Digestion and Absorption extra

Question 1

what are the functions of stomach?

Answer 1

• Storage of food
• Churn and mix food with gastric secretions–>Digestion
• Acid and pepsin secretion
• Slow emptying of digestive contents into small intestine

Question 2

Stomach secretes alkali, what does that help to do?

Answer 2

• Protect against acid damage

* Ulcers caused by Helicobacter pylori

Question 3

Stomach secretes acid (HCl), what does that help to do?

Answer 3

• breakdown of connective tissue, muscle fibres
• activates pepsin
• solubilises calcium and iron
• acts as barrier to microbes

Question 4

Stomach secrets intrinsic factor, what does that help to do?

Answer 4

• Essential for the absorption of vitamin B12

Question 5

What are the types of cell in the small intestine mucosa and what are their functions?

Answer 5

• Absorptive cells: digestive enzymes, absorption
• Goblet cells: produce mucous
• Granular cells (cells of Paneth): enzymes
• Endocrine cells – hormone production

Question 6

Where does the bulk if lipid emulsification takes place?

Answer 6

duodenum of small intestine

Question 7

What are the exocrine functions of the small intestine

Answer 7

pancreatic juice (enzymes)- helps break down fats, carbohydrates and proteins and alkali secretions.

Question 8

What are the endocrine functions of the small intestine

Answer 8

secretion of insulin and glucagon.

Question 9

What are the functions of the liver

Answer 9

• Production and secretion of bile acid and alkaline fluid
• Degradation and conjugation of waste metabolic products
• Detoxification
• Regulation of nutrient metabolism

Question 10

where is bile secreted,synthesised and stored in and released into.

Answer 10

• Secreted in the liver
• synthesised in hepatocytes (liver cells)
• stored in gallbladder
• released into the duodenum after a meal

Question 11

What are the functions of bile acid

Answer 11

• emulsification of fat particles

- help in absorption of fats by forming complexes called micelles

Question 12

What happens to the carbohydrate and protein not digested in the small intestine

Answer 12

It is fermented by the colonic microflora/ gut flora to short chain fatty acids and gases such as:
• Acetic, propionic and butyric acid (short chain fatty acids).
They all have some health benefits and act as an energy source.

Question 13

Where is the enzyme required for lactose digestion found?

Answer 13

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