The Gastronintestinal System (GIT) Etc Lectures 8.1-11.1 Flashcards
What are the two parts of the gastrointestinal tract? `
Gastrointestinal Tract- a continious tube from mouth to anus consisting of:
*mouth, pharynx, oesophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine and the anus
Accessory digestive organs:
*salivary glands, exocrine pancreas and biliary system (liver and gallbladder)
What is the primary function of a GIT tract?
Transfer nutrients, water + electrolytes from ingested food into the body’s internal environment
What are the six digestive processes?
-ingestion
-propulsion
-mechanical digestion
-chemical digestion
-absorption
-defecation
What are the 4 major tissue layers?
-mucosa
-submucosa
-muscularis externa
-serosa
What is the function of the mucosa?
-inner epithelial layer
*protects and transports substances
What is the function of the submucosa?
-connective tissue
*supports and contains nerve plexus
What is the function of the muscularis externa?
-contraction
*inner circular smooth muscle
*outer longitudinal muscle layer
What is the function of the serosa?
-connective tissue
*protects the tissue
Swallowing/ deglutition
-transportation of food from mouth —> stomach
-involves voluntary and involuntary control
-divided into oral, pharyngeal + oesophageal phases
-controlled in the brainstem (unconscious part of the brain)
What does swallowing involve that moves food along the GIT?
A series of wave-like contractions (peristalsis)
-begins in the oesophagus when a bonus of food is swallowed
What is the functional anatomy of the stomach divided into?
-divided into 3 sections;
*fundus, body and antrum
What is the rugae of mucosa?
Rugae = folds in stomach lining
-allows the stomach to expand and stretch to accommodate food- receptive relaxation
*empty volume= 50mL
*full volume= 1000-4000mL
What are the 3 main functions of the stomach?
-stores food until it can be emptied into the small intestine
-secretes HCl + enzymes that begin protein digestion
-mixing movements -> converts pulverised food to chyme
What does the pyloric sphincter (valve) serve as?
-serves as a barrier between the stomach and small intestine
HCl secretion in a parietal cell;
Explain the cephalic (head) phase:
-secretion of HCl + pepsin before food reaches the stomach
-gastrin is released from G-cells in pyloric gland area + increases HCl and pepsin
HCl secretion in a parietal cell;
Explain the gastric phase:
-begins when food reaches the stomach
-presence of protein increases HCl and pepsin secretion
HCl secretion in a parietal cell;
Explain the intestinal phase:
-inhibitory phase: inhibits gastric juices as chyme begins to empty into the small intestine
What is the function of the gastric mucosal barrier?
-enables the stomach to contain acid without injuring itself
*luminal membranes; impermeable to H+ so HCl cannot penetrate cells
*cells are joined by tight junctions= preventing penetration of HCl
*muscles coating over the gastric mucosa= offers further protection
Gastric emptying- peristaltic waves in the stomach
-contractile rhythm
-set by pacemaker cells
Occurs every 3 mins
What is gastric emptying time?
The time to empty the stomach after a meal can take 4-6 hours
*Increases fluidity - time decreases
*Increases fat content- increases time it takes
What do fats in the duodenum allow?
secret CCK (cholecystokinin) that in turn stimulates the gallbladder to contract and release stored bile that helps to break down fats
What does stomach acid in the duodenum stimulate?
stimulates the pancreas to release bicarbonate ions to neutralise the acid
The small intestine;
What is its function?
absorption by increasing surface area
Structures of the small intestine:
-circular folds
-villi= ‘finger like’ projections
-microvilli= projections of plasma membrane
-finger-like shape
-crypt: different types of cells; intestinal stem = constantly regenerate the epithelial layer
-epithelial layer is always regenerated= new layer is always been formed
What is hydrolysis?
Hydrolysis is a reaction involving the breaking of a bond in a molecule using water
How does glucose exit the intestinal cell?
passively by a glucose transport protein
What are dietary lipids?
-triglycerides (90%)
= composed of 3 fatty acids; joined to a glycerol back bone
-cholesterol
-phospholipids
-fat soluble vitamins
What is the key role of bile salts; bio surfactants?
-Prepare the surface of fat globules
-act as detergents
-amphillic
Triglyceride (TG) hydrolysis:
-hydrolysed to monoglycerides (MGs) + free fatty acids (FAs) by pancreatic lipase
-rate of hydrolysis is strongly dependant on surface area of the lipid-water interface
What does monoglycerides and free fatty acids associate with?
Bile salts and phospholipids to form micelles
Transcellular lipid movement;
Where are intracellular fatty acids and MGs transported to?
transported to ER for synthesis into TGs
Once intracellular FAs and MGs are transported what are they packaged into and where are they transported?
Packaged into chylomicrons and transported to basal membrane in exocytotic membranes = extruded
Motility in the small intestine;
What is segmention initiated by?
Initiated by pacemaker cells in the small intestine= produces basic electrical rhythm (BER)
What are the functions of the circular smooth muscle?
-Mixing chyme with digestive juices secreted into small intestine lumen
-Exposing all chyme to absorptive surfaces of small intestine mucosa
Motility in the small intestine;
What does migrating motility complex do?
Sweeps intestines clean between meals
What are the features of the large intestine?
-drying and storage organ
-contents consist of indigestible food, residues, unabsorbed biliary components and water
What is the function of the colon?
Extracts more water and salt from contents and the feces remains to be eliminated