Exam 4: Digestive & Reproductive Flashcards
Large Intestine Functions
H2O Absorption
Feces Transportation
NO Nutrient Absorption
Full of Bacteria
Haustrum
“Bulbs” of the Large Intestine
Ileocecal Valve
Allows chyme to enter the Cecum
Structures of the Anal Canal
Rectal Valve: Prevents feces from passing with flatus (gas)
External Anal Sphincter: Skeletal muscle under voluntary control
Internal Anal Sphincter: Smooth muscle under involuntary control
Ileoanal Juncture
If the LI is removed (due to cancer or other complications), the Ileum is connected to the anus. When this happens, H2O cannot be reabsorbed, thus diet must be modified.
Bacterial Flora in the Large Intestine
Bacteria enter from the Small Intestine or Anus, colonizing in the Colon
Bacteria ferment indigestible carbohydrates, release irritating acids and gases, and synthesize B complex vitamins and vitamin K
If the bacteria enter the blood, it could lead to death
Haustral Contractions
Segmentation contractions that occur at random
Not like Peristaltic Contractions, which are wave-like from one end to the other
Haustral Contractions are good for mixing the contents of the LI and they occur slowly to allow surface area contact, promoting more H2O reabsorption
Functions of contractions in the small intestine
Mixes chyme with intestinal juice to neutralize acid and digest nutrients more effectively
Churns chyme to allow contact with mucosa for contact digestion & nutrient absorption
Moves residue toward the large intestine
Neural Control of Defecation
Stretch receptors in the Sigmoid Colon send signals to the spinal cord
The spinal cord stimulates a reflex that contracts the rectum and relaxes the internal sphincter
The brain can keep the external sphincter contracted until it is appropriate or until the rectum stretches too much
Intestinal Motility
Segmentation occurs in the Small Intestine until only undigested residue remains. At this point, peristaltic contractions begin to move the residue to the Large Intestine
Microvilli in the Small Intestine
Extensions of the intestine wall cells that increase surface area, thus increasing contact with intestinal contents. They promote more secretion and absorption. Contact digestion breaks macros down into their simplest forms then absorption can occur
Carbohydrate Digestion
Starches & Disaccharides are ingested
Salivary Amylase begins digestion in the mouth
Pancreatic Amylase digests in the small intestine
Macromolecules are broken down into Oligosaccharides & Disaccharides
Brush Border Enzymes in the SI break Oligosaccharides & Disaccharides into Lactose, Maltose, & Sucrose
Lactose & Sucrose are broken down into Galactose, Glucose, & Fructose
Glucose, Galactose, & Fructose enter the bloodstream
Protein Digestion
Proteins are ingested
Pepsin breaks proteins into smaller polypeptides in the stomach
Polypeptides enter the Small Intestine
Pancreatic Enzymes such as Trypsin & Chymotrypsin break polypeptides into smaller oligopeptides
Carboxypeptidase removes one amino acid at a time from the end of an oligopeptide
Brush Border Enzymes in the SI break small peptides & polypeptides into amino acids, dipeptides, & tripeptides
Amino Acids enter the bloodstream
Fat Digestion
Fats are ingested
Fat globules have pieces of Bile Acid that stick to it, breaking the globule into smaller droplets
Pancreatic Enzyme lipase digests the triglyceride droplets, creating free fatty acids and monoglycerides
FFAs & Monoglycerides are coated with Bile Salts to form Micelles. Micelles are the smallest forms of fats before absorption via diffusion
In the SI epithelium, FFAs & Monoglycerides are either combined into Triglycerides or Chylomicrons and released
After diffusion, FFAs & Monoglycerides recombine into chylomicrons, which enter lacteals (lymph vessels) which carry the fats away from the intestine
Nucleic Acid Digestion
Nucleic Acids are ingested, go through the stomach, and enter the Small Intestine
Pancreatic Ribonuclease & Deoxyribonuclease break down RNA & DNA in the SI
Brush Border Enzymes break Nucleic Acids down further into Pentose sugars, N-containing bases, & Phosphate ions
Vitamin Absorption
In the small intestine:
- Fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, & K) diffuse into absorptive cells
- Water-soluble vitamins (C & B) are absorbed by diffusion or via passive or active transporters
- Vitamin B12 binds with intrinsic factor & is absorbed by endocytosis
In the large intestine
- Vitamin K & B vitamins are absorbed via bacterial metabolism
Gametes
Sex cells produced by each parent
They are unique compared to every other cell in the body
Sperm & Eggs are Haploid, containing only 1/2 of the genetic information each
Male Secondary Sex Characteristics
Facial hair, coarse & visible hair on the torso & limbs, relatively muscular physique
Female Secondary Sex Characteristics
Distribution of body fat, breast enlargement, and relatively hairless appearance of the skin
Secondary Sex Characteristics of Both Sexes
Pubic & Axillary Hair & associated Scent Glands, Pitch of the voice
Androgen-Insensitivity Syndrome
An XY-carrying individual will have testes present in the abdomen at birth which produce a normal level of testosterone. The target cells, however, lack receptors for it. This results in female genitalia developing as if no testosterone is present. The individual will not menstruate or develop a uterus.
Chromosomal Sex Determination
22 pairs of autosomes
1 pair of sex chromosomes
Males produce half Y-carrying sperm and half X-carrying sperm
Females carry all X-carrying eggs (NO Y)
Prenatal Sexual Differentiation
Gonads begin to develop at 5-6 weeks, before that there is no sexual differentiation
Estrogen does not determine sex
The lack of androgen (testosterone) causes female development in the fetus
The male urethra gets longer around 7-8 weeks
Around birth, the testes flip downward in males but remain up in the body to form ovaries in females
Male Reproductive Anatomy
Scrotum: Hangs outside the body because sperm production can only occur at temperatures lower than the body’s core
Epididymis: Storage compartment for sperm
Vas Deferens: Peristaltic contractions occur to propel sperm to the urethra
Ejaculatory Duct: The duct where sperm enters the urethra. NOT URINARY DUCT
Corpus Cavernosum: Erectile Tissue that sits on the top side of the penis. 2 columns
Corpus Spongiosum: Erectile Tissue that surrounds the urethra