GI physiology Flashcards
What does EAR stand for?
Estimated average requirement
what does LRNI stand for?
Lower reference nutrient intake
what does URNI stand for?
Upper reference nutrient intake
what percentage of energy comes from fat store?
80-90%
how much protein do we require daily?
0.75g/kg/day
what are the 9 essential amino acids?
Methionine, valine, histidine, leucine, phenylalanine, tryptophan, isoleucine, lysine, threonine
how many calories does 1g of fat give you?
9
why are fats important other than energy?
precursors for important molecules eg hormones
why do you need omega 3+6?
prevent heart disease
what are the macronutrients in your diet?
protein, lipids, carbohydrate
why are vitamins important in a diet?
mostly coenzymes that are needed for normal metabolic function. Cannot be synthesised in the body
why are minerals in the diet important?
have important physiological functions.
eg iron in haem, calcium in signalling etc
what are the 3 main reasons nutritional deficiencies arise?
Inadequate intake
inadequate absorption
Excess loss/increased requirement
what is vitamin B1, what is its role and what does a deficiency cause?
Thiamin, cofactor in decarboxylation, Beri-Beri (muscle weakness + nerve damage)
what is vitamin B2, what is its role and what does a deficiency cause?
riboflavin, helps make FAD, stomatitis
what is vitamin B3, what is its role and what does a deficiency cause?
niacin, helps make NADH, Pellagra (diarrhoea, depression, dermatitis)
what is vitamin B5, what is its role and what does a deficiency cause?
pantothenic acid, helps make Coenzyme A, deficiency very rare.
what is the role of biotin?
carrier for CO2
what is vitamin B6, what is its role and what does a deficiency cause?
pyridoxal phosphate, cofactor for protein production, irritable + depression + confusion
what is vitamin B9, what is its role and what does a deficiency cause?
folic acid, carbon transfer in dna synthesis, neural tube defects
what is vitamin B12, what is its role and what does a deficiency cause?
cobalamin, collagen synthesis, macrocytic anaemia
what is vitamin C, what is its role and what does a deficiency cause?
ascorbic acid, collagen synthesis, scurvy
vitamin E, what is its role and what does a deficiency cause?
antioxidant in lipid membranes, rare - can cause haemolytic anaemia + thrombocytosis
vitamin K, what is its role and what does a deficiency cause?
cofactor for clotting cascade, causes haemorrhagic diseases
vitamin A, what is its role and what does a deficiency cause?
is a collection of retinoids - aloows you to see, can cause xerophthalmia (keratinisation of cornea) + blindness
vitamin D, what is its role and what does a deficiency cause?
used in bone formation, causes rickets in kids and osteomalacia in adults
how long is the gut tube?
8-9m
What are the 6 functions of the GI tract?
Ingestion mechanical processing digestion secretion absorption excretion
what is the peritoneum and what is its function?
lines the abdominal cavity (parietal) and covers organs (visceral). it forms mesenteries and secretes peritoneal fluid for lubrication.
what is the function of mesenteries?
suspend and support organs to prevent tangling
carries blood vessels, nerves, lymph to the GI tract
what are the 4 layers of the gut tube?
mucosa, submucosa, muscularis externa, serosa
what is the mucosa split up into?
epithelium and lamina propria
what features are found in the submucosa?
arteries, veins, lymph, submucosal plexus
what features are found in the muscularis externa?
circular muscle, longitudinal muscle layers, myenteric plexus
what is the serosa the same thing as?
visceral peritoneum
how must all active processes cross cells?
transcellularly
what are the 3 ways passive processes can occur?
non-coupled (down electrochemical gradient)
via pores or channels
facilitated diffusion via transporters
what is Primary active transport?
transport requires energy from ATP and goes against gradient
what is secondary active transport?
co-transport where the transport of 1 down electron gradient allows another at the same time
which system has neural control of the gut?
Autonomic
How does Parasympathetic effect the gut?
increases digestion (stimulatory)
which parasympathetic nerves control the foregut and midgut?
vagus
which parasympathetic nerves control the hindgut?
splanchnic nerves (S2-S4)
how does sympathetic effect the gut?
inhibitory effect
What plexuses make up the enteric system and what does this system do?
made up of myenteric and submucosal plexi
provides local regulation and control
what are slow waves?
regular oscillations in the resting potential
what are slow waves controlled by?
ICC cells and cells of cajal
what are ICC cells?
single layer in plexus regions - connect smooth muscle cells via gap junctions
what is the function of the hard palate in mastication?
provides an anvil for tongue to mash food against
what is the function of the soft palate in swallowing?
directs bolus of food into oesophagus
what are the 4 functions of saliva?
lubrication + cleaning
facilitation of taste
protection against acid + bacteria
digestion
how is saliva regulated?
neural control. Parasympathetic makes it watery, sympathetic makes it mucoid.
controlled by salivary centre in brain
where is saliva produced?
parotid, submandibular and sublingual glands
how is saliva produced?
starts as isotonic fluid (mainly NaCl, protein and mucus)
salt reabsorbed making it hypotonic and alkaline
rate of travel down duct changes the extent of this