Nokea
During swallowing, what is the role of the epiglottis, a small flap of cartilage located near the base of the tongue?
- A. Initiates the swallowing reflex
- B. Grinds food into smaller pieces
- C. Covers the trachea to prevent food aspiration
- D. Stores saliva for lubrication
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The epiglottis plays a crucial role during swallowing by covering the trachea to prevent food or liquid from entering the airway, which could lead to aspiration. By acting as a lid over the trachea, it ensures that food passes down the esophagus to the stomach, preventing it from entering the lungs. Choice A is incorrect as the swallowing reflex is a coordinated muscular action involving the tongue and throat muscles. Choice B is incorrect as grinding food into smaller pieces is primarily the function of the teeth and the initial stages of digestion. Choice D is incorrect as the storage of saliva for lubrication is not a function of the epiglottis, but rather involves salivary glands.
You may also like to solve these questions
What is the process of converting ammonia, a byproduct of protein digestion, into a less toxic form?
- A. Deamination
- B. Transamination
- C. Decarboxylation
- D. Hydrolysis
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Deamination is the correct answer. It is the process of removing an amino group from a molecule, like converting ammonia (NH3) into a less toxic form such as urea. Ammonia, a byproduct of protein digestion, must be converted into a less toxic form for excretion. Deamination is a crucial step that mainly occurs in the liver through the urea cycle. Transamination involves transferring an amino group from one molecule to another, not removing it as in deamination. Decarboxylation is the removal of a carboxyl group from a molecule, and hydrolysis is the breakdown of a compound by adding water.
Which organ in the human body is the largest and is responsible for detoxification, metabolism, and storage of nutrients?
- A. Heart
- B. Liver
- C. Lungs
- D. Skin
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The liver is the largest internal organ in the human body and is responsible for detoxification, metabolism, storage of nutrients, and various other essential functions. It plays a critical role in maintaining overall health by processing nutrients, filtering blood, and detoxifying harmful substances. While the skin is the largest organ by surface area, the liver is the largest internal organ and is crucial for various physiological processes. The heart is responsible for pumping blood, the lungs for respiration, and the skin for protection and temperature regulation, but they do not perform the functions specified in the question.
Differentiate between the digestive and respiratory systems.
- A. Mouth
- B. Stomach
- C. Small intestine
- D. Lungs
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D - Lungs. The mouth, stomach, and small intestine are all components of the digestive system, which is responsible for breaking down food into nutrients that the body can absorb. On the other hand, the lungs are part of the respiratory system, which facilitates the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between the body and the environment through breathing. While the digestive system processes food for energy and nutrients, the respiratory system is primarily focused on the exchange of gases necessary for cellular respiration. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect as they are all organs associated with the digestive system and do not pertain to the respiratory system.
Which vitamin plays a crucial role in calcium absorption in the small intestine?
- A. Vitamin A
- B. Vitamin C
- C. Vitamin D
- D. Vitamin E
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is Vitamin D. Vitamin D plays a crucial role in calcium absorption in the small intestine by enhancing the absorption of calcium and phosphorus. This helps in regulating the levels of these minerals in the body, which are essential for maintaining healthy bones. Vitamin A (Choice A) is important for vision and immune function, but it is not directly related to calcium absorption. Vitamin C (Choice B) is primarily known for its role in collagen synthesis and antioxidant functions, not calcium absorption. Vitamin E (Choice D) acts as an antioxidant and is not directly involved in calcium absorption in the small intestine.
What is cystitis an inflammation of?
- A. Kidneys
- B. Bladder
- C. Ureters
- D. Urethra
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Cystitis is an inflammation of the bladder. It is typically caused by a bacterial infection and can lead to symptoms such as frequent urination, pain or burning during urination, and lower abdominal discomfort. The inflammation specifically affects the bladder lining. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect. Kidneys are not the site of inflammation in cystitis; they are associated with conditions like pyelonephritis. Ureters are tubes that connect the kidneys to the bladder, and the urethra is the tube that carries urine from the bladder to outside the body. Therefore, the correct answer is 'Bladder.'