Browse all practice questions for the Leaving Certificate Digestion Practice Test. Search by topic, open any question and review its full explanation, then test yourself in the practice quiz.

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  • Most absorption occurs in which part of the digestive system, which features villi?
  • Brush border enzymes are enzymes on microvilli; which two examples are correct?
  • A term for an animal that eats both plants and animals is called what?
  • Give one digestive function and one non-digestive function of the pancreas.
  • From what part of the digestive system does digested food enter the blood?
  • What is enterohepatic circulation?
  • Premolars and molars are primarily used for which function?
  • Which organ stores bile?
  • Which of the following is a function of the liver other than the manufacture of bile?
  • What are the primary monosaccharides absorbed by the small intestine?
  • Which organ is supplied with oxygenated blood by the hepatic artery?
  • What structures greatly increase surface area for absorption in the small intestine?
  • Amylase is an enzyme. Name one part of the digestive system where amylase is produced.
  • Which part of the digestive system is primarily responsible for absorbing nutrients?
  • Which action is a typical example of mechanical digestion?
  • What type of food is mainly absorbed into the lacteal of the villi?
  • Which sequence correctly lists the major sections of the human digestive tract from entry to exit?
  • Which organ primarily detoxifies absorbed substances before they reach the bloodstream?
  • Fat is broken down by X into Fatty Acids and Y. Identify X and Y.
  • Which organ stores bile?
  • Name two glands that pass their secretions into the small intestine.
  • What hormone primarily triggers gallbladder contraction and bile release into the duodenum?
  • Which nutrient absorption is aided by bile's emulsification of fats?
  • Which transporter primarily mediates glucose uptake into enterocytes?
  • State one reason why a low pH is important in the stomach.
  • What is the pH of the stomach contents?
  • Which organ manufactures bile?
  • Which enzyme digests proteins?
  • Name two protective mechanisms of the stomach against self-digestion.
  • Which of the following is true about gastric acid?
  • Which enzyme is active in the stomach and what is its primary substrate?
  • Where is bile stored?
  • What is meant by egestion?
  • Which enzyme breaks fats into fatty acids?
  • A diet which contains all the food types in the correct or suitable or optimum proportions is known as a ...
  • In humans, heterotrophic means which of the following?
  • Which statement best describes the path of absorbed fats from digestion to the bloodstream?
  • How do the products of digestion pass into the blood?
  • Which substance secreted by the stomach helps protect the stomach lining?
  • Fructose exits the enterocyte on the basolateral membrane via which transporter?
  • One function of symbiotic bacteria in the human digestive system is to:
  • State one role of the pancreas in digestion.
  • What is mechanical digestion?
  • In which part of the digestive tract does vitamin B12 absorption occur due to intrinsic factor?
  • Which tooth is primarily used for tearing?
  • Name an enzyme involved in fat digestion.
  • What name is given to the chemicals produced by the liver and stored in the gall bladder, which emulsify fats to fat droplets?
  • Where does the partially digested food go after leaving the stomach?
  • Explain the difference between mechanical and chemical digestion and provide an example.
  • Which organ stores bile?
  • Give another function of bile, other than emulsifying fats, in relation to digestion.
  • Rennin in infants digests which substance?
  • Which feature best protects the small intestine from autodigestion by its own enzymes?
  • What is the role of the ileocecal valve?
  • What is the major difference between absorption pathways of carbohydrates and proteins versus fats?
  • Beyond bile production, what key functions does the liver perform in digestion?
  • Which term correctly describes the process of moving digestion products into the bloodstream?
  • Which organ stores and concentrates bile?
  • Which arrangement lists the segments that comprise the small intestine?
  • Which statement about salivary amylase is true?
  • What is emulsification and why is it necessary for lipid digestion?
  • Which of the following is an adaptation of the villi that aids absorption?
  • Where is the enzyme lipase secreted?
  • Which part of the digestive system is primarily responsible for water and electrolyte absorption?
  • Which organ produces bile used in fat digestion?
  • What is the role of gastrin and where is it produced?
  • What mechanism allows water absorption in the colon?
  • Which statement about small intestine protection against autodigestion is NOT accurate?
  • Amylase is an enzyme found in saliva. What is its substrate and product?
  • In which part of the digestive system is water primarily absorbed?
  • What is the function of the pyloric sphincter?
  • Through which vessel do chylomicrons ultimately enter the bloodstream?
  • Which enzyme is most active in the stomach?
  • The passage of digestion products from the intestine to the blood is called which process?
  • Urea is formed in which organ?
  • Which vessel carries nutrient-rich blood from the gut to the liver?
  • What are symbiotic bacteria?
  • Which of the following is NOT one of the primary monosaccharides absorbed by the small intestine?
  • What is chemical digestion?
  • Where are iron and folate primarily absorbed in the GI tract?
  • Fructose absorption into enterocytes uses which apical transporter?
  • Which action is a typical example of chemical digestion?
  • Which hormone stimulates bile release and pancreatic enzyme secretion in response to fat in the duodenum?
  • Name the blood vessel that joins the small intestine to the liver.
  • State one way the ileum is adapted for absorption.
  • Name a substance transported to the liver by the blood in the hepatic portal vein.
  • Rennin's primary function is to curdle milk in the stomach of infants.
  • Which organ secretes sodium bicarbonate to help neutralize stomach acid in the digestive tract?
  • In the grassland chain Grass → Rabbit → Fox, which organism is a primary consumer?
  • Where do the products of digestion enter the blood?
  • Name the enzymes released by the pancreas that digest proteins, carbohydrates, and fats.
  • Lactose intolerance is caused by a deficiency of which enzyme?
  • What is the role of bile salts in fat digestion?
  • What is amylase?
  • The condition of being extremely overweight due to overeating is called what?
  • What triggers pancreatic bicarbonate secretion and what is its effect on pH?
  • Name a site of amylase action.
  • Which vitamin requires intrinsic factor for absorption, and where does absorption occur?
  • Which statement about bile is true?
  • What are the products of fat digestion?
  • The process of taking food into the body through the mouth is known as ...
  • From which part of the digestive system does egestion occur?
  • Which organ produces bile?
  • What is the approximate pH value in the mouth, duodenum, ileum and small intestine?
  • Which statement about peristalsis is true?
  • How are vitamins B12 and folate absorbed differently?
  • Which region is primarily involved in bile acid reabsorption and vitamin B12 absorption?
  • Which region of the small intestine is primarily responsible for chemical digestion and mixing?
  • What describes the function of brush border enzymes?
  • Which substance is transported to the liver by the hepatic portal vein along with nutrients?
  • Which digestive juice is produced by the pancreas and what does it neutralize?
  • Which basolateral transporter is used for fructose exit from enterocytes?
  • What is the role of the esophageal sphincters in digestion?
  • The role of bile in fat digestion is to perform which primary function?
  • Which enzyme is primarily involved in fat digestion?
  • Why are pancreatic proteases secreted as inactive zymogens?
  • Which structure in the small intestine increases surface area for absorption?
  • Proteins are digested to simpler substances. What are these simpler substances called?
  • State the pH nature of the contents of the stomach and the small intestine.
  • Explain the term omnivorous.
  • True or False: The liver produces bile.
  • Which region is the site for absorption of the intrinsic factor–vitamin B12 complex?
  • Increasing wholegrain foods in the diet primarily helps by what mechanism?
  • What is a protease enzyme?
  • Name the small finger-like projections that increase surface area for absorption in the small intestine.
  • What is the function of pepsin and what triggers its activation?
  • Which region is the major site of nutrient absorption?
  • Where in the human alimentary canal is most water absorbed?
  • Which particles transport dietary fats from enterocytes into the lymphatic system?
  • Name an organ for churning food to chyme.
  • Which enzyme digests proteins in the stomach?
  • Which section of the small intestine is most efficient at nutrient absorption?
  • Through which lymphatic structure are chylomicrons transported away from the intestinal mucosa?
  • Through which transporter is glucose absorbed in the small intestine?
  • The hepatic portal vein carries blood from the alimentary canal to the …
  • Rennin is primarily important for digesting which in infants?
  • Where is the liver located in relation to the stomach?
  • State one role of the gall bladder in digestion.
  • What is the inactive form of the digestion enzyme pepsin?
  • Which cells in the stomach secrete acid and which secrete mucus?
  • Which term best describes an organism that relies on consuming other organisms for its food?
  • Name the part(s) of the digestive system in which the products of digestion are absorbed into the blood.
  • Why is fibre important for digestion?
  • Which layer of the intestinal wall contains enterocytes with microvilli?
  • Name the blood vessel that brings oxygenated blood to the liver.
  • How does the structure of the intestinal villus support absorption?
  • Where does bile act in the alimentary canal?
  • Which of the following is the substrate for salivary amylase?
  • Why is digestion necessary?
  • Why is gastric acid important for digestion?
  • How are the portal vein and hepatic portal system related to digestion?
  • Which statement describes the absorption pathways for carbohydrates, proteins, and fats?
  • Pepsinogen is released into the stomach in which form?
  • Which statement correctly describes the function of incisors in the dental formula?
  • What is the role of bile in fat digestion?
  • Which of the following is a storage function of the liver?
  • What is the role of lacteals in the intestinal villus?
  • Give one digestive function of the liver.
  • Which component of gastric juice activates pepsinogen to pepsin?
  • Lacteals are part of the villi and are responsible for which process?
  • Which enzyme digests fats?
  • Pepsinogen is produced by which cells of the stomach?
  • What is meant by digestion?
  • Which of the following is NOT a major pancreatic digestive enzyme?
  • How is the pH of chyme adjusted as it enters the duodenum?
  • Name a structure in the human digestive system, other than teeth, which is involved in mechanical digestion.
  • The first section of the small intestine is the ...
  • Which part of the small intestine is primarily responsible for folate absorption?
  • Which pancreatic enzyme specifically digests fats?
  • Which organ neutralises chyme by releasing bicarbonate into the small intestine?
  • What is required for vitamin B12 absorption in the ileum?
  • What acid is produced in the stomach?
  • What is the process called where food is moved through the intestines by waves of rhythmic involuntary muscle contractions?
  • The stomach releases an acid. Name that acid.
  • Where are chylomicrons formed, and how do they reach the bloodstream?
  • Which component of gastric juice is primarily responsible for creating the acidic environment in the stomach?
  • What happens to absorbed amino acids and glucose after crossing enterocytes into the portal blood?
  • Which hormone inhibits gastric acid secretion and stimulates insulin release in response to glucose?
  • Where are brush border enzymes located and what is their general function?
  • Constipation may result from reabsorbing too much of which liquid into the bloodstream?
  • State one digestive function of the pancreas.
  • Which hormone stimulates pancreatic bicarbonate secretion and slows gastric emptying?
  • A substance produced in the stomach that is responsible for heartburn is:
  • Which hormone stimulates bicarbonate release from the pancreas?
  • Which site is the primary site for folate absorption?
  • Urea is formed in which organ?
  • Where is bile produced?
  • What are the products of fat digestion?
  • Which organ produces bile and for what purpose in digestion?
  • What is the role of intrinsic factor in digestion?
  • What are the major digestive enzymes produced by the pancreas and their substrates?
  • Where is pepsin produced?
  • From the grassland food chain Grass → Rabbit → Fox, name a herbivore.
  • State a role of beneficial bacteria in the alimentary canal.
  • Name a structure involved in mechanical digestion besides teeth.
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