Question 1
How does the structure of the intestinal villus support absorption?
Correct Answer:
Villi and microvilli increase surface area; rich capillary network and lacteals; brush border enzymes present
Explanation:
The main idea is that absorption is boosted by structure that both increases contact with nutrients and provides efficient pathways away from the gut lumen. The intestinal villus, with its many tiny projections called microvilli, greatly enlarges the surface area available for nutrient uptake. Inside each villus is a rich capillary network to carry sugars and amino acids into the bloodstream, plus a lacteal lymphatic vessel to transport absorbed fats. The brush border enzymes on the microvilli finish digestion right at the site, so nutrients are ready for transport immediately. That combination—more surface area, vessels for circulation and lymphatic transport, and enzymes right at the border—explains why this structure supports efficient absorption. The other ideas don’t fit: decreasing surface area would slow absorption, lacking brush border enzymes isn’t true, and villi aren’t located in the stomach.
Question 2
Pepsinogen is released into the stomach in which form?
Correct Answer:
Inactive precursor
Explanation:
Many digestive enzymes are secreted as inactive precursors to prevent damage to the tissues that produce them. Pepsinogen is such a precursor released by the stomach’s chief cells. In the acidic environment of the stomach, pepsinogen is activated to pepsin by proteolytic cleavage that removes a small activation segment, revealing the active site. Once activated, pepsin begins breaking down proteins in the stomach. This activation is favored by low pH and can be amplified by pepsin’s own activity in a feedback fashion. If pepsinogen were released in its active form, it could start digesting the stomach lining and other proteins too early, which is why the inactive precursor form is used. The other options don’t fit because pepsinogen is not released as digested protein, a free fatty acid, or an active enzyme.
Question 3
Which term correctly describes the process of moving digestion products into the bloodstream?
Correct Answer:
Absorption
Explanation:
Absorption is the process by which nutrients produced by digestion cross the lining of the gut into the bloodstream (and, for fats, into the lymphatic system before joining the blood). In the small intestine, the villi provide a large surface area so nutrients like glucose, amino acids, vitamins, and minerals can cross into capillaries by diffusion or active transport. Fats are mainly absorbed as part of chylomicrons into the lymph, then eventually reach the bloodstream. Ingestion is simply taking food into the mouth, digestion is the breakdown of food into smaller molecules, and egestion is the removal of indigestible waste from the body.
Question 4
Fructose absorption into enterocytes uses which apical transporter?
Correct Answer:
GLUT5
Explanation:
Fructose is taken up from the intestinal lumen into the enterocyte by GLUT5 on the apical membrane. GLUT5 is a facilitated-diffusion transporter that specifically handles fructose, moving it along its concentration gradient into the cell. This differs from glucose and galactose, which enter via SGLT1 on the apical surface using a sodium co-transport mechanism. GLUT1 is a general glucose transporter found in many tissues, not the main apical route for intestinal fructose. GLUT2 serves mainly the basolateral exit of monosaccharides into the bloodstream (though it can appear on the apical membrane in some high-carbohydrate situations, the classic apical entry for fructose is GLUT5).
Question 5
State one role of the gall bladder in digestion.
Correct Answer:
Stores bile
Explanation:
The gall bladder’s job is to store and concentrate bile produced by the liver, keeping it until it’s needed for digestion. When you eat, especially fatty foods, the gall bladder releases that bile into the small intestine to help emulsify fats, making them easier for enzymes to digest. It doesn’t produce enzymes or filter blood—that’s handled by other organs—so storing bile fits best as its primary role.
Question 1
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About this Exam

Prepare with the Leaving Certificate Digestion Practice Test practice quiz. This question bank includes 10 questions covering digestion, absorption, organ, portal, and amylase. Use it to review important concepts, identify knowledge gaps, and build confidence for the related exam, course, or assessment.

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Leaving Certificate Digestion Practice Test

This practice set contains 10 questions from the matching question bank and focuses on digestion, absorption, organ, portal, and amylase. Work through each question carefully, review the provided solutions, and revisit topics that need more study before your next attempt.

This is an independent study resource intended for practice and review; it is not an official examination or an endorsement by any organization named in the title.

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