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physiology + pharmacology > digestive system > Flashcards

digestive system Flashcards

1
Q

what is deglutination

A

swallowing

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2
Q

what is digestion

A

the mechanical and chemical process of breaking down food into smaller components to a form which can be used by the body

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3
Q

how long is the digestive system

A

around 9 meters

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4
Q

what is involved in digestion

A

the mixing of food with digestive juices, movement through the digestive tract, breaking down large molecules into smaller ones

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5
Q

where does the digestive tract begin

A

the mouth

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5
Q

what is the role of saliva in digestion

A

lubrication and to start digestion as amylase begins starch digestion

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6
Q

swallowing is initiated by what

A

receptors in wall of pharynx when food or drink is near the back of the mouth

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7
Q

what happens when receptor detect food at the back of the mouth

A

afferent impulses are sent to swallowing centre in the brain stem, the brainstem the relays the signal to the coordinator of the process. interrupting breathing

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8
Q

what are the 3 layers of the oesophagus

A

skeletal muscle (upper third), smooth muscle (lower 2 thirds)

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9
Q

what are both ends of the oesophagus closed by

A

sphincters

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10
Q

what are sphincters

A

circular muscles that open and close to allow the passage of substances and fluids

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11
Q

how is food moved down the oesophagus

A

by peristatic waves - which occur every 9 seconds
secondary peristalsis is where multiple peristaltic waves occur to move food down the oesophagus

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12
Q

what does the epiglottis do during swallowing

A

it moves to cover the trachea to ensure food doesn’t go down the wrong passage causing choking

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13
Q

what is peristalsis

A

a series of mini contractions which occur in the oesophagus that push food down into the stomach

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14
Q

how does peristalsis push food down the oesophagus

A

circular muscles contract behind the food pushing it a long, this follows by the contraction of longitudinal muscles ahead of the food mass, then further contraction in circular muscles forces food mass forward

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15
Q

what is the role of the lower oesophageal sphincter

A

it opens to allow food to pass into the stomach and closes behind it to prevent it coming back up

16
Q

what are the main parts of the stomach

A

fundus, body and antrum

17
Q

give an example for mechanical digestion in the stomach

A

muscle contractions in the stomach wall

18
Q

give an example for chemical digestion in the stomach

A

enzymes and acid, activates enzymes, mucous protection

19
Q

what are the 4 sections the stomach can be divided into

A

cardia, fundus, body/corpus, pylorus

20
Q

what is the cardia section of the stomach

A

where the contents of the oesophagus empty into the stomach

21
Q

what is the fundus section of the stomach

A

formed by the upper curvature of the organ

22
Q

what is the body/cardia section of the stomach

A

the main central region

23
Q

what is the pylorus section of the stomach

A

the lower section of the organ that facilitates emptying the contents into the small intestine

24
Q

what are the 3 mechanical tasks of the stomach

A

Stores the swallowed food and liquids - this is done by the upper muscles relax to allow large volumes of swallowed materials
Mix up the food, liquid and digestive juice produced by the stomach - lower part of the stomach mixes these materials by its muscle action
Empty the contents of the stomach slowly into the small intestine

25
Q

what enzyme does the stomach secrete

A

protease (which is a protein digesting enzyme)

26
Q

what is partially digested food known as

A

chyme

27
Q

what does chyme pass down through to get to the location for the extraction of nutrients

A

through the pyloric sphincter and into the duodenum of the small intestine, where the extraction of nutrients will begin

28
Q

how long does it take the stomach to digest food into chyme

A

40 mins to a few hours

29
Q

what is the movement and flow of chemicals into the stomach controlled by

A

the autonomic nervous system and by various digestive hormones

30
Q

what is gastrin released by

A

G - cells in the stomach in response to distension of the antrum and digestive products

31
Q

what is gastrin inhibited by

A

pH less than 4 (high acidity)

32
Q
A

physiology + pharmacology (13 decks)

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