CHAPTER 12

DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
Multiple Choice Type
Question 1(i)
Pylorous is an opening from
1. oesophagus into stomach
2. mouth cavity into oesophagus
3. stomach into intestine
4. intestine into rectum
Answer
stomach into intestine
Reason — The opening of the stomach into intestine is called pylorus. It has a ring of muscles
(sphincter).
Question 1(ii)
Gastric juice contains
1. HCl and pepsin
2. pepsin and trypsin
3. trypsin and HCl
4. amylopsin and pepsin
Answer
HCl and pepsin
Reason — Gastric juice is acidic and contains HCl and pepsin.
Question 1(iii)
The water from the digested food is mainly absorbed by
1. stomach
2. duodenum
3. colon
4. rectum
Answer
colon
Reason — Colon absorbs most of the water and left-over nutrients.
 Question 1(iv)
Which one of the following pairs of types of teeth perform one common function as stated
against it?
1. Incisors, canines — Holding
2. Canines, premolars — Tearing
3. Premolars, molars — Grinding
4. Molars, incisors — Tearing
Answer
Premolars, molars — Grinding
Reason — Premolars and molars carry out grinding of food.
Question 1(v)
The hardest substance in the human body is :
1. Bone
2. Enamel
3. Cement
4. Dentine
Answer
Enamel
Reason — Enamel, which forms outer most covering of teeth is hardest substance of the human
body.
Question 1(vi)
Which of the following teeth is bicuspid ?
1. Molars
2. Incisors
3. Premolars
4. Canines
Answer
Premolars
Reason — Premolar has two hill-like projections or cusps on its surface.
Question 1(vii)
The temperature range within which enzymes can act best is :
1. 20° to 30°C
2. 35° to 40°C
3. 40° to 45°C
4. 35° to 50°C
Answer
35° to 40°C
Reason — 35° to 40°C is the optimum temperature range when enzymes act best.
Question 1(viii)
Heterodont dentition is found in :
1. Humans
2. Snake
3. Frog
4. Lizards
Answer
Humans
Reason — Mammals have teeth of different shapes.
Question 1(ix)
Which of the following enzymes is not found in pancreatic juice ?
1. Sucrase
2. Trypsinogen
3. Amylopsin
4. Steapsin
Answer
Sucrase
Reason — Sucrase is present in intestinal juice.
Question 1(x)
The process of conversion of excess glucose into glycogen is termed as :
1. Glycolysis
2. Glycogenesis
3. Glycogenolysis
4. Defaecation
Answer
Glycogenesis
Reason — The excess glucose present in our body is converted into glycogen by liver.
 Question 1(xi)
Name the salivary gland P, Q and R based on their location given below:

Salivary gland Location

P Beneath the ears

Q Below the tongue

R Beneath the lower jaw

1. P — Parotid, Q — Submandibular, R — Sublingual

2. P — Sublingual, Q — Parotid, R — Submandibular
3. P — Submandibular, Q — Sublingual, R — Parotid
4. P — Submandibular, Q — Parotid, R — Sublingual
Answer
P — Parotid, Q — Sublingual, R — Submandibular
Reason — The saliva is secreted by three pairs of salivary glands :
 parotid glands located just in front of and beneath each ear,
 submandibular glands lying close to the inner side of the lower jaw on each side,
 sublingual glands below the tongue.
Question 1(xii)
A biology teacher asked her students to give two examples of enzymes which act on different
forms of carbohydrates.
Nishtha said: Amylopsin and invertase.
Ankur said: Steapsin and Maltase.
Prakriti said: Ptyalin and Amylopsin.
Aakash said: Maltase and Erepsin.
Who were correct?
1. Ankur and Aakash
2. Nishtha and Prakriti
3. Nishtha and Ankur
4. Nishtha and Aakash
Answer
Nishtha and Prakriti
Reason
 Studen
Enzymes Named Substrate Type Result
t

Amylopsin acts on starch

Nishtha Both are carbohydrates Correct
Invertase acts on sucrose

Steapsin acts on fats

One enzyme does not act on
Ankur Maltase acts on Maltose Incorrect
carbohydrate
(carbohydrate)

Ptyalin (salivary amylase) acts on

Prakriti starch Both are carbohydrates Correct
Amylopsin acts on starch

Maltase acts on Maltose

One enzyme does not act on
Aakash (carbohydrate) Incorrect
carbohydrate
Erepsin acts on Proteins

Therefore, only Nishtha and Prakriti supplied two enzymes that each act on some form of
carbohydrate.
Assertion Reason type
Question 2(i)
Assertion (A): The last molar on each side of both the jaws is called the wisdom tooth as it is
responsible for the intelligence of a person.
Reason (R): The wisdom teeth are so called because they appear at an age of about 17-20 years
when the human body is reaching maturity.
1. A is True and R is False.
2. A is false and R is True.
3. Both A and R are True.
4. Both A and R are False.
Answer
A is false and R is True.
Reason — The wisdom tooth is not related to intelligence or mental ability. It is simply the last
tooth to erupt in the dental arch. Wisdom teeth usually erupt between the ages of 17 and 25, a
period sometimes referred to as the "age of wisdom."
Question 2(ii)
Assertion (A): Dentine forms the bulk of the tooth.
Reason (R): Dentine is a bone-like structure which covers and fixes the root of a tooth in position.
1. A is True and R is False.
2. A is false and R is True.
 3. Both A and R are True.
4. Both A and R are False.
Answer
A is True and R is False.
Reason — Dentine is the main structural component of a tooth. It lies beneath the enamel and
forms the bulk (major portion) of both the crown and the root of the tooth. While dentine is a bone-
like tissue, it does not fix the root of the tooth. The structure that covers and anchors the root in
position is called cementum, not dentine.
Question 2(iii)
Assertion (A): Both ptyalin and amylopsin are the same with respect to their enzymatic activity.
Reason (R): Both of these enzymes convert starch into maltose.
1. A is True and R is False.
2. A is false and R is True.
3. Both A and R are True.
4. Both A and R are False.
Answer
Both A and R are True.
Reason — Ptyalin is secreted by salivary glands. Amylopsin is secreted by the pancreas into the
small intestine. Despite being secreted from different glands, both enzymes perform the same
function: they break down starch into maltose. Both enzymes catalyze the hydrolysis of starch (a
polysaccharide) into maltose (a disaccharide).
Question 2(iv)
Assertion (A): Pylorus is the structure which prevents the entry of food from the stomach to the
oesophagus.
Reason (R): Pylorus has a ring of muscles to keep the opening of the stomach closed like a valve.
It is located at the front end of the stomach.
1. A is True and R is False.
2. A is false and R is True.
3. Both A and R are True.
4. Both A and R are False.
Answer
Both A and R are False.
Reason — The pylorus is located at the lower end of the stomach. It controls the passage of food
from the stomach to the small intestine (duodenum). It is true that the pylorus has a ring of muscles
that acts like a valve but it is located at the lower/back end of the stomach, not the front.
Question 2(v)
 Assertion (A): Bile juice is produced in the kidneys and is stored in the liver.
Reason (R): Bile juice is poured in duodenum through the common bile duct. It converts the acidic
pH of the food to alkaline and enables the pancreatic enzymes to act.
1. A is True and R is False.
2. A is false and R is True.
3. Both A and R are True.
4. Both A and R are False.
Answer
A is false and R is True.
Reason — Bile juice is produced in the liver, not the kidneys. It is stored in the gallbladder, not the
liver. Bile is released into the duodenum via the common bile duct. It neutralizes the acidic chyme
from the stomach, making it alkaline. This alkaline environment is necessary for the action of
pancreatic enzymes like trypsin and lipase.
Question 2(vi)
Assertion (A): The length of the small intestine is shorter than the large intestine.
Reason (R): Small intestine is highly coiled and folded in the abdomen.
1. A is True and R is False.
2. A is false and R is True.
3. Both A and R are True.
4. Both A and R are False.
Answer
A is false and R is True.
Reason — The small intestine is actually much longer than the large intestine. The small intestine
is highly coiled to fit within the limited space of the abdomen. This coiling increases the surface area
for absorption.
Very Short Answer Type
Question 1
What is the dental formula of a normal human adult?
Answer
Human adult: 2,1,2,32,1,2,3=322,1,2,32,1,2,3=32 (permanent teeth with 4 wisdom teeth added)
Question 2
Mention two reflexes which occur when a person chews and swallows food.
Answer
The two reflexes which occur when a person chews and swallows food are-
1. Reflex when a person chews — Secretion of saliva.
 2. Reflex when a person swallows — The tongue presses upward and back against the roof
(palate) of the mouth and this forces the bolus (the ball of chewed food ) into the throat or the
pharynx.
Question 3
Given below is the "Internal structure of a tooth". Match the structures marked (a) to (e) with
their characteristics or functions given in the table.
Example: (e) - 5: The soft connective tissue.

Answer

Internal structure of a tooth Characteristics / Functions

(a) Enamel 2. Hardest substance in the body

(b) Dentine 4. Forms the bulk of the tooth

(c) Cementum 1. Covers and fixes the root in position

(d) Root 6. The embedded part of the tooth

(e) Pulp 5. The soft connective tissue

(f) Crown 3. The exposed part of the tooth

Question 4

Column A Column B

Ptyalin Proteins and peptides

Rennin Emulsified fat

Erepsin Protein

Steapsin Starch

Pepsin Casein
 Match the terms given in column A with those of column B.
Answer

Column A Column B

Ptyalin Starch

Rennin Casein

Erepsin Proteins and peptides

Steapsin Emulsified fat

Pepsin Protein

Question 5
Consider the following two statements A & B and select the statements from (i) – (iv) that hold
true.
A. Small intestine is shorter than large intestine.
B. Small intestine is wider than large intestine.
Options:
(i) Both the statements are correct.
(ii) Both the statements are wrong.
(iii) Statement A is correct, B is wrong.
(iv) Statement B is correct, A is wrong.
Answer
The statement that holds true is:
(ii) Both the statements are wrong.
Reason — Small intestine is longer than the large intestine. It is about 7 meters longer while large
intestine is about 1.5 meters long. Large intestine is wider than the small intestine.
Question 6
Name these:
1. Two main divisions of the digestive system
2. Three digestive glands
3. Three pairs of salivary glands
4. Three parts small intestine
5. Three parts of large intestine
 Answer
1. Alimentary canal and digestive glands.
2. Salivary gland, liver and pancreas.
3. Parotid glands, sub-mandibular glands and sublingual glands.
4. Duodenum, Jejunum, Ileum.
5. Caecum, Colon, Rectum.
Question 7
Choose the odd one out and write the category of the remaining terms :
1. Pepsin, Trypsin, Steapsin, Erepsin
2. Lactase, Peptidase, Invertase, Maltase
3. Glucose, Fructose, Galactose, Starch
4. Ileum, Colon, Duodenum, Jejunum
5. Palate, Crown, Root, Neck
Answer
1. Steapsin is odd one out. Remaining terms (Pepsin, Trypsin and Erepsin) are protein digesting
enzymes.
2. Peptidase is odd one out. Lactase, Invertase and Maltase are sugar digesting enzymes.
3. Starch is odd one out. Glucose, Fructose and Galactose are simple sugar.
4. Colon is odd one out. Ileum, Duodenum and Jejunum are parts of small intestine.
5. Palate is odd one out. Crown, Root and Neck are parts of teeth.
Short Answer Type
Question 1
Define the following terms:
(a) Digestion
(b) Enzymes
(c) Peristalsis
(d) Dentition
(e) Defaecation
(f) Assimilation
Answer
(a) Digestion — Digestion is any change which makes the food soluble and of such chemical
nature that it can be absorbed readily through living membranes.
(b) Enzymes — An enzyme is a protein that acts on a specific substance to form a specific end
product. It best acts at a particular temperature and pH.
 (c) Peristalsis — It is defined as the rhythmic contraction and relaxation of the muscles of the
alimentary canal which pushes the food along the gut.
(d) Dentition — The arrangement of teeth in a particular species is called dentition.
(e) Defaecation — The expulsion of undigested remains of food from the alimentary canal is
called defaecation.
(f) Assimilation — It is the conversion of the absorbed digested food into body material.
Question 2
What are the end-products of the digestion of: starch, proteins and fats respectively?
Answer
The end products are as follows:
Starch — Maltose
Proteins — Small peptides and amino acids
Fats — Glycerol and fatty acids
Question 3
Write the exact locations of the following :
(a) Liver
(b) Sub-mandibular gland
(c) Pylorus
(d) Pancreas
(e) Caecum
Answer
(a) located in upper right side of abdomen just below the diaphragm.
(b) close to the inner side of the lower jaw on each side.
(c) between stomach and small intestine.
(d) located behind the stomach.
(e) at junction of large and small intestine.
Question 4
Write the important roles of the following :
(a) Rectum
(b) Gastric juice
(c) Epiglottis
(d) Small intestine
(e) Tongue
Answer
 (a) Rectum temporarily stores undigested food and wastes, to be defaecated through the anus.
(b) Gastric juice plays two key roles (i) it kills any germs which may have entered along with the
food (ii) it activates pepsinogen to act on proteins.
(c) Epiglottis closes the opening of wind pipe.
(d) Most of the digestion and absorption of nutrition occur in small intestine.
(e) Tongue helps in mixing of food in buccal cavity and pushes it through pharynx.
Question 5
Give reasons/explain :
(a) Only animals require a digestive system and not plants.
(b) There are no enzymes to digest vitamins.
(c) Thorough chewing of food in mouth is helpful in digestion.
(d) Bile juice does not contain any enzyme but is still important in digestion.
(e) The inner layer of small intestine has a large number of finger-like projections called villi.
Answer
(a) Animals are heterotrophs. They obtain their nutrients by consuming organic matter, such as
other organisms or plant material. Hence, they need a digestive system to break down complex
molecules, such as proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids, into smaller, absorbable forms. In contrast,
plants are autotrophs, capable of synthesizing their own food through photosynthesis. Hence, they
don't require a digestive system.
(b) Vitamins do not need digestion. They are absorbed directly through the intestine wall.
(c) Chewing of food breaks the food into small particles which helps in easy digestion.
(d) Bile contains a lot of sodium bicarbonate which neutralises the acid content of the food
received from the stomach and makes it alkaline so that pancreatic and intestinal enzymes can act on
it.
(e) The villi enormously increase the inner surface area of the intestines which facilitates the
absorption of digested food.
Question 6
What is roughage? Give two examples.
Answer
Roughage is the undigestible portion of the diet. It is a dietary fibre that majorly contains
cellulose. Examples – Green leafy vegetables, fruits, beans, nuts.
Question 7
Mention two ways in which the ileum of a mammal is adapted for the absorption of digested
food.
Answer
The two ways in which the ileum of mammals is adapted for the absorption of digested food are:
 1. Very long to provide much more surface area for absorption.
2. Ileum has numerous villi which further causes the surface area to increase thereby increasing
the quantity of absorption of digested food.
Question 8
The stomach secretes gastric juice, which contains hydrochloric acid. What is its function?
Answer
Hydrochloric acid performs the following functions in the stomach-
1. It kills any germs which may have entered along with the food.
2. It activates pepsin to act on proteins. Pepsin digests proteins into peptides.
Long Answer Type
Question 1
What are the main characteristics of an enzyme?
Answer
Main characteristics of enzymes are-
1. It is a protein and is, therefore, destroyed by heating.
2. It acts only on one kind of substance called the substrate i.e. it is specific.
3. It always forms the same end-product(s) from the substrate.
4. It only affects the rate of a chemical reaction and always speeds up the reaction.
5. Like a catalyst, it can be used again and again.
6. It acts best only at a particular pH,i.e. at a particular degree of acidity or alkalinity.
7. It acts best within a narrow temperature range, usually between 35°and 40°C which is also
called the optimum temperature.
Question 2
Why is the small intestine the most important organ of the digestive system?
Answer
The small intestine serves two important functions of digestion and absorption. In the duodenum,
it receives two digestive juices:
1. The bile
2. The pancreatic juice
Both the juices virtually complete the process of digestion of proteins, starch, carbohydrates etc.
Once the food is broken down, the small intestine is responsible to absorb simple particles such as
amino acids, glucose etc.
Question 3
How is the liver an important organ in our body?
 Answer
The liver is the largest gland of the body and it performs the following functions:
1. Controls amino acid levels
2. Produces foetal red blood cells
3. Produces heparin and fibrinogen
4. Checks blood volume
5. Destructs dead red blood cells
6. Detoxifies
7. Produces bile
8. Generates heat
9. Controls blood sugar levels
10. Storage of minerals and vitamins
11. Excretes metallic and toxic substances
Question 4
List the enzymes and their action on food in the stomach and intestine.

Name of the
Part of the body Action on food
enzyme

Stomach Pepsin Converts proteins into polypeptides

Small intestine - Acts on proteins peptones and proteases to produce

Trypsin
Duodenum peptides and amino acids.

Amylopectin Acts on starch to produce maltose

Steapsin Acts on emulsified fats to produce fatty acids and glycerol

Small intestine -
erepsin It acts on proteins and peptides to produce amino acids
Ileum

Maltase Acts on maltose to produce glucose

Sucrase Acts on sucrose to produce glucose and fructose

Lactase Acts on lactose to produce glucose and galactose

Lipase Acts on fats to produce fatty acids and glycerol

Answer
 The table below shows the different regions, enzymes and the action of the enzymes on the food
-
Question 5
You have been supplied with a sample of food. How will you perform tests for the presence of
starch and proteins in it?
Answer
The following tests can be carried out:
Test for starch:
Aim — To detect the presence of starch in the sample
Procedure and Inference —
1. Add some starch powder to a test tube containing water, shake well. Boil well to make a
solution.
2. Add some drops of iodine solutions when the solution cools down.
3. Iodine solution can be prepared by dissolving 1g iodine with 1g potassium iodide in 100ml of
distilled water, dilute this solution before using.
4. The solution in the test tube would turn blur-black indicating the presence of starch.
Test for proteins:
Aim — To detect the presence of proteins in the given sample
Procedure and Inference—
1. In a test tube add a few pieces of the sample (hard-boiled egg)
2. Add a few drops of dilute nitric acid so as to seal the food
3. Gently heat the test tube, rinsing off the acid with water, to this add ammonium hydroxide
4. Observe the changes – from the initial white, color changes to yellow
5. After adding ammonium hydroxide – the color changes from yellow to orange.
Structured / Application / Skill Type
Question 1
Draw a labelled diagram to show the internal structure of a mammalian tooth with two roots.
Answer
Below labelled diagram shows the internal structure of a mammalian tooth with two roots :
Question 2
Complete the following table by filling in the blanks 1 to 8.

Organ Enzyme Food acted upon Final product

1 Pepsin 2 3

Mouth 4 5 Disaccharide

6 7 Maltose 8

Answer
1 – Stomach
2 – Proteins
3 – Polypeptides
4 – Amylase
5 – Starch
6 – Ileum
7 – Maltase
8 – Glucose
Question 3
Study the diagram given below and then answer the questions that follow:
 (a) Name the parts labeled 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6.
(b) Identify the tooth and give a reason to support your answer.
(c) Describe the structure of the part labeled '3'.
(d) Give the total number of the type of tooth mentioned in '1' above, in the mouth of an adult
and state its function.
Answer
(a) The parts are-
 1 → Enamel
 2 → Dentine
 3 → Pulp
 4 → Gum
 5 → Crown
 6 → Cement
(b) The type of teeth shown in the given figure has only one root. Hence it is a canine or incisor
that is used to bite or pierce.
 (c) The part labelled '3'(Pulp) is a soft connective tissue present in the pulp cavity of the tooth. It
consists of blood capillaries, lymph vessels and nerve fibres. From the crown of the tooth, the pulp
opens through the pulp cavity at the base of the root.
(d) The type of teeth mentioned in the figure and its function are as follows:

Type of teeth Number of teeth Function

Incisors 8 Used to cut and bite

Canines 4 Used to tear and hold food

Premolars 8 Used to grind and crush food

Molars 12 Used to grind and crush food

Question 4
Study the following dental formula and then answer the questions that follow:
i34i43c00pm10m11
(a) What is the total number of teeth in the (i) upper jaw and (ii) lower jaw?
(b) State the total number of teeth present in the dentition.
(c) Give the dental formula of an adult human being.
Answer
(a) The total number of teeth in the upper jaw are 8 and lower jaw are 12.
(b) The total number of teeth present in the given dentition are 20 teeth.
(c) The dental formula of an adult is as follows:
Human adult: 2,1,2,32,1,2,3=322,1,2,32,1,2,3=32 (permanent teeth with 4 wisdom teeth added)
Question 5
The figures (A, B, C and D) shown below represent different kinds of teeth in humans. Study the
figures and answer the following questions:

(a) What kind of teeth do A, B, C and D represent ?

(b) Write one structural feature/shape of each.
(c) Mention the number of teeth of each kind in one jaw with their specific position.
 (d) Name two minerals present in teeth.
(e) What do you mean by 'Wisdom tooth'?
Answer
(a)
 A → Incisor
 B → Canine
 C → Premolar
 D → Molar
(b)
 A → Broad and sharp
 B → Conical and sharply pointed
 C → Two hill-like projections(bicuspid)
 D → Large grinding surface
(c)
 A → Four, centre of each jaw
 B → Two, one on each side of incisor
 C → Four, two on side of each canine
 D → Six, three on each side
(d) Calcium and phosphorous.
(e) Last molar on each side of jaw is called wisdom teeth.
Question 6
Draw a neat diagram of the "Microscopic Structure of an intestinal villus" and label the parts
given below :
1. Epithelium
2. Capillaries
3. Lacteals
Answer the following questions :
(a) What is the advantage of having a large number of villi on the inner surface of small intestine ?
(b) Write the important role of lacteals.
(c) Name the juice secreted from the glandular cells of small intestine.
(d) Name the specific secretions of:
1. Salivary gland
2. Stomach
 3. Liver
4. Pancreas
Answer
Below is the labelled diagram of the "Microscopic Structure of an intestinal villus":

(a) A large number of villi enormously increase the inner surface area of the small intestine which
facilitates the absorption of digested food.
(b) The fatty acids and glycerol are absorbed into the lacteals to enter the lymphatic system which
forms a network all over the body to ultimately empty its contents into the blood stream.
(c) Intestinal juice
(d)
1. Salivary gland - Saliva (amylase)
2. Stomach - Gastric juice
3. Liver - Bile
4. Pancreas - Pancreatic juice
Question 7
Vedika observed the following structure in a biology chart showing the digestive system.
 (a) Name the structure which stores bile juice.
(b) Mention the gland which secretes bile juice.
(c) What are the three enzymes found in the pancreatic juice which can act over proteins,
carbohydrates and emulisifed fats ?
Answer
(a) Gall bladder
(b) Liver
(c) Trypsin – Acts on proteins, Amylopsin (Pancreatic amylase) – Acts on carbohydrates (starch),
Steapsin (Pancreatic lipase) – Acts on emulsified fats
Question 8
Write the correct word for the items (i) to (viii).
(i) A predator:
GRIETGRIET ...............
(ii) Deficiency of Folic acid (B9) produces:
MIAAAENMIAAAEN ...............
(iii) A digestive enzyme:
ENPISPENPISP ...............
(iv) A part of tooth:
TEEDINNTEEDINN ...............
(v) Fatty acids are absorbed into:
TACLELASTACLELAS ...............
(vi) Maltase acts on:
LESOMATLESOMAT ...............
(vii) Excess amino acids are broken down in:
RIVELRIVEL ...............
(viii) An enzyme which digest starch:
YEALMASYEALMAS ...............
Answer
(i) A predator:
GRIETGRIET TIGER
(ii) Deficiency of Folic acid (B9) produces:
MIAAAENMIAAAEN ANAEMIA
(iii) A digestive enzyme:
ENPISPENPISP PEPSIN
(iv) A part of tooth:
TEEDINNTEEDINN DENTINE
(v) Fatty acids are absorbed into:
TACLELASTACLELAS LACTEALS
(vi) Maltase acts on:
LESOMATLESOMAT MALTOSE
(vii) Excess amino acids are broken down in:
RIVELRIVEL LIVER
(viii) An enzyme which digest starch:
YEALMASYEALMAS AMYLASE