ESSENTIALS IN NUTRITION BIOD 121
COMPREHENSIVE EXAM 2026
◉ The role of the esophagus is to: Answer: transport food from the
mouth to the stomach
◉ The stomach has a number of different rules: Answer: 1.
important for chemical digestion
2. mechanical digestion - churning and mixing food particles
3. gastrin - leads to enzyme and acid production
4. pepsin - breaks down protein
5. lipase - begins fat digestion
6. intrinsic factor - needed in order to absorb B12
7. holding area of food
8. hormones - regulate acidic production
9. mucus - helps protect and line the stomach
10. pyloric sphincter - a valve, circular muscle that can close and
help regulate the passage of chyme into the small intestine
◉ Glucagon and insulin are important because: Answer: they help
regulate the blood sugars
,◉ After a meal _______ is released and then after a period of time as
we get hungry the _______ is released to give us a quick source of
energy. Answer: insulin; glucagon
◉ There are two different sphincters at the end of the large
intestines known as the anal sphincter which controls expulsions of
fecal matter from the body. The two sphincters are called: Answer:
internal and external sphincters (they control the elimination
process); external is controlled heavily which leads to the final
elimination in the body
◉ Pancreatic juices: Answer: contain bicarb that neutralizes the acid
from the stomach and help to protect the small intestine
◉ There are two types of bacteria important for health: Answer:
bifido and lactobacilli
◉ A problem that can be found in the GI tract where weak spots in
the colon that result in the formation of small pouches: Answer:
diverticulosis
◉ A problem that can be found in the GI tract where a burning
sensation happens in the esophagus: Answer: heart burn
, ◉ A problem that can be found in the GI tract where a burning
sensation in the stomach or small intestine following a meal is
known as: Answer: an ulcer
◉ A problem that can be found in the GI tract where the disease is
not well understood but causes bloating and abdominal pain:
Answer: irritable bowel syndrome
◉ A problem that can be found in the GI tract where hard stools
related to a slow fiber diet is known as: Answer: constipation
◉ Heartburn: Answer: it is a burning sensation of stomach acid
coming back through the esophagus
◉ If a person experiences heartburn several times a week the they
are diagnosed with: Answer: GERD (gastro-esophageal reflux)
◉ What is the primary cause of GERD: Answer: it is related to the the
esophageal sphincter where instead of closing and not allowing the
stomach contents to back up into the esophagus, the sphincter is
weak and relaxed
◉ Heartburn is also known as: Answer: acid reflux
COMPREHENSIVE EXAM 2026
◉ The role of the esophagus is to: Answer: transport food from the
mouth to the stomach
◉ The stomach has a number of different rules: Answer: 1.
important for chemical digestion
2. mechanical digestion - churning and mixing food particles
3. gastrin - leads to enzyme and acid production
4. pepsin - breaks down protein
5. lipase - begins fat digestion
6. intrinsic factor - needed in order to absorb B12
7. holding area of food
8. hormones - regulate acidic production
9. mucus - helps protect and line the stomach
10. pyloric sphincter - a valve, circular muscle that can close and
help regulate the passage of chyme into the small intestine
◉ Glucagon and insulin are important because: Answer: they help
regulate the blood sugars
,◉ After a meal _______ is released and then after a period of time as
we get hungry the _______ is released to give us a quick source of
energy. Answer: insulin; glucagon
◉ There are two different sphincters at the end of the large
intestines known as the anal sphincter which controls expulsions of
fecal matter from the body. The two sphincters are called: Answer:
internal and external sphincters (they control the elimination
process); external is controlled heavily which leads to the final
elimination in the body
◉ Pancreatic juices: Answer: contain bicarb that neutralizes the acid
from the stomach and help to protect the small intestine
◉ There are two types of bacteria important for health: Answer:
bifido and lactobacilli
◉ A problem that can be found in the GI tract where weak spots in
the colon that result in the formation of small pouches: Answer:
diverticulosis
◉ A problem that can be found in the GI tract where a burning
sensation happens in the esophagus: Answer: heart burn
, ◉ A problem that can be found in the GI tract where a burning
sensation in the stomach or small intestine following a meal is
known as: Answer: an ulcer
◉ A problem that can be found in the GI tract where the disease is
not well understood but causes bloating and abdominal pain:
Answer: irritable bowel syndrome
◉ A problem that can be found in the GI tract where hard stools
related to a slow fiber diet is known as: Answer: constipation
◉ Heartburn: Answer: it is a burning sensation of stomach acid
coming back through the esophagus
◉ If a person experiences heartburn several times a week the they
are diagnosed with: Answer: GERD (gastro-esophageal reflux)
◉ What is the primary cause of GERD: Answer: it is related to the the
esophageal sphincter where instead of closing and not allowing the
stomach contents to back up into the esophagus, the sphincter is
weak and relaxed
◉ Heartburn is also known as: Answer: acid reflux
