The smell of croissants in a bakery would trigger the __________ phase of gastric secretion.

• A. post-absorptive
• B. intestinal
• C. cephalic
• D. gastric

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the phases of gastric secretion. Gastric secretion is divided into three phases: cephalic, gastric, and intestinal. Each phase is triggered by specific stimuli and involves different mechanisms.
2. Step 2: Define the cephalic phase. The cephalic phase is initiated by sensory stimuli such as the sight, smell, taste, or thought of food. These stimuli activate the central nervous system, particularly the vagus nerve, which signals the stomach to prepare for digestion by secreting gastric juices.
3. Step 3: Relate the sensory stimulus in the problem to the cephalic phase. The smell of croissants in a bakery is a sensory stimulus that would activate the cephalic phase of gastric secretion, as it involves the brain's response to external cues related to food.
4. Step 4: Differentiate the cephalic phase from the other phases. The gastric phase is triggered by the presence of food in the stomach, while the intestinal phase is initiated when chyme enters the small intestine. Neither of these phases is related to sensory stimuli like smell.
5. Step 5: Conclude that the correct answer is the cephalic phase, as it is the phase directly associated with sensory stimuli such as the smell of food.