Which of these is involved in the chemical digestion of protein?

A. pancreatic amylase

B. trypsin

C. sucrase

D. pancreatic nuclease

Answer Explanation:

b) trypsin

- Correct: Trypsin is an enzyme involved in the chemical digestion of protein. It is secreted as trypsinogen by the pancreas and activated to its active form, trypsin, by enterokinase in the duodenum. Trypsin breaks down proteins into smaller peptides by cleaving peptide bonds between specific amino acids.

a) pancreatic amylase

- Incorrect: Pancreatic amylase is an enzyme involved in the digestion of carbohydrates (starches). It breaks down starch molecules into maltose and other simpler sugars.

c) sucrase

- Incorrect: Sucrase is an enzyme involved in the digestion of disaccharide sugars, specifically sucrose. It catalyzes the hydrolysis of sucrose into its constituent monosaccharides, glucose, and fructose.

d) pancreatic nuclease

- Incorrect: Pancreatic nuclease is an enzyme involved in the digestion of nucleic acids (DNA and RNA). It breaks down nucleic acid molecules into their component nucleotides.

Therefore, the Correct Answer is B.

Q #1: Where does the chemical digestion of starch begin?

A. mouth

B. esophagus

C. stomach

D. small intestine

Answer Explanation

a) mouth

- Correct: The chemical digestion of starch begins in the mouth. Salivary amylase, an enzyme secreted by the salivary glands, initiates the breakdown of starch molecules into maltose and other smaller carbohydrate molecules. This process begins as soon as food enters the mouth and continues as it is mixed with saliva during chewing and swallowing.

b) esophagus

- Incorrect: The esophagus is not directly involved in the chemical digestion of starch. It serves primarily as a conduit for the passage of food from the mouth to the stomach via peristaltic contractions.

c) stomach

- Incorrect: While some minor digestion may occur in the stomach due to the presence of salivary amylase from swallowed saliva, the stomach is not the primary site of starch digestion. Its acidic environment inhibits the activity of salivary amylase, so significant starch digestion does not occur there.

d) small intestine

- Incorrect: Starch digestion continues in the small intestine, primarily in the duodenum, but it does not begin there. Enzymes such as pancreatic amylase and brush border enzymes further break down starch into simpler sugars in the small intestine.
Q #2: Which of these cells secrete hormones?

A. parietal cells

B. mucous neck cells

C. enteroendocrine cells

D. chief cells

Answer Explanation

c) enteroendocrine cells

- Correct: Enteroendocrine cells are specialized cells located in the epithelium of the gastrointestinal tract that secrete hormones. These hormones play various roles in the regulation of digestion, nutrient absorption, and other physiological processes. Examples of hormones secreted by enteroendocrine cells include gastrin, secretin, cholecystokinin (CCK), and ghrelin.

a) parietal cells

- Incorrect: Parietal cells are found in the gastric glands of the stomach and secrete hydrochloric acid (HCl) and intrinsic factor, but they do not secrete hormones.

b) mucous neck cells

- Incorrect: Mucous neck cells are found in the gastric glands of the stomach and secrete mucus, which helps protect the stomach lining from the acidic environment, but they do not secrete hormones.

d) chief cells

- Incorrect: Chief cells are found in the gastric glands of the stomach and secrete pepsinogen, the precursor to the enzyme pepsin, which plays a role in protein digestion. Chief cells do not secrete hormones.
Q #3: Which is a function of the liver in human adults?

A. manufacturing red blood cells

B. producing chemical compounds known as auxins

C. storing the carbohydrate reserve glycogen

D. synthesizing the hormone insulin

Answer Explanation

C) storing the carbohydrate reserve glycogen

- Correct: One of the functions of the liver in human adults is storing the carbohydrate reserve glycogen. Glycogen is a polysaccharide that serves as a storage form of glucose in the body. When blood glucose levels are high, such as after a meal, the liver takes up excess glucose and converts it into glycogen for storage. When blood glucose levels drop, such as between meals or during fasting, the liver breaks down glycogen and releases glucose into the bloodstream to maintain blood sugar levels within a normal range.

A) manufacturing red blood cells

- Incorrect: The primary site of red blood cell production (erythropoiesis) in adults is the bone marrow, not the liver. While the liver is involved in the production of blood proteins and components, such as albumin, clotting factors, and plasma proteins, it is not responsible for manufacturing red blood cells.

B) producing chemical compounds known as auxins

- Incorrect: Auxins are a class of plant hormones involved in various physiological processes, such as cell elongation, apical dominance, and root development. They are not produced by the liver in human adults.

D) synthesizing the hormone insulin

- Incorrect: Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas, not the liver. Insulin plays a crucial role in regulating blood sugar levels by facilitating the uptake of glucose into cells for energy production or storage. While the liver responds to insulin by regulating glucose metabolism and storage, it does not synthesize insulin itself.

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Which of these is involved in the chemical digestion of protein?

More Questions on TEAS 7 Science

Q #1: Where does the chemical digestion of starch begin?

Answer Explanation

Q #2: Which of these cells secrete hormones?

Answer Explanation

Q #3: Which is a function of the liver in human adults?

Answer Explanation

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