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The small intestine possesses permanent folds along its length known as

A. plicae circulares

B. haustra

C. villi

D. intestinal crypts

Answer Explanation:

A. plicae circulares

- Correct: The small intestine possesses permanent folds along its length known as plicae circulares, also called circular folds or valvulae conniventes. These folds are permanent transverse ridges of the mucosa and submucosa that project into the lumen of the small intestine. They increase the surface area for absorption and digestion by slowing the passage of chyme and increasing contact between chyme and the intestinal lining, facilitating nutrient absorption.

B. haustra

- Incorrect: Haustra are pouches or sacculations formed by the muscularis externa of the colon (large intestine), not the folds of the small intestine.

C. villi

- Incorrect: Villi are finger-like projections of the mucosa of the small intestine that extend into the lumen. While villi increase the surface area for absorption, they are not permanent folds along the length of the small intestine.

D. intestinal crypts

- Incorrect: Intestinal crypts, also known as crypts of Lieberkühn, are invaginations of the epithelium located between villi in the mucosa of the small intestine. They contain stem cells that continuously divide and give rise to new epithelial cells, helping to replenish the epithelial lining of the intestine. Crypts are not permanent folds along the length of the small intestine.

Therefore, the Correct Answer is A.

More Questions on TEAS 7 Science

  • Q #1: Most of the nutrient absorption along the alimentary canal occurs in the

    A. ascending colon

    B. stomach

    C. jejunum

    D. ileum

    Answer Explanation

    C. jejunum

    - Correct: Most of the nutrient absorption along the alimentary canal occurs in the jejunum, which is the middle segment of the small intestine. The jejunum has a highly folded inner surface covered with finger-like projections called villi and even smaller microvilli. These structures greatly increase the surface area available for absorption. The epithelial cells lining the villi contain numerous transport proteins and enzymes responsible for absorbing nutrients such as carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals into the bloodstream for distribution to the body's cells.

    A. ascending colon

    - Incorrect: The ascending colon is part of the large intestine (colon) where water and electrolytes are primarily absorbed, but it is not a major site of nutrient absorption.

    B. stomach

    - Incorrect: While some substances, such as water, electrolytes, alcohol, and certain drugs, can be absorbed in small amounts in the stomach, the stomach is not a major site of nutrient absorption. Its main function is to begin the digestion of proteins and store food temporarily.

    D. ileum

    - Incorrect: The ileum is the final segment of the small intestine, and while it does participate in nutrient absorption, the majority of nutrient absorption occurs in the jejunum, which precedes the ileum along the alimentary canal. The ileum primarily absorbs bile salts, vitamin B12, and some remaining nutrients not absorbed in the jejunum.

  • Q #2: The graph below shows the effect of environmental temperature on a girl's skin temperature and on her internal body temperature. Which statement best describes what happens as environmental temperature increases from 20ºC to 30ºC?

    A. Both the internal and the skin temperatures reach 40ºC.

    B. Both the internal and the skin temperatures increase by about 7ºC.

    C. The skin temperature decreases to about 30ºC.

    D. The internal temperature increases by about 1ºC.

    Answer Explanation

    D) The internal temperature increases by about 1ºC.

    - Correct: As environmental temperature increases from 20ºC to 30ºC, the body's internal temperature tends to increase slightly. This is due to the body's thermoregulatory mechanisms, which work to maintain a relatively constant internal temperature (around 37ºC or 98.6ºF) despite fluctuations in environmental temperature. When the environmental temperature rises, the body responds by increasing blood flow to the skin and by initiating mechanisms such as sweating to dissipate heat and maintain thermal equilibrium. However, the increase in environmental temperature may result in a slight increase in internal temperature, typically by about 1ºC, as the body works to dissipate excess heat.

    A) Both the internal and the skin temperatures reach 40ºC.

    - Incorrect: A 10ºC increase in environmental temperature from 20ºC to 30ºC is not likely to cause both internal and skin temperatures to reach 40ºC. Such a significant increase would likely lead to heatstroke or hyperthermia, which can be life-threatening.

    B) Both the internal and the skin temperatures increase by about 7ºC.

    - Incorrect: A 10ºC increase in environmental temperature is not likely to cause both internal and skin temperatures to increase by about 7ºC. Such a large increase in temperature would be excessive and would likely lead to severe heat-related illnesses.

    C) The skin temperature decreases to about 30ºC.

    - Incorrect: In response to an increase in environmental temperature, the body typically increases blood flow to the skin and initiates mechanisms such as sweating to dissipate heat. This would not result in a decrease in skin temperature to match the environmental temperature of 30ºC.

  • Q #3: . Parietal cells secrete ________.

    A. gastrin

    B. hydrochloric acid

    C. pepsin

    D. pepsinogen

    Answer Explanation

    b) hydrochloric acid

    - Correct: Parietal cells, also known as oxyntic cells, secrete hydrochloric acid (HCl) into the stomach lumen. HCl plays a critical role in the digestive process by creating an acidic environment necessary for the activation of pepsinogen to pepsin and for the breakdown of food proteins. Parietal cells also secrete intrinsic factor, which is essential for the absorption of vitamin B12 in the small intestine.

    a) gastrin

    - Incorrect: Gastrin is a hormone secreted by G cells in the gastric glands of the stomach. It stimulates the secretion of gastric acid (HCl) by parietal cells and promotes gastric motility and emptying.

    c) pepsin

    - Incorrect: Pepsin is an enzyme that digests proteins by breaking them down into smaller peptides. Pepsin is formed from the precursor molecule pepsinogen, which is secreted by chief cells in the gastric glands. Parietal cells do not directly secrete pepsin.

    d) pepsinogen

    - Incorrect: Pepsinogen is the inactive precursor of pepsin. It is secreted by chief cells in the gastric glands of the stomach. Pepsinogen is activated to pepsin by the acidic environment created by hydrochloric acid secreted by parietal cells.