Physiology of the Gastrointestinal Tract and Introduction to Gut Microbiome Flashcards
Big picture functions of the GI Tract?
- Transporting food by-products
- Breaking down and absorbing food by-products
- Decontaminating the food and maintaining appropriate relationship with live non-human cells
3 basic movements that take place along the GIT?
- Peristalsis
- Segmentation
- Migrating motor complex (MMC)
Waves of smooth muscle contraction that propel food bolus throughout entire GI tract?
Peristalsis
What produces rhythm of peristalsis? Where is it located?
Interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) - in myenteric plexus
Peristalsis involves _____ behind (proximal) the food bolus and _______ in front (distal) of the food bolus
Contraction; Relaxation
Function of peristalsis?
Propel food further along the GI tract
Some problems with Peristalsis? (3)
- Esophageal spasms
- Atonic colon
- Gastroparesis
Coordination of smooth muscle cells and interstitial cells of Cajal?
Segmentation
Where does segmentation occur?
Within the Small and Large Intestines
Function of segmentation?
Promotes mixing food particles to increase their interaction between villi and promotes absorption
Small movement, almost a vibration, that occurs predominantly during fasting 1.5-2 hr intervals
Migrating motor complex (MMC)
Where does MMC occur mainly?
Stomach and Small Intestine
What is MMC movement promoted by?
Motilin - secreted by Mo-cells in teh duodenum
Function of MMC?
Self-cleaning mechanism = dislodges food and bacteria from walls
What may a lack of MMC cause?
SIBO
What are the “pacemakers of the GI Tract”?
Interstitial Cells of Cajal (ICC)
Where are ICC’s found?
Throughout the entire GI Tract
ICC’s form a network with each other and smooth muscles via _______, as well as ______
Gap junctions; enteric motor neurons
What triggers smooth muscle contractions of ICCs?
Spike potentials
Additional factors that can increase the excitability of smooth muscle? (3)
- Muscle stretch (distention)
- Acetylcholine
- Other GI hormones
What can decrease excitability of smooth muscles? What does it cause?
Norepinephrine - causes hyperpolarization
What is the enteric nervous system composed of?
Sensory, motor, and interneurons
What is the enteric nervous system organized into? (2)
- Submucosal plexus and Myenteric plexus
Where is the Submucosal plexus located?
Located between the layers of submucosa and circular muscle (only present in SI and LI)
Function of the submucosal plexus? (4)
- Regulate motility
- Regulate local blood flow
- Regulate secretions
- Regulate epithelial cell function
Where is the Myenteric plexus located?
Between longitudinal and circular muscles (entire GI)
What is the function of the myenteric plexus?
Regulate motility
Nerves that connect the ENS and CNS? (3)
- Vagus Nerve
- Pelvic Splanchnic Nerves
- Thoracic Sympathetic Trunk
Secretions promoting motility? (5)
- I-cells = CCK
- Enterochromaffin cells = serotonin
- G-cells = gastrin
- Mo-cells = motilin
- Beta-pancreatic cells = insulin
Secretions reducing motility? (4)
- S-cells = secretin
- D-cells = somatostatin
- Pancreatic cells = Pancreatic peptide YY
- Alpha-pancreatic cells = glucagon
What is digestion?
Breaking down macromolecules into smaller molecules to increase absorption
Two types of digestion?
- Mechanical
- Chemical
What is mechanical digesiton?
Physically chewing/cutting/crushing/churning food to decrease vol and increase SA
Parts of the GI tract that help with mechanical digestion?
Mouth and Stomach
What is chemical digestion?
Chemical processes that allows absorption of food particles
Two types of chemical digesiton?
- Enzymatic digestion
- Lipid solubilization
What is enzymatic digestion?
Enzymes break macronutrients down into smaller and smaller particles through the process of hydrolysis
What is lipid solubilization?
Emulsifiers secreted by the liver emulsify ingested lipids so that enzymes can break them down to smaller, absorbable molecules
Enzymes/secretions present in the mouth to aid in digestion? (3)
- Salivary amylase
- Mucus
- Water
Contributing organs/structures for digestion in the mouth? (2)
- Salivary glands
- Teeth
What is being digested in the mouth?
Carbohydrates (all other are being broken down into smaller particles)
Enzymes/secretions present in the stomach to aid in digestion? (3)
- HCl
- Lipase
- Pepsin
Contributing nerve for stomach digestion?
Vagus nerve promotes HCl release
What is being digested in the stomach?
Proteins, fats, carbs - limited digestion other than proteins
What is the most important site of chemical digestion?
Small intestine
Enzymes/secretions present in the small intestine to aid in digestion? (3)
- Bile acids
- Pancreatic enzymes
- Brush border enzymes
Contributing organs/structures to small intestine digestion?
- Liver contributes bile
- Pancreas releases numerous enzymes including lipase and amylase
What is being digested in the small intestine?
- Proteins (bb enz. Pancreatic enz.)
- Carbs (bb enz. and amylase)
- Lipids (lipase and bile acids)