1. 1
   A patient swallows a small camera capsule that travels through the alimentary canal, recording images as it passes through the mouth, oesophagus, stomach, small intestine and large intestine in turn.

   (a)

   In which organ would the camera first observe food being churned and mixed with acidic digestive juices?

   [1 mark]

   • AThe oesophagus
   • BThe stomach
   • CThe small intestine
   • DThe large intestine

   (b)

   As the camera passes into the small intestine, it records two named regions in sequence. Which pair correctly names these regions of the small intestine, in the order the camera would pass through them?

   [1 mark]

   • AColon, then rectum
   • BOesophagus, then stomach
   • CIleum, then duodenum
   • DDuodenum, then ileum

   (c)

   Name two organs associated with the digestive system that are not part of the alimentary canal itself, but which release secretions into it, and state one of these secretions.

   [2 marks]

   Total for question 1: 4 marks

2. 2
   A biology teacher asks students to trace the pathway of a mouthful of bread through the digestive system, describing five key processes: ingestion, digestion, absorption, assimilation and egestion.

   (a)

   Which term describes the taking of food into the mouth?

   [1 mark]

   • AIngestion
   • BDigestion
   • CAbsorption
   • DEgestion

   (b)

   Which term describes the movement of digested glucose molecules from the small intestine into the bloodstream?

   [1 mark]

   • AEgestion
   • BIngestion
   • CAbsorption
   • DAssimilation

   (c)

   Describe what is meant by assimilation and egestion, using the digestion of the bread as your example.

   [2 marks]

   Total for question 2: 4 marks

3. 3
   A medical illustrator is preparing a description of the digestive system for a textbook, without using any diagrams.

   (a)

   State the correct order in which food passes through the parts of the alimentary canal, from the mouth to the anus.

   [3 marks]

   (b)

   Explain the roles of the salivary glands, pancreas, liver and gall bladder in supporting digestion, even though they are not part of the alimentary canal itself.

   [4 marks]

   Total for question 3: 7 marks

4. 4
   A patient has had their gall bladder surgically removed due to illness, though their liver continues to function normally.

   (a)

   Explain the roles of the alimentary canal organs (mouth, stomach, small intestine and large intestine) in the overall processes of digestion, absorption and egestion, and explain how removal of the gall bladder specifically might affect the digestion of a fatty meal.

   [6 marks]

   (b)

   Explain how the processes of assimilation and egestion continue to occur normally in this patient after gall bladder removal, and discuss why the overall functioning of the digestive system depends on the coordinated action of both the alimentary canal and its associated organs, rather than the alimentary canal alone.

   [6 marks]

   Total for question 4: 12 marks

End of questions