Accessory Organs of Digestive System Flashcards
•pancreas •gall bladder •liver •bile production and storage •pancreatic enzymes
What are the four main accessory organs of the digestive system?
- salivary glands
- pancreas
- liver
- gall bladder
What is the main function of the pancreas?
Produces many digestive enzymes and secretes them into the duodenum.
Which cells of the pancreas secrete pancreatic juice?
Acinar cells
The pancreas is a gland that functions in which two systems?
- endocrine system
- exocrine system
Enteropeptidase is a brush border enzyme of the duodenum that has a major effect on the pancreas. What effect does this enzyme have?
Converts trypsinogen (inactive form) into trypsin (active form).
Once trypsin is active, it activates all other zymogens of the pancreas.
Which pH does the pancreas and its enzymes best function at?
pH of 8.5
Which pancreatic enzyme (once activated) activates ALL other pancreatic enzymes?
Trypsin
Trypsin is activated by enteropeptidase, a brush-border enzyme of the duodenum.
What is the main function of the liver as an accessory organ of the digestive system?
Produces/synthesizes bile
Bile is composed of bile salts, pigments (bilirubin) and cholesterol.
In addition to synthesizing bile, what are some other functions of the liver?
- detoxification (modifies ammonia into urea)
- storage and mobilization of fats
- glycogenesis and glycogenolysis
- activation/deactivation of medications
- synthesis of albumin and clotting factors
What is the function of the gall bladder?
Stores bile
When necessary, it contracts and releases bile into the small intestine.
What is the function of bile?
Emulsifies fat into micelles
These micelles increase the surface area of the fats, increasing the rate at which lipase can act and break them down.
In the digestive system, which two secretions ensures the proper digestion of fats?
- bile: emulsifies fats
- pancreatic lipase: breaks down triglycerides (fats) into free fatty acids and glycerol
