Free Gastrointestinal Physiology MCQs with Answers

44 Gastrointestinal Physiology MCQs from Physiology, each with the correct answer and a written explanation of why it is correct. Free and unlimited, with no account needed.

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  • A. Liver
  • B. Stomach
  • C. Pancreas
  • D. Duodenum

Explanation: Intrinsic factor is secreted by gastric parietal cells and binds vitamin B12 before its absorption in the terminal ileum.

Correct answer: Stomach
  • A. None of the aboveConsult Online Doctors
  • B. Lateral and medial to food bolus
  • C. Dorsal and ventral to food bolus
  • D. Above and below the food bolus

Explanation: A distended segment of gut contracts above the bolus while the segment below relaxes, propelling contents forward.

Correct answer: Above and below the food bolus
  • A. Intrinsic factor
  • B. Secretin
  • C. Motilin
  • D. GIPGet Study Guides

Explanation: Intrinsic factor is produced by gastric parietal cells, not enteroendocrine cells.

Correct answer: Intrinsic factor
  • A. Chymotrypsinogen
  • B. Pepsinogen
  • C. Proelastase
  • D. Procolipase

Explanation: Trypsin activates several pancreatic zymogens, including chymotrypsinogen, proelastase and procolipase.

Correct answer: Pepsinogen
  • A. Gastric juice
  • B. Bile in gall bladder
  • C. Pancreatic juice
  • D. Saliva

Explanation: Pancreatic juice is strongly alkaline because it contains a high concentration of bicarbonate, usually giving it a pH around 8.

Correct answer: Pancreatic juice
  • A. Cephalic phase of gastric secretion
  • B. Pancreatic secretion of bicarbonate
  • C. Bile flow from liver
  • D. Mucous secretion from the Brunner's glands

Explanation: The cephalic phase of gastric secretion is initiated by sight, smell, taste or thought of food and is mediated mainly through vagal…

Correct answer: Cephalic phase of gastric secretion
  • A. Pancreas
  • B. Duodenum
  • C. Liver
  • D. Stomach

Explanation: Secretin is released by S cells in the duodenal mucosa when acidic chyme enters from the stomach.

Correct answer: Duodenum
  • A. Preperistalitic intestinal secretion
  • B. Simultaneous action of circular and longitudinal muscles
  • C. Mecharical distension
  • D. Extrinsic nervous influenceOrder DNA Kits

Explanation: Mechanical distension of the intestinal wall initiates the local peristaltic reflex through the enteric nervous system.

Correct answer: Mecharical distension
  • A. Neuro hormones
  • B. Hormones
  • C. Vagus
  • D. Gastric

Explanation: The cephalic phase is initiated by sight, smell, taste, or thought of food and is carried mainly through vagal stimulation of gastric…

Correct answer: Vagus
  • A. Acid chyme
  • B. Dilattion of intestine
  • C. Protein
  • D. Fat

Explanation: Acidic chyme entering the duodenum is the strongest stimulus for secretin release from S cells.

Correct answer: Acid chyme
  • A. Increase concentration of bile
  • B. Contraction of the gallbladder
  • C. Increase secretion of bile
  • D. Favours acidification of bile

Explanation: Cholagogues promote gallbladder contraction and relaxation of the sphincter of Oddi, causing bile to enter the duodenum.

Correct answer: Contraction of the gallbladder
  • A. Vagus nerve
  • B. Meissners plexus
  • C. Myentric plexus
  • D. Parasympathetic

Explanation: The myenteric plexus mainly coordinates gastrointestinal smooth-muscle activity, including peristalsis.

Correct answer: Myentric plexus
  • A. Brunner's glands
  • B. Pyloric glands
  • C. Gastric glands
  • D. Fundic glands

Explanation: Fundic, or oxyntic, glands occupy most of the body and fundus of the stomach and are therefore the most numerous gastric glands.

Correct answer: Fundic glands
  • A. Stomach
  • B. Parotid
  • C. Pancrease
  • D. Gall bladder

Explanation: Vagal stimulation promotes gastric, pancreatic, and gallbladder activity, but parotid secretion is controlled mainly by the…

Correct answer: Parotid
  • A. Enterokinase
  • B. Trypsin
  • C. Low pH
  • D. Chymotrypsin

Explanation: Pepsinogen is converted to active pepsin in the strongly acidic gastric lumen, with the low pH also allowing pepsin to activate more…

Correct answer: Low pH
  • A. Is a reflex mechanism
  • B. Vocal cords are closed
  • C. Is a voluntary mechanism
  • D. A and B

Explanation: The pharyngeal phase is an involuntary reflex triggered when the bolus reaches the pharynx, and closure of the vocal cords protects the…

Correct answer: A and B
  • A. Hepatocytes
  • B. Kupffer cells
  • C. Hepatic duct
  • D. The gall bladder

Explanation: Hepatocytes synthesize bile, which then flows through the hepatic ducts to the gallbladder for storage and concentration.

Correct answer: Hepatocytes
  • A. Destruction of bacteria
  • B. Neutralization of chyme
  • C. Activation of pepsinogen
  • D. Stimulation of pancreatic secretion

Explanation: Hydrochloric acid converts pepsinogen into pepsin, providing the acidic pH required for protein digestion.

Correct answer: Activation of pepsinogen
  • A. Gastrin by stomach
  • B. Pancreatic enzymes
  • C. Amylase by salivary gland
  • D. HCL by stomach

Explanation: Histamine acts on H2 receptors of gastric parietal cells and increases hydrochloric acid secretion through cyclic AMP.

Correct answer: HCL by stomach
  • A. Glucuronic acid
  • B. Glutamine
  • C. Acetyl CoA
  • D. Glycine

Explanation: In hepatocytes, bilirubin is conjugated with glucuronic acid by UDP-glucuronosyltransferase, forming water-soluble bilirubin glucuronides…

Correct answer: Glucuronic acid

Gastrointestinal Physiology MCQs: common questions

Are these Gastrointestinal Physiology MCQs free?

Yes. All Gastrointestinal Physiology MCQs from Physiology are free on TestUstad, with unlimited attempts and no account needed. Nothing on this page is a sample or a trial.

How many Gastrointestinal Physiology MCQs are on this page?

There are 44 Gastrointestinal Physiology MCQs in the Physiology bank, shown 20 to a page with the correct answer and an explanation on each.

Does every Gastrointestinal Physiology MCQ have an explanation?

Yes. Each Gastrointestinal Physiology question shows the correct option and a written explanation of why it is correct, so a wrong answer teaches you something rather than just being marked wrong.

Can I take a timed Gastrointestinal Physiology test?

Yes. The practice button on this page starts a free Gastrointestinal Physiology test drawn from the Physiology bank. It marks each answer instantly, gives you a score at the end, and can be retaken as many times as you like.