The gastrointestinal system

Question 1

Describe the purpose of the gastrointestinal system

Answer 1

The intake of food/nutrients, their break down and absorption to provide critical nutrition and hydration to the body. It is also involved with removal of waste as well.

Question 2

List the different forms of nutrition and define them

Answer 2

Herbivore – eat plant material
Carnivore – eat meat
Omnivore – eat both plant material and meat

Question 3

Discuss the basic structure of the GI tract

Answer 3

It is a tube within an animal running from the oral cavity to the anus.

Question 4

Describe the role of the esophagus

Answer 4

A flexible tube designed to deliver food from the oral cavity to the stomach

Question 5

List the 4 types of teeth in dogs and cats

Answer 5

Incisors, canines, premolars and molars

Question 6

Explain the difference between a monogastric animal and a ruminant

Answer 6

A monogastric animal has one stomach. Digestion is by physical and chemical processes. A ruminant has 4 structures in the stomach. 1 is a true stomach the rest are forestomachs in which grass and other cellulose based substances are digested by fermentation.

Question 7

Describe the structure and function of the small intestine

Answer 7

Long tube extending from the stomach to the large intestine. It is divided into 3 parts the duodenum, the jejunum and the ileum. Its functions are the digestion and absorption of nutrients.

Question 8

Describe the structure and function of the large intestine

Answer 8

A tubular structure extending from the ileum to the anus. Its functions depend on the species. They include water and ion absorption and in hind gut fermenters digestion of cellulose based foods(grass).

Question 9

Discuss hindgut fermentation

Answer 9

The means by which certain herbivores such as horses and rabbits digest cellulose based foods using fermentation in the cecum and colon.

Question 10

Describe the function of the liver

Answer 10

It processes nutrients, filters and detoxifies toxins absorbed with those nutrients and produces essential substances such as proteins and some vitamins. It processes and stores bile which is essential for fat digestion.

Question 11

Describe the function of the pancreas

Answer 11

It produces digestive enzymes and the hormones insulin, glucagon and somatostatin