1st Year BPT Model answers.

SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS

1. Functions of Saliva

1. Lubricates food and oral cavity.

2. Initiates digestion of starch by salivary amylase.

3. Helps in swallowing and speech.

4. Dissolves substances for taste sensation.

5. Cleanses the mouth and prevents dental caries.

6. Acts as a buffer and maintains oral pH.

7. Has antibacterial action due to lysozyme and IgA.

2. Functions of Bile

1. Emulsifies fats.

2. Facilitates absorption of fats and fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K).

3. Neutralizes acidic chyme in the duodenum.

4. Excretes bilirubin, cholesterol, and drugs.

5. Promotes intestinal motility.

3. Hunger Contractions

Hunger contractions are rhythmic contractions of the empty stomach occurring during fasting.
They are produced by increased gastric motility and are associated with the sensation of
hunger.

4. Intrinsic Factor

Intrinsic factor is a glycoprotein secreted by gastric parietal cells. It is essential for the
absorption of Vitamin B12 in the terminal ileum. Deficiency causes pernicious anaemia.

5. Secretin

Secretin is a hormone secreted by S cells of the duodenum in response to acidic chyme. It

CCK is secreted by I cells of the duodenum and jejunum. It:

• Stimulates pancreatic enzyme secretion.

• Causes contraction of gallbladder.

• Relaxes sphincter of Oddi.

• Slows gastric emptying.

7. Enzymes Present in Pancreatic Juice

Proteolytic Enzymes

• Trypsin

• Chymotrypsin

• Carboxypeptidase

• Elastase

Carbohydrate Digesting Enzyme

• Pancreatic amylase

Fat Digesting Enzymes

• Pancreatic lipase

• Phospholipase

• Cholesterol esterase

Nucleolytic Enzymes

• Ribonuclease

• Deoxyribonuclease

8. Functions of Hydrochloric Acid

1. Activates pepsinogen to pepsin.

2. Provides acidic medium for pepsin action.

3. Denatures proteins.

4. Kills microorganisms.

5. Facilitates iron absorption.

Digestion is the process by which complex food substances are converted into simple
absorbable forms by mechanical and enzymatic actions.

10. Define Absorption

Absorption is the process by which digested nutrients, water, and electrolytes pass from the
gastrointestinal tract into blood or lymph.

11. Functions of Liver

1. Bile secretion.

2. Metabolism of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats.

3. Storage of glycogen, vitamins, and iron.

4. Detoxification of drugs and toxins.

5. Synthesis of plasma proteins.

6. Formation of urea.

7. Destruction of old RBCs.

12. Peptic Ulcer

Peptic ulcer is a break in the mucosal lining of the stomach or duodenum caused by the action
of acid and pepsin.

Causes

• Helicobacter pylori infection

• NSAIDs

• Excess acid secretion

13. Peristalsis

Peristalsis is a coordinated wave of contraction and relaxation of the gastrointestinal smooth

14. Gastrin

Gastrin is a hormone secreted by G cells of the pyloric antrum. It stimulates gastric acid
secretion and promotes gastric motility.
15. Enterokinase

Enterokinase (enteropeptidase) is an enzyme secreted by the intestinal mucosa that converts

SHORT ESSAYS

1. Formation of Hydrochloric Acid in the Stomach

Site

Parietal (oxyntic) cells of gastric glands.

Mechanism:

Step 1: Inside the Parietal Cell, carbon dioxide and water are combined to create carbonic acid.
This acid then breaks apart into hydrogen ions (H⁺) and bicarbonate ions (HCO₃⁻).

Step 2: The bicarbonate is moved back into your blood stream through an exchange pump.

Step 3: The hydrogen ions are pumped out of the cell and into the stomach lumen using a
separate H⁺/K⁺ pump.

Step 4: Chloride ions (Cl⁻) are also released into the lumen, where they meet the hydrogen ions.

Step 5: The H⁺ and Cl⁻ combine, creating Hydrochloric Acid (HCl), and lowering the pH of your
stomach.
2. Deglutition (Swallowing)

Definition

Deglutition is the process of transferring food from the mouth to the stomach.

Stages

1. Oral Stage (Voluntary)

• Tongue pushes bolus into pharynx.

2. Pharyngeal Stage (Involuntary)

• Soft palate closes nasopharynx.

• Epiglottis closes laryngeal opening.

3. Esophageal Stage (Involuntary)

• Peristaltic waves move food to stomach.

3. Defecation Reflex

Definition

Reflex responsible for evacuation of faces.

Mechanism

1. Rectal distension stimulates stretch receptors.

2. Signals reach sacral spinal cord.

3. Parasympathetic nerves increase rectal contractions.

4. Internal anal sphincter relaxes.

5. Voluntary relaxation of external sphincter causes defecation.

4. Bile Salts and Their Functions

Examples

• Sodium glycocholate

• Sodium taurocholate

Functions

1. Emulsification of fats.

2. Micelle formation.

3. Absorption of fat-soluble vitamins.

4. Stimulates intestinal motility.

Definition
Yellow discoloration of skin, sclera, and mucous membranes due to increased bilirubin.
Types
1. Hemolytic (Pre-hepatic)
2. Hepatic
3. Obstructive (Post-hepatic)
Features
• Yellow skin
• Dark urine
• Itching (obstructive type)

6. Functions of Pancreas

Exocrine Function

• Secretes digestive enzymes.

• Secretes bicarbonate.

Endocrine Function

• Insulin

• Glucagon

• Somatostatin

7. Peptic Ulcer

Definition

Ulceration of gastric or duodenal mucosa due to acid-pepsin digestion.

Causes

• H. pylori

• NSAIDs

• Stress

• Smoking

Symptoms

• Epigastric pain

• Nausea

• Vomiting
8. Peristalsis

Definition

Wave-like contractions that propel food through the GI tract.

Mechanism

• Contraction behind bolus.

• Relaxation ahead of bolus.

Functions

• Propulsion of food.

• Mixing of intestinal contents.

9. Gastrin

Source

G cells of pyloric antrum.

Functions

1. Stimulates HCl secretion.

2. Increases gastric motility.

3. Promotes growth of gastric mucosa.

10. Enterokinase

Source

Brush border of duodenum.

Function

Converts trypsinogen into trypsin, initiating activation of other pancreatic enzymes.

1. Composition, Functions and Regulation of Gastric Secretion

Composition

1. Water

2. HCl

3. Pepsinogen

4. Mucus

5. Intrinsic factor

6. Electrolytes

Functions

• Digestion of proteins

• Bactericidal action

• Vitamin B12 absorption

• Lubrication

Regulation

Cephalic Phase (30%)

• Sight, smell, taste of food

• Vagus nerve

Gastric Phase (60%)

• Distension of stomach

• Gastrin secretion

Intestinal Phase (10%)

• Brief stimulation followed by inhibition

Flowchart

Food → Vagus/Gastrin → Parietal Cells → HCl Secretion

2. Digestion and Absorption of Proteins

Digestion

Stomach

Pepsin converts proteins → proteoses and peptones.

Small Intestine
Trypsin, chymotrypsin and carboxypeptidase convert peptides into amino acids.

Absorption

• Amino acids absorbed by secondary active transport.

• Small peptides absorbed by peptide transporters.

Clinical Importance

Protein malnutrition leads to growth retardation.

3. Functions of Liver

Metabolic Functions

• Carbohydrate metabolism

• Protein metabolism

• Fat metabolism

Secretory Function

• Bile secretion

Storage Function

• Glycogen

• Vitamins A, D, B12

• Iron

Detoxification

• Drugs

• Toxins

Hematological Function

• Plasma protein synthesis

• Clotting factor production

4. Digestion and Absorption of Carbohydrates

Digestion

Mouth → Salivary amylase

Small intestine → Pancreatic amylase

Brush border enzymes:

• Maltase
 • Sucrase

• Lactase

End Products

• Glucose

• Galactose

• Fructose

Absorption

• Glucose/Galactose → SGLT-1

• Fructose → Facilitated diffusion

5. Digestion and Absorption of Fats

Digestion

1. Emulsification by bile salts.

2. Lipase converts triglycerides into fatty acids and monoglycerides.

Absorption

1. Micelle formation.

2. Diffusion into enterocytes.

3. Chylomicron formation.

4. Entry into lacteals.

Importance

Essential for absorption of Vitamins A, D, E and K.

6. Composition, Functions and Regulation of Pancreatic Secretion

Composition

• Water

• Bicarbonate

• Digestive enzymes

Functions

• Digestion of proteins, fats, carbohydrates.

• Neutralization of acidic chyme.

Regulation
Secretin

↑ Bicarbonate secretion

CCK

↑ Enzyme secretion

Vagus Nerve

↑ Pancreatic secretion

7. Composition and Functions of Saliva

Composition

• Water (99.5%)

• Mucin

• Salivary amylase

• Electrolytes

• Lysozyme

Functions

1. Lubrication

2. Digestion

3. Taste

4. Swallowing

5. Speech

6. Oral hygiene

7. Buffering action

Last-Minute Revision Mnemonics

Functions of Liver
B-METS

• Bile secretion

• Metabolism

• Excretion

• Toxin detoxification

• Storage
Functions of HCl
A-BID

• Activates pepsin

• Bactericidal

• Iron absorption

• Denatures proteins

These model answers are structured exactly in the style typically expected for RGUHS BPT
physiology examinations, with definitions, headings, flowcharts, and key points for maximum
scoring.