2026/2027
BIO 121 Modules 1–7 Essentials in
Nutrition Final Exam Study Guide, Practice
Questions, Test Bank Review and
Comprehensive Exam Prep 2026/2027
Question 1
A group of nursing students is reviewing biological catalysts involved in metabolic
reactions. Which substance is responsible for accelerating biochemical reactions in
the body without being consumed in the process?
A. Hormones
B. Enzymes
C. Antigens
D. Lipids
Correct Answer: B. Enzymes
Rationale:
Enzymes are protein molecules that act as biological catalysts, meaning they speed up
metabolic and biochemical reactions without being used up in the reaction. They are
essential for digestion, cellular respiration, and synthesis processes. Hormones
regulate body functions but do not catalyze reactions directly. Antigens trigger
immune responses, while lipids mainly serve structural and energy storage roles.
Therefore, enzymes are the correct answer.
Question 2
A patient is asked about the enzymes responsible for digesting carbohydrates, proteins,
and fats. Which pairing is correct?
A. Amylase, protease, lipase
B. Lipase, amylase, protease
C. Protease, lipase, amylase
D. Amylase, lipase, protease
Correct Answer: A. Amylase, protease, lipase
Rationale:
Amylase breaks down carbohydrates into simpler sugars, protease breaks down
proteins into amino acids, and lipase breaks down fats into fatty acids and glycerol.
,2026/2027
These enzymes are essential for digestion in the gastrointestinal tract. The other
combinations incorrectly match enzyme functions with their substrates.
Question 3
Which biological molecules are produced by endocrine glands and act on distant
target organs to regulate body functions such as digestion?
A. Enzymes
B. Hormones
C. Antibodies
D. Fibers
Correct Answer: B. Hormones
Rationale:
Hormones are chemical messengers secreted by endocrine glands into the
bloodstream, where they act on distant target cells to regulate physiological processes.
Examples include insulin and secretin. Enzymes catalyze reactions locally, antibodies
are immune proteins, and fibers are indigestible carbohydrates.
Question 4
Which pair of hormones plays a key role in digestive regulation by stimulating
pancreatic enzyme secretion and bile release?
A. Insulin and glucagon
B. Cholecystokinin and secretin
C. Gastrin and cortisol
D. Thyroxine and adrenaline
Correct Answer: B. Cholecystokinin and secretin
Rationale:
Cholecystokinin (CCK) stimulates pancreatic enzyme secretion and gallbladder
contraction, while secretin stimulates bicarbonate release from the pancreas to
neutralize stomach acid. Insulin and glucagon regulate blood glucose, not digestion.
Question 5
Which term describes the wave-like muscular movement that propels food through
the gastrointestinal tract?
A. Diffusion
B. Peristalsis
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C. Filtration
D. Absorption
Correct Answer: B. Peristalsis
Rationale:
Peristalsis is the coordinated contraction of smooth muscles in the digestive tract that
moves food forward. Diffusion and absorption refer to molecular transport processes,
while filtration involves pressure-driven movement across membranes.
Question 6
Which organs are considered accessory digestive organs?
A. Stomach, esophagus, colon
B. Liver, gallbladder, pancreas
C. Small intestine, stomach, liver
D. Pancreas, stomach, esophagus
Correct Answer: B. Liver, gallbladder, pancreas
Rationale:
Accessory organs aid digestion but are not part of the gastrointestinal tract. The liver
produces bile, the gallbladder stores bile, and the pancreas produces enzymes and
bicarbonate. The stomach and intestines are primary digestive organs.
Question 7
Which organ produces bile and stores glycogen?
A. Gallbladder
B. Liver
C. Pancreas
D. Stomach
Correct Answer: B. Liver
Rationale:
The liver produces bile for fat emulsification and stores glycogen for energy. The
gallbladder only stores bile. The pancreas secretes digestive enzymes and hormones,
while the stomach produces gastric acid.
Question 8
, 2026/2027
Which transport mechanism moves nutrients like glucose against a concentration
gradient using ATP?
A. Diffusion
B. Facilitated diffusion
C. Active transport
D. Osmosis
Correct Answer: C. Active transport
Rationale:
Active transport requires energy (ATP) to move substances against a concentration
gradient. Glucose and amino acids often use this mechanism. Diffusion processes do
not require energy.
Question 9
Which reaction type involves the breakdown of molecules using water?
A. Anabolism
B. Condensation
C. Hydrolysis
D. Oxidation
Correct Answer: C. Hydrolysis
Rationale:
Hydrolysis breaks chemical bonds using water and is a catabolic process. Anabolism
builds molecules, condensation forms bonds by removing water, and oxidation
involves electron loss.
Question 10
Which reaction describes building larger molecules from smaller ones while releasing
water?
A. Hydrolysis
B. Condensation
C. Oxidation
D. Diffusion
Correct Answer: B. Condensation
Rationale:
Condensation reactions are anabolic processes that build larger molecules and release
water. Hydrolysis is the opposite process. Oxidation and diffusion are unrelated to
molecular synthesis.
BIO 121 Modules 1–7 Essentials in
Nutrition Final Exam Study Guide, Practice
Questions, Test Bank Review and
Comprehensive Exam Prep 2026/2027
Question 1
A group of nursing students is reviewing biological catalysts involved in metabolic
reactions. Which substance is responsible for accelerating biochemical reactions in
the body without being consumed in the process?
A. Hormones
B. Enzymes
C. Antigens
D. Lipids
Correct Answer: B. Enzymes
Rationale:
Enzymes are protein molecules that act as biological catalysts, meaning they speed up
metabolic and biochemical reactions without being used up in the reaction. They are
essential for digestion, cellular respiration, and synthesis processes. Hormones
regulate body functions but do not catalyze reactions directly. Antigens trigger
immune responses, while lipids mainly serve structural and energy storage roles.
Therefore, enzymes are the correct answer.
Question 2
A patient is asked about the enzymes responsible for digesting carbohydrates, proteins,
and fats. Which pairing is correct?
A. Amylase, protease, lipase
B. Lipase, amylase, protease
C. Protease, lipase, amylase
D. Amylase, lipase, protease
Correct Answer: A. Amylase, protease, lipase
Rationale:
Amylase breaks down carbohydrates into simpler sugars, protease breaks down
proteins into amino acids, and lipase breaks down fats into fatty acids and glycerol.
,2026/2027
These enzymes are essential for digestion in the gastrointestinal tract. The other
combinations incorrectly match enzyme functions with their substrates.
Question 3
Which biological molecules are produced by endocrine glands and act on distant
target organs to regulate body functions such as digestion?
A. Enzymes
B. Hormones
C. Antibodies
D. Fibers
Correct Answer: B. Hormones
Rationale:
Hormones are chemical messengers secreted by endocrine glands into the
bloodstream, where they act on distant target cells to regulate physiological processes.
Examples include insulin and secretin. Enzymes catalyze reactions locally, antibodies
are immune proteins, and fibers are indigestible carbohydrates.
Question 4
Which pair of hormones plays a key role in digestive regulation by stimulating
pancreatic enzyme secretion and bile release?
A. Insulin and glucagon
B. Cholecystokinin and secretin
C. Gastrin and cortisol
D. Thyroxine and adrenaline
Correct Answer: B. Cholecystokinin and secretin
Rationale:
Cholecystokinin (CCK) stimulates pancreatic enzyme secretion and gallbladder
contraction, while secretin stimulates bicarbonate release from the pancreas to
neutralize stomach acid. Insulin and glucagon regulate blood glucose, not digestion.
Question 5
Which term describes the wave-like muscular movement that propels food through
the gastrointestinal tract?
A. Diffusion
B. Peristalsis
,2026/2027
C. Filtration
D. Absorption
Correct Answer: B. Peristalsis
Rationale:
Peristalsis is the coordinated contraction of smooth muscles in the digestive tract that
moves food forward. Diffusion and absorption refer to molecular transport processes,
while filtration involves pressure-driven movement across membranes.
Question 6
Which organs are considered accessory digestive organs?
A. Stomach, esophagus, colon
B. Liver, gallbladder, pancreas
C. Small intestine, stomach, liver
D. Pancreas, stomach, esophagus
Correct Answer: B. Liver, gallbladder, pancreas
Rationale:
Accessory organs aid digestion but are not part of the gastrointestinal tract. The liver
produces bile, the gallbladder stores bile, and the pancreas produces enzymes and
bicarbonate. The stomach and intestines are primary digestive organs.
Question 7
Which organ produces bile and stores glycogen?
A. Gallbladder
B. Liver
C. Pancreas
D. Stomach
Correct Answer: B. Liver
Rationale:
The liver produces bile for fat emulsification and stores glycogen for energy. The
gallbladder only stores bile. The pancreas secretes digestive enzymes and hormones,
while the stomach produces gastric acid.
Question 8
, 2026/2027
Which transport mechanism moves nutrients like glucose against a concentration
gradient using ATP?
A. Diffusion
B. Facilitated diffusion
C. Active transport
D. Osmosis
Correct Answer: C. Active transport
Rationale:
Active transport requires energy (ATP) to move substances against a concentration
gradient. Glucose and amino acids often use this mechanism. Diffusion processes do
not require energy.
Question 9
Which reaction type involves the breakdown of molecules using water?
A. Anabolism
B. Condensation
C. Hydrolysis
D. Oxidation
Correct Answer: C. Hydrolysis
Rationale:
Hydrolysis breaks chemical bonds using water and is a catabolic process. Anabolism
builds molecules, condensation forms bonds by removing water, and oxidation
involves electron loss.
Question 10
Which reaction describes building larger molecules from smaller ones while releasing
water?
A. Hydrolysis
B. Condensation
C. Oxidation
D. Diffusion
Correct Answer: B. Condensation
Rationale:
Condensation reactions are anabolic processes that build larger molecules and release
water. Hydrolysis is the opposite process. Oxidation and diffusion are unrelated to
molecular synthesis.
