Absorption of nutrients MCQs With Answer

Absorption of nutrients MCQs With Answer is an essential study set for B.Pharm students focusing on the mechanisms and sites of nutrient uptake, transporter proteins, and clinical factors that influence drug–nutrient interactions. This concise, exam-oriented introduction covers intestinal anatomy, transporter families (SGLT, GLUT, PEPT1, DMT1, FATP), lipid micelle formation, lymphatic transport, vitamin and mineral absorption, and pathological conditions affecting uptake. Ideal for revision and competitive exams, these MCQs reinforce biochemical pathways, pharmacokinetic implications, and therapeutic considerations relevant to pharmacy practice. Now let’s test your knowledge with 50 MCQs on this topic.

Q1. Which intestinal segment is the primary site for iron absorption in humans?

• Duodenum
• Jejunum
• Ileum
• Colon

Correct Answer: Duodenum

Q2. SGLT1 is primarily responsible for the intestinal uptake of which nutrient?

• Fructose
• Glucose and galactose
• Amino acids
• Fatty acids

Correct Answer: Glucose and galactose

Q3. Which transporter mediates facilitated diffusion of fructose across enterocytes?

• GLUT2
• GLUT5
• PEPT1
• SGLT2

Correct Answer: GLUT5

Q4. PEPT1 primarily transports which of the following across the intestinal epithelium?

• Di- and tripeptides
• Monosaccharides
• Long-chain fatty acids
• Vitamins B and C

Correct Answer: Di- and tripeptides

Q5. Which process best describes transcellular absorption?

• Movement between cells via tight junctions
• Endocytosis into the bloodstream without cell entry
• Transport of substances directly through enterocytes
• Passive diffusion through the mucus layer only

Correct Answer: Transport of substances directly through enterocytes

Q6. Bile salts are essential for absorption of which class of nutrients?

• Water-soluble vitamins
• Short-chain fatty acids
• Long-chain triglycerides
• Monosaccharides

Correct Answer: Long-chain triglycerides

Q7. Which enzyme is critical for digestion of triglycerides in the intestine?

• Pepsin
• Lipase
• Amylase
• Trypsin

Correct Answer: Lipase

Q8. Chylomicrons transport absorbed lipids from enterocytes to which system initially?

• Portal vein
• Lymphatic system
• Hepatic artery
• Renal vein

Correct Answer: Lymphatic system

Q9. Vitamin B12 absorption requires which factor produced in the stomach?

• Intrinsic factor
• Gastrin
• Haptocorrin
• Enterokinase

Correct Answer: Intrinsic factor

Q10. Hepcidin regulates iron absorption by acting on which protein?

• DMT1
• Ferroportin
• Transferrin
• Ferritin

Correct Answer: Ferroportin

Q11. Passive diffusion of lipophilic drugs across the intestinal membrane is primarily influenced by which factor?

• Molecular charge at physiological pH
• Membrane transporter expression
• Lipophilicity (log P)
• Peptide bond formation

Correct Answer: Lipophilicity (log P)

Q12. The primary route for absorption of medium-chain fatty acids is:

• Incorporation into chylomicrons and lymphatic transport
• Direct uptake into portal blood bound to albumin
• Endocytosis into M cells
• Active transport via FATP2

Correct Answer: Direct uptake into portal blood bound to albumin

Q13. Which transporter is important for uptake of ferrous iron (Fe2+) into enterocytes?

• DMT1
• FPN1
• Transferrin receptor
• SGLT1

Correct Answer: DMT1

Q14. Which vitamin’s absorption is enhanced by bile salts and dietary fat?

• Vitamin C
• Vitamin B6
• Vitamin D
• Folic acid

Correct Answer: Vitamin D

Q15. Which mechanism describes paracellular transport?

• Transport across enterocytes via vesicles
• Movement through tight junctions between adjacent cells
• Carrier-mediated uptake across the apical membrane
• Enzymatic degradation prior to absorption

Correct Answer: Movement through tight junctions between adjacent cells

Q16. Which protein extrudes xenobiotics and can limit oral drug absorption by efflux at the apical membrane?

• PEPT1
• P-glycoprotein (P-gp)
• SGLT1
• GLUT2

Correct Answer: P-glycoprotein (P-gp)

Q17. Enterohepatic circulation primarily involves recycling of:

• Chylomicrons
• Bile salts
• Insulin
• Pepsinogen

Correct Answer: Bile salts

Q18. Which brush border enzyme converts disaccharides to monosaccharides?

• Lipase
• Sucrase-isomaltase
• Peptidase
• Nuclease

Correct Answer: Sucrase-isomaltase

Q19. Absorption of which mineral is regulated by active vitamin D (calcitriol)?

• Iron
• Calcium
• Potassium
• Sodium

Correct Answer: Calcium

Q20. Which condition most directly reduces surface area for absorption in the small intestine?

• Hypersecretion of bile
• Atrophy of villi (e.g., celiac disease)
• Increased gastric motility
• Pancreatic enzyme excess

Correct Answer: Atrophy of villi (e.g., celiac disease)

Q21. Which transporter facilitates basolateral exit of absorbed glucose from enterocytes?

• SGLT1
• GLUT2
• PEPT1
• DMT1

Correct Answer: GLUT2

Q22. Which statement best describes micelle formation in the intestine?

• Micelles form from bile salts and enable solubilization of lipophilic molecules
• Micelles are protein complexes that transport iron
• Micelle formation reduces lipid absorption
• Micelles are vesicles produced by enterocytes for peptide transport

Correct Answer: Micelles form from bile salts and enable solubilization of lipophilic molecules

Q23. Which factor decreases oral drug absorption by chelation in the gut?

• Grapefruit juice
• Divalent cations like calcium and iron
• High-fat meals
• Proton pump inhibitors

Correct Answer: Divalent cations like calcium and iron

Q24. Which glycoprotein binds vitamin B12 in the stomach before intrinsic factor?

• Transcobalamin II
• Haptocorrin (R-protein)
• Pepsin
• Enterokinase

Correct Answer: Haptocorrin (R-protein)

Q25. Which transport process requires ATP directly at the epithelial cell membrane?

• Secondary active transport via SGLT1
• Facilitated diffusion via GLUT2
• Primary active transport via Na+/K+ ATPase
• Paracellular passive diffusion

Correct Answer: Primary active transport via Na+/K+ ATPase

Q26. Which molecule is predominantly responsible for emulsification of dietary fats?

• Pancreatic amylase
• Bile salts
• Gastric acid
• Intrinsic factor

Correct Answer: Bile salts

Q27. Which peptide transporter is exploited by certain β-lactam prodrugs to improve oral absorption?

• GLUT5
• PEPT1
• P-gp
• SGLT2

Correct Answer: PEPT1

Q28. Which vitamin is absorbed primarily in the terminal ileum together with bile salt–mediated micelles?

• Vitamin C
• Vitamin B12
• Vitamin B1
• Vitamin B2

Correct Answer: Vitamin B12

Q29. Which of the following decreases absorption of fat-soluble vitamins?

• Increased bile salt concentration
• Pancreatic insufficiency
• High dietary fat
• Efficient micelle formation

Correct Answer: Pancreatic insufficiency

Q30. Which transporter is involved in uptake of many organic anions, including some drugs, at the intestinal brush border?

• OATP (organic anion transporting polypeptide)
• SGLT1
• P-gp
• GLUT2

Correct Answer: OATP (organic anion transporting polypeptide)

Q31. First-pass metabolism affects oral bioavailability by metabolism in which organs?

• Kidney and muscle
• Liver and intestinal wall
• Pancreas and spleen
• Brain and lungs

Correct Answer: Liver and intestinal wall

Q32. Which tight junction protein family influences paracellular permeability?

• Claudins
• Integrins
• Cytokeratins
• Cadherins

Correct Answer: Claudins

Q33. Which clinical condition increases unabsorbed fatty acids in stool leading to steatorrhea?

• Excessive bile salt production
• Pancreatic exocrine insufficiency
• Enhanced micelle formation
• Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth only

Correct Answer: Pancreatic exocrine insufficiency

Q34. Which ion gradient is primarily utilized by secondary active transporters like SGLT1?

• H+ gradient established by proton pumps
• Na+ gradient maintained by Na+/K+ ATPase
• Cl- gradient via CFTR
• K+ gradient via K+ channels

Correct Answer: Na+ gradient maintained by Na+/K+ ATPase

Q35. Which fatty acid transport protein facilitates uptake of long-chain fatty acids into enterocytes?

• FATP (fatty acid transport protein)
• SGLT2
• PEPT1
• GLUT1

Correct Answer: FATP (fatty acid transport protein)

Q36. Which drug-food interaction is correctly paired with its effect on absorption?

• Tetracycline + milk decreases tetracycline absorption due to chelation
• Grapefruit juice increases P-gp activity leading to reduced drug levels
• High-fat meal always reduces absorption of lipophilic drugs
• Antacids increase B12 absorption by raising gastric pH

Correct Answer: Tetracycline + milk decreases tetracycline absorption due to chelation

Q37. Which molecule carries absorbed vitamin B12 in the plasma to tissues?

• Haptocorrin
• Intrinsic factor
• Transcobalamin II
• Transferrin

Correct Answer: Transcobalamin II

Q38. Which component of intestinal mucosa increases absorptive surface area most significantly?

• Crypts of Lieberkühn
• Villi and microvilli
• Submucosal glands
• Muscularis propria

Correct Answer: Villi and microvilli

Q39. Which transporter is responsible for hepatic uptake of some orally absorbed drugs and bile salts from portal blood?

• PEPT1
• OATP
• P-gp
• SGLT1

Correct Answer: OATP

Q40. Which vitamin is absorbed by passive diffusion and does not require specific transporters in usual dietary amounts?

• Vitamin B12
• Vitamin C
• Vitamin K
• Vitamin D

Correct Answer: Vitamin C

Q41. Which cellular organelle in enterocytes is most involved in packaging lipids into chylomicrons?

• Golgi apparatus
• Mitochondrion
• Ribosome
• Peroxisome

Correct Answer: Golgi apparatus

Q42. Which transporter mediates uptake of bile acids into ileal enterocytes for enterohepatic recycling?

• ASBT (apical sodium–dependent bile acid transporter)
• SGLT1
• GLUT5
• P-gp

Correct Answer: ASBT (apical sodium–dependent bile acid transporter)

Q43. In the context of nutrient absorption, what is “first-pass effect”?

• Pre-digestion of nutrients in the stomach
• Metabolism of orally absorbed substances by intestinal wall and liver before reaching systemic circulation
• Absorption of nutrients via lymphatics bypassing the liver
• Enzymatic inactivation of bile salts

Correct Answer: Metabolism of orally absorbed substances by intestinal wall and liver before reaching systemic circulation

Q44. Which ion’s reduced absorption is a hallmark of fat malabsorption due to lack of micelles?

• Magnesium
• Calcium
• Chloride
• Phosphate

Correct Answer: Calcium

Q45. Which bacterial overgrowth mechanism can impair fat-soluble vitamin absorption?

• Bacterial deconjugation of bile salts reducing micelle formation
• Bacterial production of intrinsic factor analogues
• Increased host bile salt synthesis
• Enhanced pancreatic enzyme secretion

Correct Answer: Bacterial deconjugation of bile salts reducing micelle formation

Q46. Which is the major carrier protein for iron in plasma following absorption?

• Ferritin
• Transferrin
• Hemosiderin
• Albumin

Correct Answer: Transferrin

Q47. Which absorption pathway allows intact proteins or large particles to cross the intestinal epithelium, especially in neonates?

• Transcytosis via endocytosis
• Simple diffusion
• Facilitated diffusion via GLUT transporters
• Paracellular transport via claudins

Correct Answer: Transcytosis via endocytosis

Q48. Which hormone increases pancreatic enzyme secretion and bicarbonate release to aid nutrient digestion?

• Gastrin
• Secretin and cholecystokinin (CCK)
• Insulin
• Glucagon

Correct Answer: Secretin and cholecystokinin (CCK)

Q49. Which condition causes decreased vitamin B12 absorption due to lack of intrinsic factor?

• Pernicious anemia
• Iron-deficiency anemia
• Hypervitaminosis A
• Beriberi

Correct Answer: Pernicious anemia

Q50. Which statement best explains how lymphatic transport can affect oral drug bioavailability?

• Lymphatic transport targets drugs for renal excretion before systemic circulation
• Lymphatic absorption allows lipophilic drugs to bypass hepatic first-pass metabolism, increasing systemic availability
• Lymphatic uptake always decreases drug absorption due to slow flow
• Only hydrophilic drugs use lymphatic transport

Correct Answer: Lymphatic absorption allows lipophilic drugs to bypass hepatic first-pass metabolism, increasing systemic availability

G S Sachin

I am a Registered Pharmacist under the Pharmacy Act, 1948, and the founder of PharmacyFreak.com. I hold a Bachelor of Pharmacy degree from Rungta College of Pharmaceutical Science and Research. With a strong academic foundation and practical knowledge, I am committed to providing accurate, easy-to-understand content to support pharmacy students and professionals. My aim is to make complex pharmaceutical concepts accessible and useful for real-world application.

Mail- Sachin@pharmacyfreak.com