HOSA Foundations of Nutrition Practice Test 2026 – Your All-in-One Guide to Exam Success!

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Which secretion of the stomach mucosa is essential for vitamin B12 absorption?

Intrinsic factor

Intrinsic factor, produced by the stomach’s parietal cells, is essential for vitamin B12 absorption. It binds B12 in the stomach to form a complex that travels to the terminal ileum, where specific receptors take up the complex into enterocytes for absorption. Without intrinsic factor, vitamin B12 cannot be efficiently absorbed, leading to pernicious anemia. Other stomach secretions have different roles: gastrin stimulates acid secretion, pepsin digests proteins, and mucus protects the stomach lining; none are required for B12 uptake.

Gastrin

Pepsin

Mucus