4. Case Study Four Quiz -Homeostatic Blood Glucose Regulation & Digestive Processes in Human Nutrition

What stimulus triggers Di's blood glucose response?

Low blood glucose (hypoglycaemia) due to prolonged fasting.

What role does the pancreas play in maintaining blood glucose levels?

It detects low blood glucose and releases glucagon into the bloodstream.

What is glycogenolysis?

The process where the liver breaks down glycogen into glucose.

What is gluconeogenesis?

The process where the liver makes new glucose from amino acids and lipids.

What are the physical digestive processes involved in breaking down carbohydrates?

Mastication in the mouth, churning in the stomach, and segmentation in the small intestine.

What is the role of salivary amylase in carbohydrate digestion?

It begins the breakdown of starch in the mouth.

Where does pancreatic amylase act in carbohydrate digestion?

It continues the breakdown of carbohydrates in the duodenum.

What enzyme begins protein breakdown in the stomach?

Pepsin, a protease.

What are pancreatic proteases, and where do they act?

Trypsin continues breaking proteins into amino acids in the small intestine.

What is the function of bile salts in fat digestion?

They emulsify fat in the small intestine, facilitating digestion.

What enzyme breaks down fats into fatty acids and glycerol?

Pancreatic lipase.

How does the removal of the gallbladder affect fat digestion?

Bile is released directly from the liver into the small intestine, allowing emulsification to occur, so fat digestion is not significantly affected.

Where is the primary site of absorption for water from black tea?

Small intestine: The entire small intestine is involved in absorption with 90% of consumed liquid being absorbed here.

Colon (large intestine): Despite the small intestine absorbing most of consumed liquid, the main function of the colon is water reabsorption.