Human Anatomy and Physiology : Help with Mouth, Pharynx, and Esophagus Physiology
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Example Questions
Example Question #1 : Digestive Physiology
Which macromolecule can begin digestion in the mouth?
Nucleotides
Triglycerides
Proteins
Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates
Saliva contains the enzyme alpha amylase. This enzyme is responsible for breaking down starch and carbohydrates into smaller polysaccharide chains.
Later, in the small intestine, pancreatic beta amylase further digests the carbohydrates until they can be absorbed into the blood. Most chemical digestion occurs in the small intestine, where enzymes to digest proteins, lipids, and carbohydrates are introduced to the digestive tract.
Example Question #1 : Digestive Physiology
Which of the following is the start of the gastrointestinal tract?
Stomach
Pharynx
Mouth
Esophagus
Mouth
The mouth is the start of the gastrointestinal tract. It is the site of both mechanical and chemical digestion via chewing, and saliva, respectively. Saliva contains the enzyme amylase that breaks down carbohydrates.
Example Question #2 : Digestive Physiology
In which part of the digestive system does carbohydrate digestion begin?
Esophagus
Small intestine
Pharynx
Stomach
Mouth
Mouth
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 #3 : Digestive Physiology
Which of the following extrinsic muscles of the tongue is responsible for depression and protrusion?
Palatoglossus
Hyoglossus
Vertical muscle
Genioglossus
Styloglossus
Genioglossus
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"?
Swallowing
Voiding
Chewing
Urinating
Swallowing
"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?
glucose
lipids
polysaccharides
proteins
proteins
Proteins need pepsin in order to begin digestion, and that enzyme is only produced in the stomach — not the mouth.
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