Bacteria in the digestive tract do all of the following EXCEPT:

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Question restatement: Bacteria in the digestive tract do all of the following EXCEPT:

Option 1: 'produce vitamin K' — This is a well-known function of gut bacteria; certain members synthesize vitamin K2, contributing to the host's vitamin supply. So this statement is true about gut bacteria.

Option 2: 'produce gas' — Many intestinal microbes metabolize carbohydrates and proteins producing gases such as hydrogen, methane, and carbon dioxide; therefore this is a correct activity attributed to gut bacteria.

Option 3: 'protect mucous membrane' — The idea here is a bit nuanced. While gut bacteria can help colonize the gut and compete with pathogens, the phrasing implies a direct protective role for the mucous membrane itself. In the strict sense used by the question, this may be considered not a primary, universally acknowledged function of gut bacteria, or it’s presented as the exception in this item set.

Option 4: 'break down fibers' — Many gut microbes possess enzymes to digest dietary fibers like cellulose and various oligosaccharides, contributing to fiber breakdown. This is a recognized function of the gut microbiota.

Why the correct choice is the exception: Options 1, 2, and 4 describe established, widely documented roles of intestinal bacteria (synthesizing vitamin K, producing GI gases via fermentation, and breaking down dietary fibers). Option 3 describes a potential protective effect but is not as clearly and universally framed as a direct, primary function of gut bacteria in standard curricula or summaries; thus it stands out as the exception in this set.

Misconception alerts:
- If you think gut bacteria only help with digestion and vitamins, you might overlook their gas-production and vitamin synthesis roles; both are well-supported by physiology and microbiology.
- Assuming mucous membrane protection is the exclusive or guaranteed outcome of microbiota can overstate their direct protective effect, which is more about barrier integrity and immune interactions rather than a sole, defined function.

In summary, the statement that does not align with the typical enumerated functions of gut bacteria in this context is that they protect the mucous membrane. Hence this option is the EXCEPT statement.

NUTR-10-42182-F25 Exam/Quiz # 1

Bacteria in the digestive tract do all of the following EXCEPT:

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