What are probiotics?

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Probiotics are live bacteria that are beneficial for gut health and are often taken as supplements. They are not indigestible carbohydrates (Choice A), antibiotics (Choice B), or commercial fiber supplements (Choice D). Probiotics contain live strains of good bacteria that help maintain a healthy balance in the gut microbiome.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is H. pylori. This bacterium is known to be associated with the development of peptic ulcers and an increased risk of gastric cancer. Lactobacillus (Choice A) and Bifidobacterium (Choice B) are probiotic bacteria that are beneficial to human health and not associated with causing these conditions. E. coli (Choice D) is a diverse group of bacteria, some of which can be pathogenic, but they are not primarily linked to peptic ulcers and gastric cancer like H. pylori.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is pinocytosis. Pinocytosis is a process where cells in the small intestine absorb nutrients by engulfing them. This process is different from phagocytosis, which involves engulfing large particles, and excretion, which is the removal of waste products. Electrochemical diffusion is not directly involved in the absorption of food in the small intestine.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: portal blood system. After absorption, carbohydrates and proteins are transported via the portal blood system to the liver for further processing and distribution to the rest of the body. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect. Enterohepatic circulation refers to the recycling of compounds between the liver and the intestines, not the direct route for absorbed nutrients. Gastrointestinal circulation is a vague and non-specific term, not specifically related to the transport of absorbed nutrients. The common bile duct is involved in transporting bile from the liver and gallbladder to the small intestine, not the end products of carbohydrate and protein digestion.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Chylomicrons are particles that transport dietary fats from the small intestine to cells in the body. They are cleared from the bloodstream by lipoprotein lipase, an enzyme that breaks down triglycerides in chylomicrons into fatty acids and glycerol. This process allows fats to be absorbed by the body. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because chylomicrons are not formed in the hepatic system, they are composed of various lipids including triglycerides and cholesterol, and they are absorbed in the small intestine, not the large intestine.