Nursing 1005 Flashcards
List Examples of Biomolecules
Proteins, Lipids, Polysaccharides, Nucleic acids, Hormones, Metabolites
What are Monosaccharides?
Smallest unit of carbohydrates.
This includes glucose, fructose, deoxyribose, ribose and galactose.
Combines to form diasaccharides.
What are Disaccharides?
Forms from two monosaccharides and water removed.
This includes lactose, sucrose, maltose.
How are Diasaccharides absorbed?
They are hydrolyzed in the Small Intestine to form Monosaccharides which is absorbed across intestinal wall into the bloodstream
What are Polysaccharides?
Chain of simple sugars linked together via dehydration synthesis.
Includes Glycogen, starch and cellulose.
Use of Polysaccharides in the body - What is Gluconeogenesis?
Used as storage products.
Glycogen is stored in muscle and liver and is release as glucose into the blood when needed
What are Lipids?
Organic molecules which are insoluble in water.
Examples includes triglycerides, phospholipids and cholesterol.
Describe the process of food passing through the digestive system
Food –> Mouth –> Teeth (Mechanical Breakdown) –> Salivary glands excrete saliva containing enzymes that chemically breakdown food –> passes by the pharynx into the oesophagus –> Stomach (continues to chemically and physically breakdown food –> food released to small intestine –> signals release of enzymes stored and produced in the accessory digestive organs (liver, gall bladder, pancreas) –> most nutrients will be absorbed in the Small Intestine where water is absorbed —> waste leaves the body via the rectum and anus
What is the function of the Digestive System
- Reduce particle size
- Helps to absorb micro nutrients and trace elements
- Sets a phyical and immunologic barrier
What does digestion break down?
- Carbohydrates (starch and sugar) –> single sugar molecules
- Proteins –> amino acids
- Fats –> fatty acids, glycerol
How is food moved through the digestive system?
Via peristalsis
What is the role of saliva?
Contains:
- Amylase to break down starch (inactivated in the stomach)
- Lipase begins fat digestion
- Mucus lubricates the food for easier swallowing
- Lysozyme kills bacteria
What is the function of the oesophagus?
- Connects pharynx to stomach
- Peristalsis occurs due to muscle contraction
- Lower oesophageal sphincter stops food from re-entering the oesophagus from the stomach
What is the function of the stomach?
- Lower OS and plyoric sphincter control entry and exit from stomach
- secretion of HCL, enzymes including protease, gastric lipase; mucus, hormone gastrin and intrinsic factor (B12)
What is the function of Stomach Acid?
- Activates digestive enzymes - pepsinogen activated –> pepsin (enzyme that digest proteins)
- Assists in calcium absorption
- makes dietary minerals soluble for absorption
Function of the Small Intestine
- Most digestion and absorption occurs here
- Folded walls with villi projections
- Absorptive cells are located on the villi
Digestive System – The Process of Absorption
- Through SI walls
- Absorbed into blood (water soluble nutrients), Lymph (fat soluble nutrients)
- Blood –> liver (detoxifies and repackages) –> general circulation
What is the function of the Large Intestine?
- No villi or enzymes present
- Little digestion occurs
- Absorption of water, some minerals, vitamins
- Bacteria break down fibre; produce vitamin K
- Formation of faeces for elimination
What is the function of the Rectum?
- Stool remains and stimulates nerve endings for elimination
- Muscle contraction and the opening of the anal sphincter to elimination
- Voluntary control
What is Nausea?
- Sensation of the need to vomit
- Prolonged nausea is debilitating and cause physiological strain
- Can be result of both physical and physiological
Causes and Diagnosis of Nausea
- Anything that slows GI motility can cause nausea
- Result of stimulation of the SNS which decreases blood flow to the GI tract
- Pain, motion, disease and certain medications can also cause nausea
- Diagnosis is difficult, however, its known to be cause by stimulation of the vomiting centre of the brain
What is Vomiting?
- Forceful emptying of stomach contents and intestinal chyme through the mouth
- Vomiting centre is stimulated in the brain which triggers the vomiting reflux
- Stimuli includes severe pain, distention of the stomach or duodenum and trauma to the testes, ovaries, bladder or kidney