Module 3: Digestion and Absorption Flashcards
where does digestion occur
gastrointestinal (GI) tract
what does the GI tract consist of
- series of organs
- outer layers of muscles
- inner mucosal layer of glands and absorptive cells
are things in the GI tract (mouth, stomach, intestines) inside or outside the body
- in the GI tract is outside the body
- inside the body would be things in cells, vascular systems, etc
what are the primary organs of the GI tract
- mouth
- esophagus
- stomach
- small intestine
- large intestine
- rectum
what are the accessory organs of the GI tract
- salivary glands
- liver
- pancreas
- gallbladder
why are accessory organs important
although they never come into contact with food, accessory organs are imperative for digestion and absorption
what are the two main functions of the GI tract
- digestion
- absorption
define digestion
- moving food through the GI tract
- breakdown of food into smaller components
- primary site in small intestine
define absorption
crossing the lining of the intestines to enter the body
define transit time
period of time it takes food to travel through the length of the digestive tract
what nutrient can decrease food transit time
fiber
what is the most abundant biopolymer in earth
fiber
define mechanical digestion
- physical break down of food
- chewing, mixing, peristalsis
define paristalsis
wavelike muscular movements that move food through the GI tract
what nerve controls peristalsis
vagus nerve
define chemical digestion
- chemical breakdown of large compounds into smaller units for absorption
- secretions and enzymes
define sphincters
- circular muscles that separate organs of the GI tract
- one-way doors that prevent food from flowing backwards
are sphincters usually contracted or relaxed
always contracting unless food is coming through
how do sphincters relate to surgery
you can’t eat before surgery because the anesthesia may relax your sphincters
what are the 3 main sphincters in the GI tract
- lower esophageal sphincter
- pyloric sphincter
- ileocecal valve
what complications are associated with improper function of sphincters
- heartburn
- vomiting
what nutrients must be digested/broken down before it can be absorbed
- carbohydrates
- proteins
- fats
what form of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats can we absorb
- carbs: monosaccharides
- proteins: amino acids (some dipeptides and tripeptides)
- fats: monoglycerides or free fatty acids
how much of flavor perception is smell
80%
what are the 5 primary tastes
- sweet
- salty
- sour
- bitter
- umami
what is the taste umami
- savory
- from fats and proteins
where do you have taste receptors
- mouth
- nose
- stomach
- small intestine
where does the digestive process begin
mouth
what are two enzymes in saliva and what do they do
- salivary amylase: breaks down carbs
- lingual lipase: breaks down triglycerides into a diglyceride and a free fatty acid
where is food liquified into chyme
stomach
what is chyme
- bolus
- HCL
what is the capacity of the stomach
1 to 4 liters
what is in the stomach’s gastric juices
- HCL
- mucus
- pepsinogen enzyme
- gastrin hormone
which cells make HCL and intrinsic factor (IF)
parietal cells in the stomach
which cells make pepsinogen
chief cells in the stomach
which cells make mucus
goblet cells
explain how is mucus expelled from goblet cells
- as food enters the stomach, blood goes to the GI tract
- the arteries expand and cause pressure to form on the walls on the stomach
- this pressure pushed mucus out of goblet cells
why might you feel cold after eating
blood moves towards your GI tract and away from other areas of the body
what is another name for mucus
mucin
what is mucus composed of
- water
- glycated proteins
what is the purpose of mucus in the stomach
protects the lining of the stomach from HCL
what is the purpose of HCL in the stomach
- denatures proteins
- liquifies foods
- activates enzymes pepsin and lingual lipase
- prepares iron for absorption
what is the purpose of intrinsic factor (IF)
- essential for absorption of vitamin B12
explain how intrinsic factor (IF) works
- IF binds to B12 to protect it from HCL in the stomach
- carries to the ileum and enterocytes on the surface
- binds to receptors on enterocytes
- enterocytes envelop the B12 to absorb it
what is pepsinogen
inactive/deactivated form of pepsin
how is pepsinogen activated to make pepsin
HCL
what is the purpose of pepsin in the stomach
digestion of proteins
what is the purpose of the gastrin hormone in the stomach
controls the movement of the stomach and the secretion of HCL
define rugae in the stomach and their purpose
- folds of tissue in the stomach
- can fold to conserve space or flatten to increase space
how often does the pyloric sphincter open
every 1-3 minutes
how much chyme is deposited from the stomach through the pyloric sphincter and into the small intestine at one time
3 mL of chyme
why does the pyloric sphincter deposit small amounts of chyme into the small intestine at one time
- the chyme is very acidic and the small intestine is more basic
- the small amount allows the chyme to neutralize in the duodenum