Gastrointestinal System (Avian)

Question 1

Which structure do birds lack?

Answer 1

Diaphragm

Question 2

What is the difference between a protein based and fibre based diets’ intestine

Answer 2

Protein based = short intestine

Fibre based = long intestine

Question 3

Describe 3 features of a pigeon’s digestive system

Answer 3

Crop has extensive mucous glands
Well developed gizzard
Long intestines
Distinct caecum for microbial digestion

Question 4

what is the function of the caecum

Answer 4

Microbial digestion (of fibre, nutrients etc)

Question 5

Name 3 features of a fruit eaters digestive system

Answer 5

Less differentiated stomachs
Shorter intestines
More rudimentary (basic/ less developed) caeca

Question 6

Name 3 features of a raptors digestive system

Answer 6

Well developed proventriculus
Rudimentary gizzard
Short intestine
Well developed pancreas
Rudimentary caecum

Question 7

What is the function of the proventriculus

Answer 7

Part of the stomach that secretes digestive enzymes and is used for storage

Question 8

What is the function of the gizzard

Answer 8

Muscular part of the gizzard that uses grit to grind grains and fibre into smaller particles

Question 9

Why do raptors have a rudimentary gizzard

Answer 9

Because the gizzard’s function is to grind down grains and fibre but a raptor mainly eats protein and therefore doesn’t require it as significantly

Question 10

Describe the structure of the avian GI tract (7)

Answer 10

Crop
Oesophagus 
Proventriculus 
Ventriculus (Gizzard)
Duodenum
Jejunum
Ileum

Question 11

What is the crop and it’s function

Answer 11

It is an expanded, muscular pouch near the gullet/ throat

It is used to temporarily store food

Question 12

What is special about avian tongues

Answer 12

They are thick to help pick up food and manipulate it

Question 13

Name 3 features of avian oral cavities

Answer 13

Thick tongue
Bristles to collect pollen and nectar (sometimes)
Numerous salivary glands

Question 14

What is the difference between fish eaters and seed eaters salivary glands

Answer 14

Fish eaters = less developed salivary glands + less of them

Seed eaters = more salivary glands, more developed

Question 15

Why are salivary glands more developed in seed eaters than fish eaters?

Answer 15

Because saliva has amylase to break down starch whereas fish eaters don’t eat as much starch

Question 16

what is a key difference in the location of the oesophagus in birds and mammals

Answer 16

In birds the oesophagus lies to the right of the neck

In mammals it lies to the left

Question 17

which bird species does not have a crop

Answer 17

owls

Question 18

what action moves food down the oesophagus

Answer 18

peristaltic waves

Question 19

where is the crop found

Answer 19

in the oesophagus/ to the end

Question 20

is the crop dilatable?

Answer 20

yes

Question 21

Which bird species can produce crop milk?

Answer 21

Pigeons

Question 22

What are the two sections of the avian stomach?

Answer 22

Gizzard and proventriculus

Question 23

What is the gizzard also known as

Answer 23

ventriculus

Question 24

What is the muscular/ glandular structure of the proventriculus

Answer 24

Cranial area = glandular

caudal area = muscular

Question 25

How is a parrot's gizzard particularly adapted?

Answer 25

very muscular Contains grit Internal surface os covered with a cuticle

Question 26

What are pellets

Answer 26

The regurgitation of prey material residue

Question 27

What is the difference between raptor and owl pellets

Answer 27

Raptors contain almost no bony material | Owls contain a lot

Question 28

Where are pellets formed

Answer 28

in the gizzard

Question 29

What is the function of the intestines

Answer 29

For enzymatic digestions | Food absorption

Question 30

What 3 structures make up the small intestine

Answer 30

Ileum jejunum Duodenum

Question 31

What structures make up the large intestines in birds?

Answer 31

a short colon | pair of caeca (caecum)

Question 32

What is the function of the large intestine

Answer 32

Water and electrolyte reabsorption

Question 33

Describe avian villi

Answer 33

Birds have short villi that extend into lumen of the colon

Question 34

What is the function of the villi

Answer 34

to absorb nutrients from food

Question 35

Where does the avian digestive system terminate?

Answer 35

the cloaca

Question 36

What is the cloaca

Answer 36

The terminal portion of the urogenital tract and the alimentary tract

Question 37

What is the corprodeum

Answer 37

the joining between cloaca and rectum

Question 38

what is the urodeum

Answer 38

the area that contains openings of the genital and urinary tract

Question 39

What is the proctodeum

Answer 39

forms the vent and has dorsal access to the cloacal bursa

Question 40

Which 3 digestive enzymes do avian species have

Answer 40

Amylase Lipase Protease

Question 41

What 2 hormones does the avian pancreas produce

Answer 41

Insulin | Glucagon

Question 42

Where are insulin and glucagon produced

Answer 42

Pancreas

Question 43

What is the main metabolic organ in the body

Answer 43

the liver

Question 44

What is the function of the liver

Answer 44

``` Produces bile main metabolic organ of the body Removal of toxins stores nutrients produces haemostatic factors ```

Question 45

Which bird species lacks a gallbladder

Answer 45

Parrots