All MCAT Biology Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #72 : Digestive System
Calcium (Ca2+) levels are least directly involved in which of the following process?
Bone formation
Signal transduction
Muscle contraction
Biotin and vitamin K production
Biotin and vitamin K production
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?
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
Increase the volume of water entering the gut
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?
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.
Vitamins A, D, E, and K are fat-soluble. Vitamins B and C are water-soluble.
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?
Disaccharides
Triglycerides
Monosaccharides
Nucleotide monomers
Amino acids
Triglycerides
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?
Ileum
Jejunum
Duodenum
Large intestine
Large intestine
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 __________.
water and salts
only salts
only nutrients
only water
water and salts
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?
Secrete water
Absorb proteins and vitamins
Absorb fatty acids
Reabsorb salt and water
Reabsorb salt and water
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?
Stomach
Large intestine
Small intestine
Liver
Large intestine
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?
Transverse colon
Ascending colon
Rectum
Descending colon
Sigmoidal colon
Transverse colon
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.
Example Question #8 : Other Digestive Physiology
Which part of the colon moves digested food in the vertical direction?
Sigmoidal colon
Descending colon
Transverse colon
Ascending colon
Appendigial colon
Ascending colon
The colon consists of a few main parts, including the ascending colon. 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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