Galen College NU 110 Exam 3 (pdf) | 2026/2027 | Integrated Human
Sciences Q&A | Human Sciences
1. Which of the following correctly lists the organs of the alimentary canal in
order from mouth to anus?
A) Mouth, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, large intestine, small intestine
B) Mouth, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine
C) Mouth, esophagus, pharynx, stomach, small intestine, large intestine
D) Mouth, stomach, pharynx, esophagus, small intestine, large intestine
Correct Answer: Mouth, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large
intestine
Rationale: The alimentary canal forms a continuous tube from the mouth to
the anus. The correct sequential order is mouth, pharynx, esophagus,
stomach, small intestine, and large intestine. Food travels through these
structures, undergoing digestion and absorption along the way.
2. What is the primary function of the digestive system?
A) To transport oxygen to body tissues
B) To break down food into absorbable nutrients and eliminate waste
C) To regulate body temperature
D) To produce hormones for growth
Correct Answer: To break down food into absorbable nutrients and eliminate
waste
Rationale: The digestive system breaks down food into nutrients that can be
absorbed into the body and eliminates the remaining waste as feces. Food is
not considered part of the body until it is absorbed. The other options
describe functions of other body systems.
,3. The three pairs of salivary glands are the:
A) Parotid, submandibular, and sublingual
B) Parotid, sublingual, and adrenal
C) Submandibular, sublingual, and thyroid
D) Parotid, submandibular, and pancreatic
Correct Answer: Parotid, submandibular, and sublingual
Rationale: The three pairs of salivary glands are the parotid, submandibular,
and sublingual glands. These glands secrete saliva, which contains enzymes
that begin the chemical breakdown of food. The adrenal and thyroid glands
are not salivary glands.
4. Which of the following are classified as accessory organs of the digestive
system?
A) Mouth, pharynx, and esophagus
B) Stomach, small intestine, and large intestine
C) Teeth, tongue, salivary glands, liver, gallbladder, and pancreas
D) Pharynx, larynx, and trachea
Correct Answer: Teeth, tongue, salivary glands, liver, gallbladder, and
pancreas
Rationale: Accessory organs of the digestive system include the teeth,
tongue, salivary glands, liver, gallbladder, and pancreas. These structures
support digestion but are not part of the alimentary canal itself. The main
organs form the canal from mouth to anus.
,5. What is the definition of ingestion?
A) The mechanical and chemical breakdown of food
B) The intake of food into the mouth
C) The removal of waste from the body
D) The release of digestive juices
Correct Answer: The intake of food into the mouth
Rationale: Ingestion is defined as the intake of food into the mouth—the
consumption of food into the digestive system. Digestion is the breakdown of
food, elimination is the removal of waste, and secretion is the release of
digestive juices.
6. Which term describes the waves of muscle contraction and relaxation that
push food through the digestive tract?
A) Segmentation
B) Peristalsis
C) Haustration
D) Mastication
Correct Answer: Peristalsis
Rationale: Peristalsis consists of waves of muscle contraction and relaxation
that push food in the form of a bolus from the mouth toward the anus.
Segmentation involves mixing, haustration occurs in the large intestine, and
mastication is chewing.
7. What is the primary cause of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)?
A) Excessive production of stomach acid
, B) Failure of the lower esophageal sphincter
C) Inflammation of the gastric mucosa
D) Overgrowth of intestinal bacteria
Correct Answer: Failure of the lower esophageal sphincter
Rationale: GERD is caused by failure of the lower esophageal sphincter,
allowing stomach contents to flow back up into the esophagus. This causes
burning and irritation in the chest and throat. Excessive acid production may
contribute but is not the primary cause.
8. Which substance is secreted by the pancreas to neutralize acidic chyme
from the stomach?
A) Hydrochloric acid
B) Sodium bicarbonate
C) Bile
D) Pepsin
Correct Answer: Sodium bicarbonate
Rationale: The pancreas secretes sodium bicarbonate, which neutralizes the
acidic chyme from the stomach. This creates a suitable pH environment for
digestive enzymes to function in the small intestine. Hydrochloric acid is
produced by the stomach, bile by the liver, and pepsin by the stomach.
9. Which of the following nutrients are digested by enzymes located in the
intestinal cell plasma membrane?
A) Proteins and fats
B) Disaccharides such as maltose and sucrose
Sciences Q&A | Human Sciences
1. Which of the following correctly lists the organs of the alimentary canal in
order from mouth to anus?
A) Mouth, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, large intestine, small intestine
B) Mouth, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine
C) Mouth, esophagus, pharynx, stomach, small intestine, large intestine
D) Mouth, stomach, pharynx, esophagus, small intestine, large intestine
Correct Answer: Mouth, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large
intestine
Rationale: The alimentary canal forms a continuous tube from the mouth to
the anus. The correct sequential order is mouth, pharynx, esophagus,
stomach, small intestine, and large intestine. Food travels through these
structures, undergoing digestion and absorption along the way.
2. What is the primary function of the digestive system?
A) To transport oxygen to body tissues
B) To break down food into absorbable nutrients and eliminate waste
C) To regulate body temperature
D) To produce hormones for growth
Correct Answer: To break down food into absorbable nutrients and eliminate
waste
Rationale: The digestive system breaks down food into nutrients that can be
absorbed into the body and eliminates the remaining waste as feces. Food is
not considered part of the body until it is absorbed. The other options
describe functions of other body systems.
,3. The three pairs of salivary glands are the:
A) Parotid, submandibular, and sublingual
B) Parotid, sublingual, and adrenal
C) Submandibular, sublingual, and thyroid
D) Parotid, submandibular, and pancreatic
Correct Answer: Parotid, submandibular, and sublingual
Rationale: The three pairs of salivary glands are the parotid, submandibular,
and sublingual glands. These glands secrete saliva, which contains enzymes
that begin the chemical breakdown of food. The adrenal and thyroid glands
are not salivary glands.
4. Which of the following are classified as accessory organs of the digestive
system?
A) Mouth, pharynx, and esophagus
B) Stomach, small intestine, and large intestine
C) Teeth, tongue, salivary glands, liver, gallbladder, and pancreas
D) Pharynx, larynx, and trachea
Correct Answer: Teeth, tongue, salivary glands, liver, gallbladder, and
pancreas
Rationale: Accessory organs of the digestive system include the teeth,
tongue, salivary glands, liver, gallbladder, and pancreas. These structures
support digestion but are not part of the alimentary canal itself. The main
organs form the canal from mouth to anus.
,5. What is the definition of ingestion?
A) The mechanical and chemical breakdown of food
B) The intake of food into the mouth
C) The removal of waste from the body
D) The release of digestive juices
Correct Answer: The intake of food into the mouth
Rationale: Ingestion is defined as the intake of food into the mouth—the
consumption of food into the digestive system. Digestion is the breakdown of
food, elimination is the removal of waste, and secretion is the release of
digestive juices.
6. Which term describes the waves of muscle contraction and relaxation that
push food through the digestive tract?
A) Segmentation
B) Peristalsis
C) Haustration
D) Mastication
Correct Answer: Peristalsis
Rationale: Peristalsis consists of waves of muscle contraction and relaxation
that push food in the form of a bolus from the mouth toward the anus.
Segmentation involves mixing, haustration occurs in the large intestine, and
mastication is chewing.
7. What is the primary cause of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)?
A) Excessive production of stomach acid
, B) Failure of the lower esophageal sphincter
C) Inflammation of the gastric mucosa
D) Overgrowth of intestinal bacteria
Correct Answer: Failure of the lower esophageal sphincter
Rationale: GERD is caused by failure of the lower esophageal sphincter,
allowing stomach contents to flow back up into the esophagus. This causes
burning and irritation in the chest and throat. Excessive acid production may
contribute but is not the primary cause.
8. Which substance is secreted by the pancreas to neutralize acidic chyme
from the stomach?
A) Hydrochloric acid
B) Sodium bicarbonate
C) Bile
D) Pepsin
Correct Answer: Sodium bicarbonate
Rationale: The pancreas secretes sodium bicarbonate, which neutralizes the
acidic chyme from the stomach. This creates a suitable pH environment for
digestive enzymes to function in the small intestine. Hydrochloric acid is
produced by the stomach, bile by the liver, and pepsin by the stomach.
9. Which of the following nutrients are digested by enzymes located in the
intestinal cell plasma membrane?
A) Proteins and fats
B) Disaccharides such as maltose and sucrose
