Digestive System (Lecture) Flashcards
Primary function of the digestive system:
break down food mechanically and by the use of enzymes so that it can be used by the body for energy and cell growth and repair
Catabolism of organic molecules:
polymer to monomer
Alimentary Canal:
mouth, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, anus
Accessory organs:
tongue, teeth, salivary glands, liver, pancreas, gall bladder
Accessory organs have to be stimulated by:
nerve impulses or hormones
Digestive system processes/functions:
ingestion, mechanical digestion and chemical digestion, propulsion/movement, absorption, elimination
Term for the physical breakdown of food:
mechanical digestion (chewing, grinding, etc.)
Term for the use of enzymes to break down food:
chemical digestion
What process increases the surface area of food?
mechanical digestion
During chemical digestion, what breaks down the food into monomers?
enzymes
Three main types of digestive enzymes:
amylase, protease, lipase
What enzyme breaks starch down into glucose?
amylase
What enzyme breaks protein down into amino acids?
protease
What enzyme breaks fats down into fatty acids and glycerol?
lipase
Basic monomers of carbohydrates/polysaccharides:
glucose, fructose, galactose
One of the most common lipids in our diet:
triglycerides
Four layers of the Alimentary canal (begin with layer closest to the lumen):
mucosa, submucosa, muscularis, serosa
Layer of the alimentary canal that contains nerves and glands:
submucosa
Layer of the alimentary canal that has at least two layers of smooth muscle:
muscularis
Smooth muscle layers of the muscularis:
longitudinal muscle and circular muscle layer
Where is the myenteric nerve plexus located that controls the contraction and movement process?
smooth muscle of the alimentary canal
Movement/contractile process that is carried out to get food through the alimentary canal:
peristalsis
Network of connective tissues and epithelial tissues of the alimentary canal:
serosa
Specialized serous membrane that holds the organs in place:
peritoneum
Peritoneal membrane coming from the lower part of the stomach to the pelvic cavity:
greater omentum (contains a lot of fat for insulation)
Part of the peritoneum attached to the small intestine:
mesentery
Part of the peritoneum attached to the large intestine:
mesocolon
Saliva is secreted by what three major pairs of salivary glands?
parotid (by ear), sublingual (under tongue), submandibular (under the jaw)
Fluid formed by the three major salivary glands:
saliva
Functions of saliva:
lubrication, solvent, antibacterial property from lysozyme, digestion of complex carbs, neutralization of acid (contains bicarbonate)
Saliva contains:
enzymes
Two enzymes found in saliva:
amylase, lipase
What enzyme begins the chemical breakdown of carbohydrates?
amylase
____ are large polymers of carbohydrates.
starches
What enzyme works to break down lipids?
lipase
A triglyceride contains:
glycerol compound and three fatty acids
Primary lipid in the body:
triglyceride
Teeth and tongue are in charge of what kind of digestion?
mechanical digestion
deglutition means:
swallowing
Three steps of deglutition:
voluntary phase (occurs when food is in the mouth), pharyngeal phase (involuntary), esophageal phase
Deglutition center in the brain controls:
constriction muscles for the pharyngeal phase of deglutition to prevent choking
Serves as a passageway for air and food and where peristalsis begins:
pharynx
Sphincter where esophagus is connected to the stomach and closes off the entrance to the stomach to prevent HCl from splashes up to the lower part of the esophagus:
lower esophageal sphincter
Condition where lower esophageal sphincter remains open:
GERD
Highest section of the stomach:
fundus
Narrowed area of the stomach that approaches the small intestine:
antrum
The antrum attaches to the small intestine at the ____.
pyloric canal
Sphincter between stomach and small intestine (duodenum):
pyloric sphincter
Term for food in the area of the duodenum characterized as a semi-solid, soapy mixture:
chyme
The secretions from the stomach come from which layer?
mucosa
The mucosa contains ____glands:
gastric