2026 BIOD 152: Module 7 Exam Portage Learning Questions and
Answers 2026 Practice Set
BIOD 152: Module 7 Digestive System Test Bank
1. Which of the following is the correct order of the layers of the GI tract wall,
from the lumen outward?
A. Serosa, Muscularis, Submucosa, Mucosa
B. Mucosa, Submucosa, Muscularis, Serosa
C. Submucosa, Mucosa, Serosa, Muscularis
D. Muscularis, Serosa, Mucosa, Submucosa
Answer: B
Rationale: The mucosa is the innermost lining in contact with food, followed by the
supportive submucosa, the contractile muscularis, and the protective outer serosa.
2. The process of "Mastication" is best described as:
A. Swallowing food
B. Chemical breakdown of proteins
C. Mechanical chewing of food in the mouth
D. The movement of food through the esophagus
Answer: C
Rationale: Mastication is the mechanical process of breaking food into smaller pieces
and mixing it with saliva to form a bolus.
3. Which enzyme found in saliva begins the chemical digestion of carbohydrates?
A. Salivary lipase
B. Pepsin
C. Salivary amylase
D. Trypsin
Answer: C
Rationale: Amylase breaks down complex starches into smaller polysaccharides and
maltose while food is still in the mouth.
4. "Peristalsis" is the primary means of:
A. Mixing food with enzymes
B. Propulsion (moving food along the GI tract)
C. Absorbing nutrients into the blood
,D. Filtering toxins in the liver
Answer: B
Rationale: Peristalsis involves alternating waves of contraction and relaxation of smooth
muscle to push the bolus or chyme forward.
5. The "Uvula" and the "Soft Palate" function to:
A. Grind food
B. Produce speech only
C. Close off the nasopharynx during swallowing
D. Secrete digestive enzymes
Answer: C
Rationale: These structures move upward during deglutition to prevent food and liquid
from entering the nasal cavity.
6. Which type of tooth is specifically designed for "tearing and piercing" food?
A. Incisors
B. Molars
C. Canines (Cuspids)
D. Premolars
Answer: C
Rationale: Canines are pointed teeth suited for tearing; incisors are for cutting, and
molars are for grinding.
7. The "Esophagus" enters the stomach at which region?
A. Fundus
B. Pylorus
C. Cardia
D. Body
Answer: C
Rationale: The cardia is the superior opening of the stomach, named for its proximity to
the heart.
8. Which sphincter prevents stomach acid from backing up into the esophagus?
A. Pyloric sphincter
B. Lower esophageal (Cardiac) sphincter
C. Ileocecal sphincter
D. Hepatopancreatic sphincter
Answer: B
Rationale: Failure of this sphincter to close properly leads to gastroesophageal reflux
disease (GERD) or heartburn.
, 9. The "Deglutition" process is the medical term for:
A. Vomiting
B. Swallowing
C. Defecation
D. Burping
Answer: B
Rationale: Deglutition involves a voluntary buccal phase and involuntary pharyngeal-
esophageal phases.
10. Which layer of the stomach wall is unique because it has three layers of
smooth muscle instead of two?
A. Mucosa
B. Submucosa
C. Muscularis externa
D. Serosa
Answer: C
Rationale: The stomach has an additional inner oblique layer that allows it to churn, mix,
and pummel food mechanically.
11. "Rugae" are macroscopic folds in the stomach that allow for:
A. Increased surface area for absorption
B. Expansion and stretching of the stomach as it fills
C. Secreting hormones
D. Moving chyme into the small intestine
Answer: B
Rationale: Rugae disappear as the stomach distends to accommodate a large meal.
12. Which cell in the gastric glands secretes "Hydrochloric Acid" (HCl)?
A. Chief cells
B. Parietal cells
C. Mucous neck cells
D. G cells
Answer: B
Rationale: Parietal cells secrete both HCl (which activates enzymes) and Intrinsic Factor
(needed for Vitamin B12 absorption).
13. "Chief Cells" in the stomach produce which inactive proenzyme?
A. Pepsin
B. Pepsinogen
C. Gastrin
Answers 2026 Practice Set
BIOD 152: Module 7 Digestive System Test Bank
1. Which of the following is the correct order of the layers of the GI tract wall,
from the lumen outward?
A. Serosa, Muscularis, Submucosa, Mucosa
B. Mucosa, Submucosa, Muscularis, Serosa
C. Submucosa, Mucosa, Serosa, Muscularis
D. Muscularis, Serosa, Mucosa, Submucosa
Answer: B
Rationale: The mucosa is the innermost lining in contact with food, followed by the
supportive submucosa, the contractile muscularis, and the protective outer serosa.
2. The process of "Mastication" is best described as:
A. Swallowing food
B. Chemical breakdown of proteins
C. Mechanical chewing of food in the mouth
D. The movement of food through the esophagus
Answer: C
Rationale: Mastication is the mechanical process of breaking food into smaller pieces
and mixing it with saliva to form a bolus.
3. Which enzyme found in saliva begins the chemical digestion of carbohydrates?
A. Salivary lipase
B. Pepsin
C. Salivary amylase
D. Trypsin
Answer: C
Rationale: Amylase breaks down complex starches into smaller polysaccharides and
maltose while food is still in the mouth.
4. "Peristalsis" is the primary means of:
A. Mixing food with enzymes
B. Propulsion (moving food along the GI tract)
C. Absorbing nutrients into the blood
,D. Filtering toxins in the liver
Answer: B
Rationale: Peristalsis involves alternating waves of contraction and relaxation of smooth
muscle to push the bolus or chyme forward.
5. The "Uvula" and the "Soft Palate" function to:
A. Grind food
B. Produce speech only
C. Close off the nasopharynx during swallowing
D. Secrete digestive enzymes
Answer: C
Rationale: These structures move upward during deglutition to prevent food and liquid
from entering the nasal cavity.
6. Which type of tooth is specifically designed for "tearing and piercing" food?
A. Incisors
B. Molars
C. Canines (Cuspids)
D. Premolars
Answer: C
Rationale: Canines are pointed teeth suited for tearing; incisors are for cutting, and
molars are for grinding.
7. The "Esophagus" enters the stomach at which region?
A. Fundus
B. Pylorus
C. Cardia
D. Body
Answer: C
Rationale: The cardia is the superior opening of the stomach, named for its proximity to
the heart.
8. Which sphincter prevents stomach acid from backing up into the esophagus?
A. Pyloric sphincter
B. Lower esophageal (Cardiac) sphincter
C. Ileocecal sphincter
D. Hepatopancreatic sphincter
Answer: B
Rationale: Failure of this sphincter to close properly leads to gastroesophageal reflux
disease (GERD) or heartburn.
, 9. The "Deglutition" process is the medical term for:
A. Vomiting
B. Swallowing
C. Defecation
D. Burping
Answer: B
Rationale: Deglutition involves a voluntary buccal phase and involuntary pharyngeal-
esophageal phases.
10. Which layer of the stomach wall is unique because it has three layers of
smooth muscle instead of two?
A. Mucosa
B. Submucosa
C. Muscularis externa
D. Serosa
Answer: C
Rationale: The stomach has an additional inner oblique layer that allows it to churn, mix,
and pummel food mechanically.
11. "Rugae" are macroscopic folds in the stomach that allow for:
A. Increased surface area for absorption
B. Expansion and stretching of the stomach as it fills
C. Secreting hormones
D. Moving chyme into the small intestine
Answer: B
Rationale: Rugae disappear as the stomach distends to accommodate a large meal.
12. Which cell in the gastric glands secretes "Hydrochloric Acid" (HCl)?
A. Chief cells
B. Parietal cells
C. Mucous neck cells
D. G cells
Answer: B
Rationale: Parietal cells secrete both HCl (which activates enzymes) and Intrinsic Factor
(needed for Vitamin B12 absorption).
13. "Chief Cells" in the stomach produce which inactive proenzyme?
A. Pepsin
B. Pepsinogen
C. Gastrin
