1. Technically speaking, ingested food is not in the body. Neither are feces excreted from within the body (except bile residue). Explain these statements. Why would this information be important to a drug company interested in preparing a new oral medication?

2. What is the function of bicarbonate in the pancreatic juice? Explain why stress ulcers are more likely to be located in the duodenum than in the stomach.

3. A treatment that was once popular for morbid obesity was intestinal bypass surgery, a procedure that removed fairly long portions of the jejunum and ileum. Can you explain why this procedure would help someone lose weight?

4. Your aerobics instructor tells you that exercise helps to prevent constipation. Is the instructor correct? Can you think of any plausible explanation?

5. You go to an out-of-control party and see that some of the partygoers have gotten so inebriated that they are vomiting. Why would drinking to excess have this effect on the body?

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