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Final Year Lfsc10🌸 > The Digestive System > Flashcards

The Digestive System Flashcards

1
Q

The human digestive system consists of

A

The alimentary canal and accessory organs

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2
Q

The alimentary canal

A

Long, tubular structure that extends throughout the body

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3
Q

The alimentary canal consists of

A

Mouth and mouth cavity
Pharynx
Oesophagus
Stomach
Small intestine
Large intestine and anus

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4
Q

The accessory organs include the following

A

Tongue
Salivary glands
Pancreas
Liver
Fall bladder

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5
Q

Five main processes in nutrition

A

Ingestion, digestion, absorption, assimilation and egestion

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6
Q

Ingestion

A

The food is taken in and enters the alimentary canal

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7
Q

Digestion

A

Food is exposed to mechanical and chemical processes that change solid, insoluble food to simpler, soluble substances.

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8
Q

Absorption

A

The end products of digestion are absorbed into the blood stream

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9
Q

Assimilation

A

The cells absorb the nutrients from the blood and use It to build new cell structures and compounds

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10
Q

Egestion

A

The process through which undigested remains are removed from the body in the form of faeces.

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11
Q

Necessity of food

A

It provides energy through the egestion of carbohydrates and fats.
It provides growth and repair of damaged tissues through the egestion of proteins.
It regulates body processes such as cellular respiration and excretion which requires ingestion of vitamins vitamins, water and mineral salts

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12
Q

Herbivores-animals that feed on plant material

A

Consume large amounts of cellulose (found in cell walls). Some herbivores have microorganisms in their small intestine that digest cellulose which is hard to digest. Large amount of plant material is consumed as it has a very low energy value with the incisors of herbivores and large premolar and molars to grind the food.

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13
Q

Herbivores produce large amounts of faeces

A

Because they eat so much indigestible plant material

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14
Q

Herbivores have very long, specialized alimentary canals while carnivores

A

Have a shorter alimentary canal because the protein is easier to digest along with the stomach which has acidic medium that easily digests protein.

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15
Q

Carnivores have sharp pointed incisors to

A

Bite food, long string canines to pierce the prey and to kill and tear it apart.

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16
Q

Carnivores eat less than herbivores

A

Because fats and proteins have a much higher energy value than plant material therefore less faeces are produced.

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17
Q

Mouth and mouth cavity

A

The mouth is the upper opening of the alimentary canal.
The opening of the mouth is surrounded by 2 fleshy lips.
The cavity on the inside is known as the mouth cavity which is lined with a mucous membrane.
The roof of the mouth cavity consists of a hard, ridged palate at the front and a soft palate at the back which ends in the uvula, which closes the opening to the nasal cavity when swallowing.
The mouth cavity also contain the tongue and the teeth toward the front as well as the openings of the 3 pairs of Salivary glands (tongue, teeth and Salivary glands)

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18
Q

Functions of the mouth and mouth cavity

A

The mouth cavity receives the food and begins the process of mechanical digestion by breaking down larger particles of food into smaller particles and mixing it with saliva

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19
Q

Pharynx

A

The back of the moth cavity opens to the Pharynx which leads to 2 openings : the Oesophagus and trachea(windpipe)

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20
Q

During swallowing, the opening of the trachea

A

Is closed by a leaf-shaped cartilage structure called the epiglottis which prevents food from entering the trachea and choking a person.

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21
Q

Function of the Pharynx

A

The Pharynx is the common passage for food and air from the mouth to the Oesophagus and the trachea.
Passageway that connects nasal and oral cavity to Oesophagus.
Respiratory and digestive function occur and food triggers involuntary reflexes

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22
Q

Oesophagus

A

A hollow, muscular tube that connects the Pharynx to the stomach which is located behind the trachea.

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23
Q

Function of the Oesophagus

A

The muscles in the wall of the Oesophagus are responsible for peristaltic movements which push the food bolus forward.

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24
Q

Food bolus

A

A round ball of chewed food that is mixed with saliva in the mouth cavity and pushed in the direction of the Oesophagus during swallowing

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25
Q

Stomach

A

A sickle shaped, sac like organ located below the diaphragm. The wall is thick and muscular. At the top, the opening of Oesophagus is closed by the cardiac sphincter.
At the lower end the opening to the small intestine is closed by the pylori sphincter which keeps food from being forced into the intestine too early.
When food enters the stomach the stomach mucosa begins to produce the hormone gastrin which is transported by the blood to the gastric glands to stimulate them to secrete juice.

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26
Q

What happens in the stomach under stressful conditions

A

The gastric glands secrete excessive amounts of gastric juice which destroys the mucous lining of the stomach which leads to stomach ulcers.

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27
Q

What leads to heartburn

A

The acidic fluid mass in the stomach pushes into the Oesophagus which results in heartburn especially as a result of fatty food, excessive alcohol use, caffeine or obesity

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28
Q

Functions of the stomach

A

The walls causes churning movements that assist with physical digestion and ensure that the food is mixed with the gastric juices.
The glands in the stomach wall secrete the gastric juices for digestion.

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29
Q

Chyme

A

Food that leaves the stomach in a semi solid state

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30
Q

Small intestine

A

Long muscular tube which approximately 5 to 6 m in length
It consists of 3 parts : duodenum
Jejunum
Ileum

The walls of the small intestine consist of the serous membrane, muscle layer, submucosa and mucosa

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31
Q

Tongue

A

The tongue attaches to the hyoid bone and to the styloid process of the skull. The inguinal frenelum holds to the tongue to the floor of the mouth and keeps it from sliding posteriorly

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32
Q

Frenulum medical problem

A

When a child has a short frenulum or an attachment that is farther forward, surgery is required to improve speech

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33
Q

Tonsils

A

Part of the body’s defense system
Palatine tonsils and the lingual tonsils are at the base of the tongue.

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34
Q

Salivary glands

A

Food enters the mouth and the teeth breaks down the food mechanically.
Ptyalin and amylase work on chemically digesting starches.
Salivary enzymes attack bacteria in the food.

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35
Q

Gastric pits

A

Cover the lining of the stomach.
Secretes gastric juice.
Intrinsic factor - absorption of B12
Parietal cells produce hydrochloric acid (HCI) which provides the protein digesting enzyme, pepsin

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36
Q

Duodenum

A

First and shortest part of the small intestine
The common bile duct from the gall bladder and the pancreatic duct from the pancreas open as a joint tube in the duodenum.

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37
Q

Jejunum

A

Middle part of the small intestine

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38
Q

Ileum

A

Last and longest part of the small intestine.
It joins the first part of the large intestine like the caecum.
The opening between the iluem and caecum is closed by a ring muscle called the ileo-caecal sphincter.

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39
Q

Serous membrane

A

Outer connective tissue layer

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40
Q

Muscle layer consists of

A

An outer layer of longitudinal muscles and inner layer of circular muscles

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41
Q

Submucosa

A

A layer of connective tissue with blood vessels, lymph vessels, nerves and glands

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42
Q

Mucosa

A

The innermost layer which has transverse folds and there are million of finger like projections called villi on these folds.

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43
Q

Peristaltic movements

A

Peristalsis is the wave-like movement of the smooth muscles that line your digestive system. It is an involuntary process that moves food and waste through your gastrointestinal tract

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44
Q

The stomach empties into the small intestine which looks like

A

Coised hose

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45
Q

What juices mix in the small intestine

A

Juices from the pancreas and gall bladder

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46
Q

Explain the absorption process that occurs in the small intestine

A

Vitamins, minerals, carbons, protein, fat and bile salts go through the bloodstream and are absorped by the cells. This occurs at a site where the large surface area is covered with projections(villi)

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47
Q

The mucosa in the small intestine will have finger like projections called

A

Villi (villus for one)

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48
Q

Structure of villus 1

A

A villus is surrounded by a single layer of columnar epithelial cells.

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49
Q

2) in the columnar epithelium there are

A

Goblet cells secrete mucous to protect and lubricate the body’s surfaces, trap pathogens and allergens, and support immune function.

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50
Q

Microvilli

A

Cells on the surface of the columnar epithelial cells that are microscopic projection.

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51
Q

Lacteal

A

The centre where there is a capillary lymph vessel.

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52
Q

An arteriole

A

Brings blood to the villus and form a capillary network that surrounds the lacteal.

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53
Q

Venule

A

Cappilaries join together and leave the villus as a venule

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54
Q

Crypts of lieberkuhn

A

Small cavities Located at the base of the villi

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55
Q

Brunner glands

A

Occur in the submucosa of the duodenum

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56
Q

Functions of the small intestine

A

The layer of muscles in the wall of the small intestine causes peristaltic movements moving the chyme forward and ensures that it becomes throughly mixed with the digestive juices.

Glands in the duodenum (brunner glands and crypts of lieberkuhn) secrete digestive juices (intestinal juice) which plays a role in digestion.

The small intestine has millions of villi to increase surface area for the absorption of digested nutrients

57
Q

3 colons of the large intestine

A

Caecum, colon, sigmoid and rectum

58
Q

Caecum

A

Sac like structure where it joins the small intestine and a small small appendage is attached to caecum, the appendix

59
Q

Colon

A

Largest part of the large intestine. It’s consists of ascending, transverse and descending colon

60
Q

Rectum

A

Last muscular point of the colon it ends with an opening on the outside, an anus

61
Q

Functions of the large intestine

A

Secrets large amounts of mucus to aid egestion.

Water and useful substances (certain vitamins and bile salts) are absorbed from the semi-solid waste in the colon.

Undigested waste(faeces) is stored temporarily in the colon before it is egested via the anus.

62
Q

A tongue is a muscular accessory organ with small projections on the tongue called

A

Papillae where the taste buds occur

63
Q

Function of the tongue

A

Has taste buds and serves as a taste organ.
Helps with the chewing process by pression food against the hard palate and between the teeth.
This ensures that chewed food mixes with saliva..
It rolls the food into a bolus (ball)

Helps with swallowing process as it pushes down the food bolus towards the opening of the throat.

64
Q

Teeth has 4 types of teeth

A

Incisors, canines, premolar, molars

65
Q

Incisors

A

Bite and cut off food

66
Q

Canines

A

Hold food in place and tear it off

67
Q

Premolar and molars

A

Chew and grind the food

68
Q

Tooth decay is caused by

A

Plaque

69
Q

Plaque

A

Thin transparent layer deposited on teeth consisting of bacteria, food particles, mucus and saliva. The bacteria feeds on sugar and releases acids that dissolve the tooth enamel which causes holes. The bacteria can then penetrate the tooth leading to tooth decay.

70
Q

What prevents tooth decay

A

Toothpaste containing fluoride or fluoride supplements

71
Q

Salivary glands are what type of glands

A

Exocrine glands that release secretion in ducts that open into the moth cavity

72
Q

Pancreas

A

Tongue-shaped gland located below the stomach.
It’s composed of the normal pancreatic cells and the islets of langerhans cells.
It produces digestive enzymes.
It’s part of the endocrine system producing the hormones :insulin and glucagon

73
Q

Normal pancreatic cells

A

Secrete the digestive juice, pancreatic juice

74
Q

The islets of langerhans

A

Secretes two hormones : insulin and glucagon - part of the endocrine system

75
Q

Pancreatic juice is transported via

A

The pancreatic duct which joins the common bile duct.

76
Q

The common bile and pancreatic duct

A

Opens in the duodenum

77
Q

Endocrine

A

(ductless) glands that release their secretions directly into the blood stream

78
Q

The mucosa of the small intestine Secretes

A

The hormone secretin when the acidic chyme reaches the duodenum. Secretin is the transported into the blood stream and it stimulates the pancreatic cells to secrete pancreatic juice

79
Q

Normal pancreatic cells secrete pancreatic juice

A

Into the pancreatic duct which opens into the duodenum(exocrine function)

80
Q

Islets of langerhans secret the hormones

A

Insulin and glucagon directly into the bloodstream (endocrine function)

81
Q

Function of the pancreas

A

Secrete pancreatic juices with enzymes which play a role in digestion

Secretes insulin and glucagon which controls the blood glucose levels in the body

82
Q

Liver

A

Largest gland in the body located under the diaphragm. It has 4 lobes each made it tiny lobules that consist of liver cells

Metabolic and regulatory

theliver regulateslipid metabolism to meet systemic energy needs in the fed and fasted states. The processes of fatty acid uptake, fatty acid synthesis and the intracellular partitioning of fatty acids into storage, oxidation and secretion pathways are tightly regulated.

83
Q

Functions of the liver

A

Produces bile stored in the gall bladder

Glucose is converted into glycogen for storage in the liver.

Excess glucose is converted into fat and stored.

The liver is a detoxifying organ that absorbs and neutralizes certain toxins such as alcohol.

84
Q

Deamination in the liver

A

Excess amino acids are broken down to form urea and glucose in the process called deamination.

85
Q

What vitamins are stored in the liver

A

A
D
E
K
B12

86
Q

What prevents blood clotting

A

Liver synthesis heparin

87
Q

Gall bladder

A

Muscular sac located between liver lobes that contracts to release bile when it is stimulated. The bile moves along the cystic duct, common bile duct and common bile and pancreatic duct into the duodenum.

88
Q

Function of the gall bladder

A

Stores and releases bile which is produced by the liver.

89
Q

Digestion

A

Nutrients must be in a simple, soluble form to be absorbed by the blood and transported to the body cells.
Complex insoluble food particles are broken down by digestion into simpler soluble nutrients.

There Is mechanical/physical digestion and chemical digestion

90
Q

Mechanical/physical digestion

A

Food is broken down into smaller particles.
The smaller food particles have a large surface area for digestive enzyme action to break them down further into simpler molecules.

Mechanical digestion includes chewing process /mastication ; bolus formation, churning movement and peristaltic movements

91
Q

Mastication /chewing process

A

Food is broken down into smaller particles by the teeth and tongue.

92
Q

Bolus formation

A

The chewed food is mixed with saliva and rolled into a ball of food(bolus) using the tongue. The swallowing process starts with the tongue pushing the bolus through the Pharynx, from where it enters the Oesophagus

93
Q

Churning movements

A

These e takes place by the contraction and relaxation of the muscles of the stomach wall. Food particles are broken down for effective enzyme action and thoroughly mixed with gastric juice.

94
Q

Peristaltic movements

A

Rhythmic contraction and relaxation of the muscles in the wall of the alimentary canal. Which helps move the food particles forward through the entire length of the alimentary canal

95
Q

Peristalsis also helps

A

Mix food particles with other digestive juices like the pancreatic juice and bile.

96
Q

Chemical digestion

A

Breaking down of large, insoluble molecules in food into smaller, soluble molecules by the addition of water through the catabolic reaction known as hydrolysis

97
Q

Hydrolytic reactions cannot occur

A

Without the help of enzymes

98
Q

Catabolic reaction : large insoluble food molecules plus

A

Addition of H20 broken down by digestive enzymes into small, soluble food molecules

99
Q

Catabolic reaction

A

Breaking down of the large insoluble molecules of a compound with the addition of of water to be broken down by an enzyme into small soluble type of molecules.

100
Q

Role of water during chemical digestion

A

Acts as a solvent for digested food
Transports digested food
Medium for which digestive reactions occur and acts like a lubricant and facilitates chewing and swallowing.

101
Q

Reagent for hydrolysis

A

Water

102
Q

Hydrolysis

A

Water molecules are added to split larger molecules. Water is a softening agent

103
Q

Absorption

A

Nutrients move from the lumen of the gastrointestinal tract of the blood or lymph.

Most absorption of digested food occurs in the small intestine since it adapted for maximum absorption due to length of the intestine and the transverse folds/villus that increase the absorption surface area.

104
Q

Columnar epithelial surrounding the villus

A

Is only one cell layer thick for fast and easy diffusion

105
Q

Villus are richly supplied with

A

Capillaries for the absorption of glucose, amino acids, vitamins, mineral salts and water. And haaa a central lacteal for the absorption of fats.

106
Q

Goblet cells in the columnar epithelium

A

Secrete mucus which is the medium in which nutrients can dissolve.

107
Q

The columnar epithelium has many mitochondria

A

To provide energy for active transport.

108
Q

The micro villi on the columnar epithelium

A

Increase the absorption surface

109
Q

Absorption process

A

The end products of digestion like glucose, amino acids, fatty acids and glycerol as well as vitamins, mineral salts and water are absorbed by the villi in the small interest.

110
Q

Glucose and amino acids in the absorption process

A

Glucose and amino acids are actively absorbed against the concentration gradient, into the blood capillaries of the villi

111
Q

Glycerol and fatty acids in the absorption process

A

Glycerol and fatty acids are absorbed by diffusion into the lacteals aided by bile salts.

112
Q

Vitamins in the absorption process

A

Fat soluble Vitamins(A, D, E AND K) are absorbed by blood capillaries while water soluble like B and C are absorbed by carrier molecules

113
Q

Mineral salts in the absorption process

A

Actively and passively absorbed by capillaries

114
Q

Water in the absorption process

A

Absorbed into the cappilaries by osmosis

115
Q

Glucose is the end product for

A

Carbohydrate digestion

116
Q

Amino acids are the end products of

A

Protein digestion

117
Q

Glycerol and fatty acids are the end products of

A

Lipid digestion

118
Q

Active transport requires

A

Energy and help of a carrier molecules as it goes against the concentration of gradient

119
Q

Passive transport occurs

A

Spontaneously and doesn’t require energy as it goes down the concentration gradient

120
Q

Propulsion before digestion

A

Deglutination by swallowing
Propelled to next digestive organ by peristalsis
Contraction and relaxation of muscles is involuntary

121
Q

Osmosis is

A

Osmosis is the movement of water molecules from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration through a semipermeable membrane.

122
Q

Transport of absorbed nutrients

A

Glucose, amino acids, vitamins, mineral salts and water are absorbed through the blood capillaries in the villi.

Larger veins are formed in order to open into the hepatic portal vein when capillaries join.

Hepatic portal veins transport absorbed nutrients to the liver
Where glucose is converted and stored as glycogen and excess amino acids undergo deamination to form urea and glucose.

Remaining glucose and amino acids leave the liver via hepatic veins and are transported to the inferior vena cava of the heart and to the rest of the body.
Glucose is transported to tissues like muscle tissues broken down by cellular respiration to form co2 plus water and release of energy

123
Q

Fatty acids and glycerol absorbed by the lacteal of the villi

A

Fork lymphatic vessels that open up the thoracic duct.

124
Q

Egestion process

A

Large amounts of water are absorbed from the semi solid waste in the colon to reduce liquidity.
Undigested or indigestible waste is stored in the rectum as faeces.
Muscles contractions of the rectum and relaxation of the circular muscles of the anus causes expulsion of faeces.

125
Q

Egestion is known as

A

Defecation

126
Q

Microorganisms in the gastrointestinal tract

A

In Healthy individuals, the stomach and proximal small intestine contain few microorganisms resulted in bacteriodical activity of gastric acid.

127
Q

Msot microorganisms are located in

A

The Ileum and colon

128
Q

Bacterial populations in large intestine digest

A

Carbohydrates, proteins and lipids that escape digestion and absorption in the small intestine, this fermentation of cellulose is important in herbivores

Assists in the absorption of vitamin K

129
Q

Homeostasis

A

Maintenance of a constant internal environment in the body

130
Q

Homeostasis includes the maintenance of

A

Glucose concentration
Water concentration
Carbon dioxide and oxygen concentration
Ph
Temperature

131
Q

Hormonal control of glucose concentration in the blood

A

Two hormones, insulin and glycogen are secreted by the islets of langerhans in the pancreas to control the glucose concentration in the blood.

132
Q

If the glucose concentration in the blood rises above normal

A

The beta cells of the islets of langerhans detect this increase and respond by secreting insulin into the blood.

Insulin stimulates the absorption of glucose from the blood into the body cells and conversion of glucose to glycogen in the liver and muscles.

Glucose is removed from the blood which causes glucose concentration to decrease which is detected by beta cells which inhibit the secretion of insulin

133
Q

If the glucose concentration in the blood falls below normal

A

The alpha cells of the islets of langerhans detect the decrease and respond by secreting glucagon into the blood which stimulates the conversion of glycogen to glucose in the liver and muscles.
Glucose is released into the blood which causes the glucose concentration to increase. The increase in the blood glucose concentration is detected by the alpha cells which then inhibit the secretjon of glucagon.

134
Q

Insulin and glucagon are

A

Antagonistic hormones as they have opposite effects in the body s

135
Q

Glucose

A

Building block of carbohydrates and the body’s main energy source

136
Q

Glycogen

A

A carbohydrate. The storage form of glucose in animals

137
Q

Glucagon

A

Hormone which increases the blood glucose concentration

138
Q

Silvary amylase

A

Also called pytalin
Breaks down starch (polysaccharide) down to maltose

Bicarbonate ions in saliva as buffers
Mucins(mucous) lubricate and help hold chewed food together in a bolus

Final Year Lfsc10🌸 (12 decks)

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