Gastrointestinal physiology: practice question

A Physiology question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Physiology · Gastrointestinal physiology

Sample item

What is the principal role of intrinsic factor?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

B. Enable vitamin B12 absorption in terminal ileum

Intrinsic factor from gastric parietal cells binds vitamin B12 and permits receptor-mediated absorption in the terminal ileum.

Option by option

  • A. Digest dietary fat in stomach

    Fat digestion needs lipases.

  • B. Enable vitamin B12 absorption in terminal ileum (correct)

    Correct: IF is essential for ileal B12 uptake.

  • C. Emulsify lipids in duodenum

    Bile salts emulsify fat.

  • D. Stimulate pancreatic bicarbonate

    Secretin stimulates bicarbonate.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this Physiology question

What is the answer to this Physiology question?

The best answer is B, Enable vitamin B12 absorption in terminal ileum. Intrinsic factor from gastric parietal cells binds vitamin B12 and permits receptor-mediated absorption in the terminal ileum.

Why is "Digest dietary fat in stomach" not the answer?

Fat digestion needs lipases.

Why is "Emulsify lipids in duodenum" not the answer?

Bile salts emulsify fat.

Why is "Stimulate pancreatic bicarbonate" not the answer?

Secretin stimulates bicarbonate.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Gastrointestinal physiology in Physiology. The correct option holds because: Correct: IF is essential for ileal B12 uptake.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Gastrointestinal physiology?

For each system, sketch the key graph (pressure–volume loop, oxygen dissociation curve, nephron handling) and explain it aloud. Then use the flashcards and the other Physiology questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.