At what pH does the digestion of protein by pepsin in the stomach require?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: 1.8 and 3.5. Pepsin, an enzyme involved in protein digestion, functions optimally in an acidic environment, specifically between pH 1.8 and 3.5. This low pH is necessary for pepsin to break down proteins effectively. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because pepsin requires a highly acidic environment, ruling out the pH ranges listed in those options.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Hydrochloric acid. Hydrochloric acid in the stomach plays a crucial role in converting pepsinogen into its active form, pepsin, which is necessary for digesting proteins. Bile (Choice A) is involved in the emulsification of fats, not in the activation of pepsinogen. Gastrin (Choice B) is a hormone that stimulates the secretion of gastric acid but does not directly activate pepsinogen. Secretin (Choice C) is a hormone that regulates the pH of the duodenum but is not responsible for the activation of pepsinogen.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Mucus is produced by the salivary glands to moisten food and aid in swallowing. Additionally, the intestinal glands secrete mucus to protect the lining of the intestines. The other choices, esophageal glands, pineal gland, and islets of Langerhans, are not involved in the production of mucus in the digestive system.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: pancreas. Secretin stimulates the pancreas to release bicarbonate, which acts as a buffering solution to neutralize the acid entering the duodenum from the stomach. This process helps in maintaining the pH balance in the small intestine. Choice A, stomach, is incorrect as the stomach does not produce the buffering solution needed for the duodenum. Choice B, liver, is incorrect because secretin does not directly stimulate the liver to produce a buffering solution. Choice D, oxyntic cells, is also incorrect as these cells in the stomach are responsible for producing gastric acid, not the buffering solution needed in the duodenum.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: bile. Bile acts as an emulsifier, breaking down fats into smaller droplets to aid in digestion and absorption. Trypsin is a digestive enzyme that acts on proteins, not fats. Lipase is an enzyme that breaks down fats, but it doesn't act as an emulsifier. Cholecystokinin (CCK) is a hormone that stimulates the release of digestive enzymes, including lipase, but it is not directly involved in emulsification.