DS: Overview and Gut Wall Flashcards
What is the main role of the digestive system?
Responsible for the sequential processing of food into smaller elements for absorption by intestinal mucosal cells. Responsible for meeting the energy needs of the body by converting macromolecules (in their polymeric form) to their corresponding subunits for energy and ATP production in the mitochondria
What are the main organs of the digestive system?
- Oral cavity
- Pharynx
- Oesophagus
- Stomach
- Small intestine
- Large intestine (colon)
What are the accessory organs of the digestive system?
- Teeth
- Tongue
- Salivary glands
- Liver
- Gall bladder
- Pancreas
What are the 3 main salivary glands?
- Parotid gland
- Sublingual Glands
- Submandibular gland
What is the role of the oral cavity in the digestive system?
Serves as an entrance to the alimentary canal and initiates the digestive process by salivation and propulsion of the food bolus to the pharynx for deglutition. Begins the digestion of carbs and lipids though lingual lipase and salivary amylase.
What is the role of the small intestine in the digestive system?
Largely responsible for the uptake of nutrients and minerals from food
What is the role of the large intestine in the digestive system?
Largely responsible for the uptake of water. Excessive water uptake can led to constipation.
What is the role of the teeth is the digestive system?
Responsible for mechanical digestion.
What is the role of the tongue in the digestive system?
Responsible for manipulating food and positioning it near the teeth for mechanical digestion, and propelling the bolus towards the pharynx for swallowing.
What is the role of the liver in the digestive system?
Responsible for bile production
What is the role of the gall bladder in the digestive system?
Stores bile, produced by the liver, until it is needed for the digestion of fatty foods in the duodenum of the small intestine
What is the role of the pancreas in the digestive system?
Production of hormones responsible for blood glucose production and the production of pancreatic juice to aid in digestion.
What is the role of the parotid salivary gland?
Major salivary gland. Secretes serous saliva through the parotid duct into the mouth to facilitate mastication and deglutition and initiate the digestion of carbs.
What is the role of the sublingual salivary gland?
Smallest, most diffused glands. Provide only 3-5% of the total salivary volume.
What is the energy requirement of the human body at rest?
30 kcal per kg of body weight
What are the main processes carried out by the digestive system to release energy from food?
Ingestion Propulsion Mechanical digestion Chemical digestion Secretion Absorption
What is ingestion?
The process of introducing food and liquid nutrients into the digestive system via the oral cavity
What is propulsion?
The process that moves food through the digestive system at a rate that permits optimal digestion and absorption
How is propulsion achieved?
Peristalsis and deglutition
What does deglutition mean?
Swallowing
What triggers peristalsis?
Induced by (mechanical) distension of the gut wall which is registered by pressure receptors.