CXC CXC - Caribbean Examinations Council Human and Social Biology: The Human Digestive System

Question 1

What is the role of amylase in digestion?

Accepted Answer

It breaks down starch into maltose

Answer

Amylase is a carbohydrase enzyme that catalyzes the breakdown of starch into the disaccharide maltose.

Question 2

Where does chemical digestion of food BEGIN in the human digestive system?

Accepted Answer

Mouth

Answer

Chemical digestion begins in the mouth, where salivary amylase starts breaking down starch while teeth perform mechanical digestion.

Question 3

Which organ produces bile and what is bile's function?

Accepted Answer

Liver; it emulsifies fats

Answer

The liver produces bile, which emulsifies large fat droplets into smaller ones, increasing the surface area for lipase to act on.

Question 4

What is the function of villi in the small intestine?

Accepted Answer

To increase the surface area for absorption of digested nutrients

Answer

Villi are finger-like projections lining the small intestine that greatly increase the surface area available for absorbing digested nutrients into the bloodstream.

Question 5

Which enzyme found in the stomach breaks down proteins?

Accepted Answer

Pepsin

Answer

Pepsin is a protease enzyme secreted in the stomach that breaks peptide bonds in proteins, producing smaller polypeptide chains.

CXC - Caribbean Examinations Council Practice Test

CXC - Caribbean Examinations Council Practice Test

CXC CXC - Caribbean Examinations Council Human and Social Biology: The Human Digestive System