Normal Gut Function ✅ Flashcards
What are the primary functions of the gut?
To maintain fluid homeostasis and to facilitate absorption of dietary nutrients
What allows the functions of the gut to take place?
Complex mechanisms of secretion, digestion, absorption, and motility
What are the digestive juices secreted throughout the GI tract made up of?
- Water
- Electrolytes
- Enzymes
- Bile salts
- Mucins
What happens if there is excess secretion or failure to reabsorb enough digestive juices?
Either vomiting or diarrhoea results
What is digestion?
The process by which complex food particles are broken down to smaller units that can be absorbed across the gut mucosa
What aids the breakdown of food particles?
Enzymes
What are carbohydrates broken down into before absorption?
Monosaccharides
What are the main sources of dietary carbohydrates?
- Starch
- Glycogen
- Cellulose
Give 3 examples of monosaccharides?
- Fructose
- Glucose
- Galactose
What are proteins broken down into before absorption?
Their constituents amino acids
What are fats broken down into before absorption?
- Monoglycerides
- Fatty acids
Where does absorption of nutrients take place?
Most in the small intestine
What is meant by motility?
The function of the gastrointestinal tract that allows movement of the contents of the intestine in a craniocaudal direction
How does gut motility work?
The food contents stimulates contraction above the food bolus and relaxation below the food bolus to produce craniocaudal progression
