Which condition may benefit from branched chain amino acids (leucine, isoleucine, and valine)?
- A. cancer-related malnutrition
- B. marasmus
- C. cardiovascular disease
- D. severe depression
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Branched chain amino acids, such as leucine, isoleucine, and valine, are essential in preventing muscle breakdown. Therefore, they may be particularly important for a patient with cancer-related malnutrition, where maintaining muscle mass is crucial. Marasmus is a severe form of malnutrition characterized by energy deficiency, not specifically related to cancer. Cardiovascular disease and severe depression do not have a direct correlation with the need for branched chain amino acids to prevent muscle breakdown.
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Pepsinogen secreted by the gastric cells is converted into pepsin by:
- A. enterokinase
- B. hydrochloric acid
- C. gastric lipase
- D. pancreatic lipase
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Pepsinogen is converted into its active form, pepsin, by hydrochloric acid in the stomach. Hydrochloric acid helps in unfolding the pepsinogen molecule to transform it into pepsin, which is crucial for protein digestion. Therefore, the correct answer is hydrochloric acid (choice B). Enterokinase (choice A) is an enzyme produced in the small intestine that activates trypsinogen into trypsin, not pepsinogen. Gastric lipase (choice C) is an enzyme that digests fats, not involved in converting pepsinogen to pepsin. Pancreatic lipase (choice D) is an enzyme produced by the pancreas that aids in breaking down fats in the small intestine, not part of the process of pepsin activation.
The type of protein-energy malnutrition that results in edema, hypoalbuminemia, skin lesions, and fatty liver is:
- A. cachexia.
- B. marasmus.
- C. kwashiorkor.
- D. sarcopenia.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C, kwashiorkor. Kwashiorkor is a type of protein-energy malnutrition characterized by edema, hypoalbuminemia, skin lesions, and fatty liver. Edema is a key feature of kwashiorkor due to hypoalbuminemia, which leads to decreased oncotic pressure. Marasmus (choice B) is a form of severe malnutrition characterized by energy deficiency without significant protein deficiency, resulting in severe wasting. Cachexia (choice A) is a syndrome characterized by weight loss, muscle atrophy, fatigue, weakness, and loss of appetite in someone who is not actively trying to lose weight. Sarcopenia (choice D) is the age-related loss of muscle mass and function.
An important characteristic of amino acids is that they can:
- A. act as buffers.
- B. facilitate glucose storage.
- C. regulate heartbeat.
- D. control the level of blood cholesterol.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: act as buffers. Amino acids can act as buffers by helping to maintain the pH balance in the body. Choice B is incorrect because amino acids do not primarily facilitate glucose storage. Choice C is incorrect as amino acids do not regulate the heartbeat. Choice D is also incorrect because amino acids do not control the level of blood cholesterol.
Which of the following plasma proteins helps maintain fluid balance?
- A. Albumin
- B. Fibrinogen
- C. Hemoglobin
- D. Collagen
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Albumin is the correct answer. It is a plasma protein that helps maintain osmotic pressure, thereby playing a vital role in regulating fluid balance in the body. Fibrinogen is involved in blood clotting, not fluid balance. Hemoglobin is responsible for oxygen transport in red blood cells, not fluid balance. Collagen is a structural protein found in connective tissues, not directly involved in fluid balance.
Which gastric enzyme present in infants coagulates milk?
- A. Casein.
- B. Pepsinogen.
- C. Trypsin.
- D. Rennin.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D, rennin. Rennin is the enzyme in infants responsible for coagulating milk, which aids in the digestion process. Choice A, casein, is a milk protein and not an enzyme. Choices B and C, pepsinogen and trypsin, are digestive enzymes but are not specifically involved in coagulating milk in infants.