Are you what you eat? Flashcards
What is an Enzyme?
- A protein catalyst that increases the rate at which a chemical reaction proceeds, without the enzyme being permanently changed.
- Highly specific – Active site on an enzyme can only bind to specific reactant.
- Many different enzymes needed in the body for different chemical reactions.
What does lipase, protease, amylase breakdown?
- Lipase- enzyme that breaks down lipids
- Protease- breaks down proteins
- Amylase- breaks down carbohydrates
What is Enzyme Action?
The enzyme brings the two reacting molecules together. After the reaction, the unaltered enzyme can be used again.
What is the Digestive Tract called?
Digestive tract: also called alimentary tract.
What are Accessory Organs?
Accessory organs: Primarily glands, secrete fluids into tract.
What are the organs of the Digestive System?
- Oral cavity (mouth) with salivary glands.
- Pharynx (throat).
- Oesophagus
- Stomach
- Small Intestines (duodenum, ileum, jejunum) with liver, gall bladder & pancreas as accessory organs.
- Large Intestine including cecum, colon, rectum & anal canal.
- Anus
What are the functions of the Digestive System?
- Ingestion: Introduction of food into stomach (via mouth).
- Mastication: Chewing. Chemical digestion requires large surface area so breaking down large particles mechanically facilitates chemical digestion.
- Secretion: Lubricate, liquefy, digest (e.g. Mucus: secreted along entire digestive tract, lubricates food, coats and protects lining).
- Digestion: Mechanical and chemical digestion of food into nutrients.
- Absorption: Movement of nutrients out of digestive tract into cells.
- Elimination: Waste products removed from body; faeces. Defecation.
What is the Histology of the Digestive System?
- Mucosa: innermost layer, secrets mucus.
- Submucosa: connective tissue layer, contains blood vessels, nerves etc.
- Muscularis: 2/3 muscle layers, movement & secretion.
- Serosa / Adventitia: outermost layer, connective tissue, stability.
What is Peritoneum?
The walls & organs of the abdominal cavity are lined with serous membranes.
What is the Visceral Peritoneum & Parietal Peritoneum?
- Visceral Peritoneum-Covers organs.
- Parietal Peritoneum-Covers interior surface of body wall.
What is Mesenteries?
Mesenteries-Peritoneum (epithelial tissue) which connects organs together. Routes by which vessels & nerves pass from body wall to organs.
What is Greater & Lesser Omentum?
- Greater Omentum-Connects stomach to transverse colon.
- Lesser Omentum-Connects stomach to liver & diaphragm.
What does the Oral Cavity do in Digestion?
- Digestion begins in the oral cavity (mouth).
- Hard Palate: Hard bone, anterior.
- Soft palate: Soft muscle, posterior.
- Tongue
- Teeth
- Masticate (chew) food and turn it into a bolus.
What are the sets & types of teeth?
-Two sets:
Primary, Milk- Childhood
Permanent or Secondary- Adult (32)
-Types: Incisors, canines, premolars, molars
What do the Salivary Glands do in Digestion?
- Salivary glands (green) – produce & secret saliva into the oral cavity.
- Saliva – protects oral cavity, moistens, lubricates and digests food.
- Amylase – enzyme found in saliva that breaks down carbohydrates into smaller sugars.
- Lysozyme – antibacterial enzyme
What doe the Pharynx connect to and what does Uvula do?
-Pharynx (throat) – connects oral cavity to the oesophagus.
oUvula (soft palate) prevents food/drink from entering the nasopharynx.
What is the Oesophagus and what does the Epiglottis do?
-Oesophagus – tube that connects pharynx to stomach. 25cm long, lies posteriorly to the trachea.
oEpiglottis prevents food/drink from entering the trachea.
What are the phases of Swallowing?
- Voluntary phase: Tongue pushes bolus to back of oral cavity towards pharynx (oropharynx).
- Pharyngeal phase: Soft palate (Uvula) close off the nasopharynx. Bolus touches receptors on oropharynx and swallowing reflex moves bolus down pharynx and into oesophagus. Epiglottis covers trachea.
- Oesophageal phase: bolus is moved down oesophagus towards stomach by peristalsis.
What is Peristalsis and the process?
- Process by which food moves through the gut. Waves of smooth muscle relaxations & contractions.
1. A wave of smooth muscle relaxation moves ahead of the bolus, allowing the digestive tract to expand.
2. A wave of contraction of the smooth muscle behind the bolus propels it through the digestive tract.
What does the Stomach do in Digestion?
- Located in abdomen. ‘holding point’ for food.
- Food comes from the oesophagus and the stomach mixes it (churns) into chyme (thick liquid).
- Produces mucus, hydrochloric acid, protein digesting enzymes (pepsin).
- Contains a thick mucus layer that lubricates and protects epithelial cells on stomach wall from acid pH 2-3.
What are the openings in the stomach?
- Gastroesophageal (cardiac): to oesophagus
- Pyloric: to duodenum
What are the parts of the stomach?
- Cardiac
- Fundus
- Body
- Pyloric: antrum and canal
What are the layers of the stomach?
-Visceral peritoneum or serosa
-Muscularis: three layers
o Outer longitudinal
o Middle circular
o Inner oblique
-Submucosa
-Mucosa
-Rugae: folds in stomach wall that allow stomach to stretch after eating
What are the movements if the stomach?
- 3 muscular layers enable churning of food. Make Chyme.
- Combination of mixing waves (80%) and peristaltic waves (20%)
- Both oesophageal and pyloric sphincters are closed.
- Stomach empties every 4hrs (6-8 after a fatty meal)
What does the Small Intestine do in Digestion?
- Very long ~6m, small diameter.
- Large surface area for efficient absorption of nutrients.