Digestion and Absorption 1 Flashcards
What are the General Functions of the GI Tract
Digestion- physical and Chemical Secretion Expulsion Protection (immune system) Motility Storage Absorption- the ultimate goal as needed for growth and repair
Physical Processes of Digestion
Chewing, peristalsis, segmentation
What is Peristalsis
The wavelike, rhythimic muscular contractions of the GI tract that move chyme down its tract
Which muscles are involved in peristalsis
Circular muscles which give alternating waves of contraction
What is segmentation
Periodic squeezing and partitioning of the SI which mixes the chyme and promotes close contact with digestive juices and absorbing cells
Which muscles are involved in segmentation
Longitudinal muscles which move materials back and forth to aid in mixing
Extrinsic control of GI tract
Sympathetic and parasympathetic nerves (vagus nerve in PS which is stimulated by smell, sight and taste of food)
Intrinsic control of GI tract
The enteric nervous system made up of the myenteric plexus and submucosal plexus
Role of the myenteric plexus
Largely motor in fucntion
Role of the submucosal plexus
Largely sensory in function
What is chemical digestion aided by
Digestive enzymes
What is chemical digestion regulated by
Hormones
What substances make up intestinal secretion
Enzymes, acid, base, bile, mucus
What are enzymes
Protein compounds which catalyse hydrolysis but are not altered in the process. They are compatible with a specific compound or nutrient, each has an optimal pH range and each has an optimal temperature
What type of acid is found where
HCl is found in the stomach
What type of base is found where
Bicarbonate is found in the small intestine
Where is bile produced
Liver
Where is bile stored
Gall bladder
What is hydrolysis
The cleavage of chemical bonds by the addition of water
What are proteins broken down into
Amino acids
What are carbohydrates broken down into
Monosaccharides
What are fats broken down into
Monoglycerides and free fatty acids
What is pH
The concentration of hydrogen ions in solution. The more H+ ions the more acidic, conversely the more OH- ions the more basic. Each enzyme functions best within a certain pH range.
Where does digestion occur
Mouth, stomach, small intestine, large intestine.
What is the role of teeth
Physical digestion
What is the role of saliva
Chemical digestion
What is the role of amylase
To break down starch into small sugar molecules (5%)
What is the role of lingual lipase
To break down fats, however this only happens in minuscule amounts
Where is lingual lipase secreted
von Ebner’s glands
Which enzymes are secreted in the mouth
Amylase and lingual lipase
What is found in gastric juice
Water, HCl, enzymes, hormones, intrinsic factor (B12) and rennin.
Which cells secrete HCl and where are they found
Parietal cells in the gastric pit
Where is mucus secreted and what is its function
Secreted near the cells and is an alkaline substance and so protects the stomach wall
Which enzymes are present in the stomach?
Pepsin and gastric lipase
Which cells secrete the stomach enyzmes
Chief cells
What is pepsinogen
An inactive form of the enzyme pepsin
What are the 3 roles of hydrochloric acid
To break down the connective tissue or muscles in meat.
To activate pepsinogen to form pepsin.
To act as a defence mechanism in killing micro-organisms
What is the role of rennin
To coagulate milk enabling the access of nutrients
Rennin is found in adults- true or false
False, it is important in newborns and isn’t found in adults
What substances are absorbed in the stomach
Only some lipid-soluble compounds and weak acids such as alcohol and asprin
What is found in the stomach
Gastric juice, mucus
What enters the small intestine
Chyme
What are the three parts of the small intestine
Duodenum, jejunum and ileum
How long is the duodenum
10-12 inches