Digestion Review

1. Which types of enzyme are found in the human digestive system?

I. Amylases

II. Proteases

III. Lipases

A. I and II only C. II and III only

B. I and III only D. I, II and III (Total 1 mark)

(D)

2. What does the digestion of starch by amylase produce?

I. Maltose

II. Maltotrios

III. Dextrin

A. I and II only C. II and III only

B. I and III only D. I, II, and III

(Total 1 mark)

          (D)

3. Which of the following structures increase the surface area for absorption of digested food in the small
intestine?

I. MicrovilliII. Protein pumpsIII. Villi

A. I only

B. I and III only

C. II and III only

D. I, II and III

(B)
(Total 1 mark)

4. Where is the gall bladder located?

A. Surrounded by the liver C. Behind the intestines in the abdomen

B. Surrounded by the pancreas D. Below the stomach in the abdomen

(A)

(Total 1 mark)

5. Why is most food digested?

 A. Digestive enzymes require a variety of substrates.

B. It ensures that the diet is balanced.

C. Most ingested food molecules are large.

D. To prevent disorders of the intestine.

(C)
(Total 1 mark)

6. (a) Define the term absorption.

(1)

absorption is taking up of a substance by the skin / mucous membranes /

digestive tract / cell membranes / layers of cells / the bloodstream;
(b) Figure 1 below shows a cross-section through the small intestine and Figure 2 an enlarged
longitudinal section through a single villus.

Label the layers of the small intestines below:

Figure 1 Figure 2

[Source: adapted from M Roberts et al., [Source: adapted from Taylor et al.,Advanced Biology, Nelson,
2000, page 185] Biological Science 1 Cambridge University Press, 1997, page
244]

Using these diagrams, outline three ways in which the structure of the small intestine is related to
its function of absorbing food.

villus intestinal wall has many folds to increase surface area ( : volume ratio);surface of villus close
to blood vessels so materials can easily diffuse;surface of villus close to lymph vessels so
lipids can be easily absorbed;greater surface area related to greater rate of diffusion;villus
wall consists of single layer of cells; Do not accept microvilli for this question    – not
visible in diagrams * but is acceptable answer.                                                                                         
(3 marks)

7.

Enzymes of digestion in humans are secreted by glands.      They have a pH optimum which allows them
to work efficiently in the part of the gut into which they are secreted.

(i) In the table below, identify the missing enzyme, the two glands, and the pH optimum

Name ofenzyme Gland secretingthe Substrate Products

enzyme

amylase pancreas starch maltose

Lipase pancreas triglycerides fatty acids and

glycerol
(4)
8. (a) Identify the parts of the human digestive system indicated below.

(2)

I:liver;
II:stomach;
III:pancreas;
      IV: large intestine / (descending) colon;

(b) Explain how three structures of the villus are related to the role of the villus in absorption.

microvilli increase surface area of absorption;epithelium / one layer of cells provides a thin layer to
enhance absorption / small distance for diffusion;
protein channels (in membrane of microvilli) allow facilitated diffusion;
mitochondria (for energy) present for active transport;
blood capillaries close to epithelium / surface membrane reduce distance / increase speed for
diffusion;
blood capillaries carry away glucose / amino acids / nutrients;
          lacteal carry away fats / fatty acids / glycerol;

(3)
(Total 9 marks)
(1)

(b) Outline the need for enzymatic hydrolysis in the digestive process.

large molecules cannot be absorbed;

mechanical digestion only to break down food physically;
enzymes breakdown large molecules into smaller ones (that can be absorbed);
need several enzymes as they are substrate specific;
enzymes speed up the rate of digestion considerably;
higher speeds at low / normal body temperature;
named example of enzyme;

example of named enzyme’s action

(5)

11. Explain the mechanisms used by the small intestines to absorb glucose and lipids.

microvilli increase the surface of the plasma membrane exposed to the digested food;increased surface
area allows for increased absorption of foods (by diffusion);

lipids are emulsified by bile salts;

Lipase partially digests triglycerides into fatty acids and monoglyceridesfatty acids and monoglycerides
are absorbed by simple diffusion;
monoglycerides and fatty acid chain recombine to form triglycerides/ combine with cholesterol and
phospolipods;
transport vesicles    are coated with proteins;
leave the epithelial cell by exocytosis;
transported by the lacteal                        (3 max)

glucose requires a low Na concentration inside epithelial cell of villus/ created by active transport by
sodium potassium pump.
glucose is co-transported with Na into the epithelial cell through membrane proteins;
glucose leaves the cell by facilitated transport trough a glucose transport protein;
glucose diffuses into the capillaries      (3 max)
(Total 6 marks)