true or false questions with answers related to gastrointestinal tract physiology:

1. True or False: The stomach is responsible for the absorption of most nutrients from food.
Answer: False. While the stomach does play a role in breaking down food, most nutrient
absorption occurs in the small intestine.

2. True or False: The lower esophageal sphincter (LES) is responsible for preventing stomach acid
from flowing back up into the esophagus. Answer: True. The LES is a circular muscle that
separates the esophagus from the stomach and helps prevent acid reflux.

3. True or False: The pancreas produces enzymes that aid in the digestion of carbohydrates,
proteins, and fats. Answer: True. The pancreas produces pancreatic enzymes that help break
down these macronutrients in the small intestine.

4. True or False: The large intestine absorbs the majority of water and electrolytes from
undigested food. Answer: True. The large intestine plays a crucial role in maintaining fluid and
electrolyte balance in the body by absorbing most of the water and electrolytes from undigested
food.

5. True or False: The parietal cells in the stomach produce bicarbonate ions to neutralize stomach
acid. Answer: False. Parietal cells produce hydrochloric acid, while the pancreas and duodenal
mucosa produce bicarbonate ions to neutralize stomach acid in the small intestine.

6. True or False: The migrating motor complex (MMC) is responsible for cleaning out residual food
particles from the small intestine. Answer: True. The MMC is a cyclical pattern of contractions
that occurs during fasting periods and helps move residual food particles and bacteria from the
small intestine into the large intestine for elimination.

7. True or False: The ileocecal valve separates the small intestine from the large intestine. Answer:
True. The ileocecal valve is a sphincter muscle that separates the ileum of the small intestine
from the cecum of the large intestine.

8. True or False: The gallbladder stores bile produced by the liver and releases it into the small
intestine to aid in the digestion of fats. Answer: True. The gallbladder acts as a reservoir for bile
produced by the liver and releases it into the small intestine in response to the presence of fats.

9. True or False: The enteric nervous system (ENS) is sometimes referred to as the "second brain"
due to its complex network of neurons and its ability to function independently of the central
nervous system. Answer: True. The ENS is a complex network of neurons that is capable of
regulating various aspects of gastrointestinal function independently of the central nervous
system.

10. True or False: The pyloric sphincter is responsible for preventing the backflow of food from the
small intestine into the stomach. Answer: True. The pyloric sphincter is a muscular valve that
separates the stomach from the small intestine and helps regulate the flow of food between the
two.

11. True or False: The stomach is responsible for most of the absorption of nutrients in the
gastrointestinal tract.
 False. The stomach is responsible for only a small portion of nutrient absorption. The majority of
nutrient absorption occurs in the small intestine.

12. True or False: Salivary amylase breaks down complex carbohydrates into simple sugars.

True. Salivary amylase is an enzyme in saliva that begins the process of carbohydrate digestion.

13. True or False: Gastric acid secretion is stimulated by the release of histamine and acetylcholine.

True. Histamine and acetylcholine are two of the main substances that stimulate the secretion
of gastric acid in the stomach.

14. True or False: The large intestine is responsible for the absorption of most of the water in the
gastrointestinal tract.

True. The large intestine is the primary site of water absorption in the gastrointestinal tract.

15. True or False: The hormone secretin is released in response to the presence of fat in the small
intestine.

False. Secretin is primarily released in response to the presence of acid in the small intestine. It
stimulates the pancreas to release bicarbonate, which helps neutralize the acid.

16. True or False: The enteric nervous system is a network of neurons that controls the functions of
the gastrointestinal tract.

True. The enteric nervous system is a complex network of neurons that controls the motility and
secretory functions of the gastrointestinal tract.

17. True or False: The pyloric sphincter separates the stomach from the small intestine.

True. The pyloric sphincter is a muscular ring that separates the stomach from the small
intestine.

18. True or False: The hormone cholecystokinin (CCK) stimulates the release of bile from the
gallbladder.

True. CCK is a hormone that is released in response to the presence of fat in the small intestine.
It stimulates the release of bile from the gallbladder to aid in fat digestion.

19. True or False: The brush border enzymes are secreted by the pancreas.

False. The brush border enzymes are located on the surface of the epithelial cells in the small
intestine. They play a role in the final stages of nutrient digestion and absorption.

20. True or False: Peristalsis is a type of muscular contraction that moves food through the
gastrointestinal tract.

True. Peristalsis is a rhythmic contraction of the smooth muscle in the walls of the
gastrointestinal tract that helps move food along.

Hint: Peristalsis occurs in both the esophagus and the intestines.

False. Gastrin is primarily released in response to the presence of food in the stomach. It
stimulates the secretion of gastric acid.

22. True or False: The ileocecal valve separates the small intestine from the large intestine.

True. The ileocecal valve is a muscular sphincter that separates the ileum of the small intestine
from the cecum of the large intestine.

23. True or False: The hormone motilin stimulates the contractions of the small intestine.

True. Motilin is a hormone that is released in response to fasting. It stimulates the migrating
motor complex, a series of contractions that help move food through the small intestine.

24. True or False: The hormone ghrelin is released in response to the presence of food in the
stomach.

False. Ghrelin is primarily released in response to fasting. It stimulates hunger and food intake.

25. True or False: The colon is responsible for the majority of nutrient absorption in the
gastrointestinal tract.

False

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1. The majority of nutrient absorption occurs in the small intestine. (True)

2. The stomach produces digestive enzymes that break down carbohydrates. (False - the stomach
primarily produces enzymes that break down proteins)

3. The pancreas secretes insulin to regulate blood glucose levels. (True)

4. The colon absorbs significant amounts of water and electrolytes. (True)

5. The small intestine is approximately 20 feet long in adults. (True)

6. The liver produces bile that aids in fat digestion. (True)

7. The stomach secretes hydrochloric acid to help break down food. (True)

8. The esophagus is responsible for absorbing nutrients from food. (False - the esophagus only
transports food to the stomach)

9. The intestinal villi are responsible for absorbing nutrients from food. (True)

10. The gallbladder produces digestive enzymes that aid in fat digestion. (False - the gallbladder
stores and releases bile produced by the liver)

11. The large intestine is divided into four sections: the cecum, colon, rectum, and anus. (True)
12. The ileum is the last segment of the small intestine and connects to the colon. (False - the ileum
connects to the cecum, which is the first segment of the large intestine)

13. The pyloric sphincter separates the stomach from the small intestine. (True)

14. The mucosa is the innermost layer of the gastrointestinal tract. (True)

15. The jejunum is the longest segment of the small intestine. (False - the jejunum is the middle
segment of the small intestine, while the ileum is the longest segment)

16. The appendix plays a crucial role in digestive processes. (False - the appendix does not have a
known function in digestion)

17. The colon is responsible for producing digestive enzymes that break down proteins. (False - the
colon primarily absorbs water and electrolytes)

18. Peristalsis is the process of moving food through the digestive tract. (True)

19. Gastric emptying is slowed down by the presence of fats and proteins in the stomach. (True)

20. The rectum is responsible for absorbing water and electrolytes from digested food. (False - the
rectum stores feces until they are eliminated from the body)