Digestion and Absorption: Class 11 Biology Q&A
8 free answers on Digestion and Absorption (Biology) for Class 11 students, across CBSE, ICSE and State boards. Includes questions such as “What are the function of hydrochloric acid in the stomach?”, “What is bolus in biology?”, “Name the enzyme present in human saliva and pancreatic juice.”
Question & Answer
Questions
- BiologyClass 11All
What are the function of hydrochloric acid in the stomach?
Hydrochloric acid (HCl) is a strong acid produced by the stomach, primarily in the gastric glands lining the stomach's walls. It plays several important functions in the digestive process and the overall health of the gastrointestinal system. The main functions of hydrochloric acid in the stomach include: Activation of Pepsinogen: One of the key functions of HCl is to activate an enzyme called pepsinogen, which is secreted by the gastric chief cells. When HCl is released into the stom
- BiologyClass 11All
What is bolus in biology?
A bolus, means "ball" in Latin, is a mixture of food and saliva that develops in the mouth during the chewing process and is used for digestion .Its colour is the same as the food being consumed, and saliva contributes to its alkaline pH.The bolus normally goes down the oesophagus to the stomach for digestion after being swallowed. Mastication, or chewing, is the first stage of digestion. During this stage, food is broken down, lubricated with saliva, and moulded into a cohesive mass
- BiologyClass 11All
Name the enzyme present in human saliva and pancreatic juice.
Enzymes in human saliva: Salivary amylase (Ptyalin): The primary enzyme in saliva Function: Breaks down starch (complex carbohydrates) into maltose and simpler sugars Significance: Initiates carbohydrate digestion in the mouth Optimal pH: Works best at neutral pH (around 6.7-7.0) Lingual lipase (minor component): Begins lim
- BiologyClass 11All
What role do the following enzymes play in digestion?
a) Ptyalin (Salivary Amylase) (b) Lipase Lipase is a crucial enzyme that breaks down fats (lipids) into fatty acids and glycerol, facilitating fat digestion and absorption. Sources and functions: Gastric lipase: Secreted by gastric glands in the stomach; plays a minor role in fat digestion (accounts for about 10-30% of fat digestion). Pancreatic lip
- BiologyClass 11All
How would non-secretion of hydrochloric acid in our stomach affect food digestion?
Non-secretion of hydrochloric acid (HCl) in the stomach, a condition known as achlorhydria or hypochlorhydria, would significantly impair digestion and overall health in several ways: Major digestive impacts: Impaired protein digestion: HCl activates pepsinogen into pepsin, the primary enzyme for protein breakdown in the stomach. Without adequate HCl, protein digestion becomes inefficient, leading to malabsorption of am
- BiologyClass 11All
How is digested fat absorbed in the body?
Fat absorption is a sophisticated process that primarily occurs in the small intestine, specifically in the jejunum (the middle section). The process involves several coordinated steps: Step-by-step fat absorption process: Emulsification: Bile salts from the liver emulsify large fat droplets into smaller micelles, increasing the surface area for enzymatic action. Enzymatic digestion: Pancreati
- BiologyClass 11All
Which acid is secreted by the gastric glands in the stomach?
The gastric glands in the stomach secrete Hydrochloric acid (HCl), a strong mineral acid that plays multiple critical roles in digestion: Functions of Gastric HCl: pH Regulation: Creates an acidic environment (pH 1.5-3.5) optimal for enzyme activity Enzyme Activation: Converts inactive pepsinogen into active pepsin, the primary protein-digesting enzyme Protein Denaturation</s
- BiologyClass 11All
What glands are associated with the human digestive system?
The human digestive system includes several important glands that secrete enzymes, acids, and other substances essential for digestion: Major Digestive Glands: Salivary Glands (3 pairs) Location: Mouth region Types: Parotid, submandibular, and sublingual glands Secretion: Saliva containing salivary amylase (ptyalin) for starch digestion