Ijmb Model Questions Vol1 2017 Biology Question 5

Practice essay / theory question 5 from the 2017 Ijmb Model Questions Vol1 Biology examination. This question covers Transport, Digestive system, Cellular transport .

Ijmb Model Questions Vol1 2017 Biology Essay / Theory
Topics: Transport Digestive system Cellular transport
Question 5 IJMB_MODEL_QUESTIONS_VOL1 • 2017 • BIOLOGY • essay

A 22‑year‑old medical student is studying the processes involved in the transport of nutrients from the gastrointestinal tract into the bloodstream.

Question Parts

( a )
Explain how the structural specialisations of the small‑intestinal mucosa (villi and microvilli) facilitate the absorption of glucose.
( b )
The concentration of glucose in the intestinal lumen is 15 mM while that in the adjacent capillary blood is 5 mM. Discuss how the concentration gradient and the possibility of transporter saturation influence the rate of glucose uptake.
( c )
For the sodium‑glucose cotransporter (SGLT1) the maximal transport rate (Vmax) is 2.0 µmol·min⁻¹·g⁻¹ of intestinal mucosa and the Michaelis constant (Km) is 3 mM. Calculate the rate of glucose uptake when the lumen concentration is 15 mM. Show all steps and comment on whether the transporter is saturated.

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About This Question

This is Ijmb Model Questions Vol1 2017 Biology Question 5. It is one of the essay questions from the 2017 Ijmb Model Questions Vol1 Biology examination.

The question covers Transport, Digestive system, Cellular transport .

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