works on milk sugars
_____ enzyme that works on cane sugars
_____ hydrochloric acid activates this enzyme
_____ pancreatic enzyme that works on proteins
_____enzyme from lining of small intestine that produces the end products of
amino acids
____ enzyme that works on malt sugars
_____ stimulates secretion of gastric juice rich in pepsin and hydrochloric acid
106. Match the digestive hormones with their actions.
A. secretin
B. cholecystokinin-pancreozymin (CCK)
C. gastrin
D. gastric inhibitory peptide (GIP)
_____inhibits gastric secretion; stimulates secretion of pancreatic juice low in enzymes and high in alkalinity; stimulates ejection of bile by the gallbladder
_____stimulates ejection of bile from the gallbladder and secretion of pancreatic
juice high in enzymes; opposes the action of gastrin, reducing the pH of gastric juice
_____ inhibits gastric secretion and motility
107. What are the three purposes of mechanical digestion?
108. What happens in the chemical process of hydrolysis?
109. What suffix is frequently used to denote an enzyme?