Chapter 4: The Digestive System Flashcards
What enzymes break down starch and fat?
Amylase and lipase enzymes.
What is a bolus?
Swallowed mass of food.
What are the 6 flavors our taste buds taste?
Sweet, sour, salty, bitter, fatty, and umami.
What is the epiglottis?
Flap that folds down over larynx when you swallow.
What is the esophagus?
Tube connecting pharynx to stomach.
What is the valve that closes to prevent backflow of hydrochloric acid (HCI) from stomach (reflux)?
Lower esophageal sphincter (LES)
What is gastric juice?
Contains water, (HCI), and pepsin enzymes (pepsin breaks down proteins).
What is gastric juice?
Contains water, (HCI), and pepsin enzymes (pepsin breaks down proteins).
What is chyme?
Gastric juice and partially digested food.
What lubricates and protects the stomach?
Mucus
What is the hormone that stimulates digestion?
Gastrin.
What is the pyloric sphincter?
Exit valve from stomach to intestines, releasing 1 tsp of chyme every 30 seconds.
Is the GI tract smooth?
No, has circular folds for more surface area to digest. As well as villi and microvilli.
What are the 3 segments of the small intestine?
Duodenum (shortest)
Jejunum (most digestion done here)
Ileum (longest, not much left behind)
What is segmentation?
Peristalsis, mixes chyme back and forth for absorption.
What is the absorption rate of nutrients?
92%-97%
After digestion, what are the two transport systems that nutrients go?
Two transport systems:
circulatory system (blood and is water soluble to go everywhere.
Lymphatic system (fat soluble and is very picky more complex doesn’t go everywhere)
What decides where nutrients go, like processing mail at the post office?
The liver through the hepatic portal vein.
Peter’s patches help with what, and what do they create?
Immunity and create antibodies.
What are the 4 things the liver does?
- Produces bile/stores fat
- Metabolizes nutrients
- Stores nutrients (A, B12, D, E; copper, iron, glycogen- glucose storage form)
- Detoxifies alcohols and other toxins
What does the gallbladder do?
Concentrates and stores bile.
What are the 3 things the pancreas produces?
- Hormones
- Enzymes for breaking down
- Bicarbonate for neutralizing stomach acid
What are the two “——crines” of the pancreas?
- Endocrine: produces hormones into bloodstream to regulate blood sugar. Insulin lowers boood sugar in blood, glucagon raises it *while sleep, etc.
- Exocrine: secretes enzymes into the duodenum to help break down food. Regulated by nerves and gastrointestinal hormones.
What are the 4 movements stool moves through in the large intestine?
Ileocecal sphincter, cecum, colon, and rectum
Anus is controlled by what two sphincters?
Internal and external
What does the large intestine absorb?
Water, electrolytes (minerals: potassium, sodium, chloride), and bacteria in the microbiome or “gut”.
What 3 things does the microbiome produce?
- Vitamin K
- Biotin
- Thiamine
What causes intestinal dysbiosis?
Starvation, antibiotic use, and stress.
Fiber and nutrients are metabolized or fermented where?
Gut microbiota. Increased fiber increases gas.
What causes constipation and what can this chronically lead to and what can help decrease constipation?
Lack of fiber, fluids and increased anxiety. May lead to inflamed hemorrhoids or diverticulitis (bulges in intestines). Increased fiber may help.
What causes diarrhea, how to treat it and who are more prone to it?
Bacterial or viral infections. Fluid and electrolytes help avoid solids, and infants and older adults.
Occasional gastroesophageal reflux is called?
Heartburn
Frequent or chronic reflux is called?
GERD gastroesophageal reflux disease.
What causes ulcers in a peptic stomach, what doesn’t, and what is its treatment ?
Caused by Heliobacter pylori- smoking, heavy alcohol, use of NSAIDs like advil. Stress and diet are not related. Antibiotics are used to treat.
IBS has a diagnostic exclusion why?
IBS is a syndrome not a disease so it’s still unknown what causes it. Could be a pain signal, Low FODMAP diet for a short time can help decrease gas in the gut.
Why does a Low FODMAP diet help?
Decreasing these foods helps with gas in stomach because the carbs and sugars are harder to digest.
What is the 2nd leading cause of cancer deaths among adults in the U.S?
Colorectal cancer developed in the colon or rectum from poor diet, smoking, and other digestive issues.
Difference between Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD): Ulcerative Colitis (UC) and Crohn’s Disease (CD)?
Ulcerative is formation of ulcers in the inner lining of the large intestine. Crohn’s disease can affect the entire G.I. tract, including the mouth.
