Week 5: The Gastrointestinal System Flashcards
The process of _______ occurs when the muscles of the pharynx contract.
a) propulsion
b) mechanical breakdown
c) digestion
d) ingestion
a) propulsion
Swallowing and peristalsis are examples of this digestive process.
a) defaecation
b) chemical digestion
c) absorption
d) propulsion
d) propulsion
This is the process of eliminating indigestible substances from the body.
a) defaecation
b) absorption
c) digestion
d) mechanical breakdown
a) defaecation
There are six major processes of the digestive system beginning with __________.
There are six major processes of the digestive system beginning with ingestion.
As the foodstuff enters the mouth, __________ begins through the acts of chewing.
As the foodstuff enters the mouth, mechanical breakdown begins through the acts of chewing.
As the foodstuff enters the mouth, mechanical breakdown begins through the acts of chewing. Then the process of ________ sends the foodstuff through the digestive tract.
As the foodstuff enters the mouth, mechanical breakdown begins through the acts of chewing. Then the process of propulsion sends the foodstuff through the digestive tract.
In the stomach, further mechanical breakdown is performed by the oblique muscles called ___________.
In the stomach, further mechanical breakdown is performed by the oblique muscles called churning.
Further mechanical breakdown occurs in the _____________ by segmentation.
Further mechanical breakdown occurs in the small intestine by segmentation.
____________ is the process that mainly occurs in the small intestine.
Absorption is the process that mainly occurs in the small intestine.
As the indigestible foodstuff is propelled through the __________, further absorption of water and vitamins occurs and eventually the process of ___________ ends the digestive process.
As the indigestible foodstuff is propelled through the large intestine, further absorption of water and vitamins occurs and eventually the process of defaecation ends the digestive process.
T/F: There are three layers of the digestive tract.
False
There are actually four layers of the digestive tract: mucosa, submucosa, muscularis externa and serosa
Which of the following processes occur in the stomach?
a) mechanical breakdown, propulsion, chemical digestion and absorption
b) ingestion, mechanical breakdown, propulsion and defecation
c) mechanical breakdown, chemical digestion, absorption and defecation
d) mechanical breakdown, propulsion, chemical digestion and defecation
a) mechanical breakdown, propulsion, chemical digestion and absorption
Which of the following is considered an accessory organ of digestion?
a)appendix
b) gall bladder
c) rectum
d) stomach
b) gall bladder
Which of the following is considered an accessory organ of digestion?
a) liver
b) oesophagus
c) small intestine
d) ascending colon
a) liver
Which of the following is considered an accessory organ of digestion?
a) pharynx
b) pancreas
c) caecum
d) transverse colon
b) pancreas
The pancreas produces ____________ that contains __________, these then breakdown all classes of foodstuff.
The pancreas produces pancreatic juice that contains enzymes, these then breakdown all classes of foodstuff.
The pancreas also produces the hormones __________ and __________ that are involved in metabolism
The pancreas also produces the hormones insulin and glucagon that are involved in metabolism
The __________ produces ____________ that aids in the digestion of fats. The accessory organ that stores the bile is the ____________
.
The liver produces bile that aids in the digestion of fats. The accessory organ that stores the bile is the gallbladder
Cellular respiration
a) is the process of producing ATP.
b) is the process of producing glucagon.
c) occurs only in neurons.
d) is the process of synthesising proteins.
a) is the process of producing ATP.
The catabolic state is
a) also known as the post-absorptive state.
b) also known as the “fed” state.
c) is the state when nutrients are stored for later use.
a) also known as the post-absorptive state.
Which of the following is not a fate of amino acids
a) stored as fat.
b) used to produce ATP.
c) used to make bile.
c) used to make bile.
Glycogenesis
a) is the process of forming new glucose from noncarbohydrate molecules.
b) occurs when blood glucose levels decrease.
c) is the production of glycogen.
c) is the production of glycogen.
Gluconeogenesis
a) is the process of forming glycogen.
b) involves glycogenolysis.
c) is the process of forming new glucose from noncarbohydrate molecules.
c) is the process of forming new glucose from noncarbohydrate molecules.
Define
Digestive tract
A continuous, hollow, muscular tube extending from the mouth to the rectum, involved in the digestion and movement of food. Also known as the gastrointestinal tract or the alimentary canal.
Define
Digestive system
The system in the body responsible for the breakdown and absorption of food, consisting of the digestive tract and accessory organs.
Define
Accessory organs
Organs that assist in digestion but are not part of the digestive tract itself, including the teeth, tongue, salivary glands, gallbladder, liver, and pancreas.
Define
Small intestine
The portion of the digestive tract where most digestion and nutrient absorption occur, consisting of the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum.
Define
Large intestine
The section of the digestive tract that absorbs water and electrolytes from indigestible food matter, and forms and expels feces. It includes the cecum, colon, and rectum.
Define
Rectum
The final section of the large intestine that stores feces until they are expelled from the body through the anus.
Define
Bolus
A soft, rounded mass of chewed food mixed with saliva, ready to be swallowed.
Define
Peristalsis
A series of rhythmic, wave-like contractions of smooth muscle that move food through the digestive tract.
Define
Mechanical breakdown
Also known as mechanical digestion; the physical process of breaking food into smaller pieces to increase surface area for chemical digestion.
Define
Segmentation
A type of mechanical breakdown in the small intestine, involving rhythmic constrictions that mix and move food back and forth to enhance digestion and absorption.
Define
Chemical digestion
The process by which enzymes break down complex food molecules into simpler forms that can be absorbed by the body.
Define
Glycogen
A polysaccharide that serves as the main storage form of glucose in animal tissues.
Define
Amylases
Enzymes that break down carbohydrates into simpler sugars.
Define
Brush border enzymes
Enzymes located on the surface of the small intestine’s epithelial cells that further break down carbohydrates, proteins, and nucleic acids.
Define
Pepsin
An enzyme in the stomach that begins the digestion of proteins into smaller peptides.
Define
Proteases
Enzymes that break down proteins into amino acids.
Define
Emulsification
The process by which bile salts break down large fat globules into smaller droplets, increasing the surface area for fat digestion.
Define
Lipases
Enzymes that break down triglycerides into fatty acids and glycerol.
Define
Nucleases
Enzymes that break down nucleic acids into nucleotides.
Define
Mucosa
The innermost layer of the digestive tract, a moist membrane that lines the lumen and is involved in secreting mucus, digestive enzymes, and hormones, and absorbing nutrients.
Define
Submucosa
The layer of tissue external to the mucosa, containing elastic tissues that allow the digestive tract to stretch and recoil.
Define
Muscularis Externa
The layer surrounding the submucosa, composed of smooth muscle cells responsible for peristalsis, segmentation, and forming sphincters to direct the movement of food.
Define
Serosa
The outermost layer of the digestive tract, providing support to the digestive organ and anchoring it to surrounding structures.
Define
Deglutition
The process of swallowing, where food is pushed to the back of the mouth with the tongue and then involuntarily propelled into the pharynx.
Define
Pyloric Sphincter
A ring of muscle at the end of the stomach that controls the release of stomach contents into the duodenum of the small intestine.
Define
Rugae
Large folds in the lining of the stomach that allow it to expand when full and increase its surface area for digestion.
Define
Chyme
A semi-liquid mixture of partially digested food and gastric juices that is gradually released from the stomach into the duodenum.
Define
Goblet Cells
Cells in the stomach mucosa that produce mucus, forming a protective layer to shield the stomach lining from acidic gastric contents and digestive enzymes.
Define
Gastric Pits
Deep indentations in the stomach mucosa that lead to gastric glands, which secrete various substances necessary for digestion.
Define
Parietal Cells
Cells in the gastric glands that produce hydrochloric acid (HCl), which creates an acidic environment necessary for activating digestive enzymes and digesting food.
Define
Chief Cells
Cells in the gastric glands that produce pepsinogen, an inactive precursor of the enzyme pepsin, which is activated by HCl to aid in protein digestion.
Define
Peptic Ulcers
Sores that develop on the lining of the stomach when the mucus barrier is breached, allowing stomach acid and pepsin to damage the stomach wall.
Define
Duodenum
The first segment of the small intestine, a C-shaped tube that receives bile and pancreatic secretions, and is involved in both mechanical and chemical digestion.
Define
Hepatopancreatic Sphincter
A smooth muscle valve that controls the release of bile and pancreatic secretions into the duodenum.
Define
Jejunum
The middle segment of the small intestine, primarily involved in nutrient absorption and digestion.
Define
Ileum
The final segment of the small intestine, ending at the large intestine, where the absorption of nutrients continues.
Define
Circular Folds
Deep, permanent folds in the submucosa and mucosa layers of the small intestine that increase surface area and slow the movement of chyme for enhanced nutrient absorption.
Define
Villi
Finger-like projections of the mucosa in the small intestine that increase surface area for nutrient absorption, containing capillaries and lacteals to transport absorbed nutrients.
Define
Microvilli
Tiny, densely packed projections on the surface of absorptive cells in the small intestine, forming the “brush border,” which contains enzymes for the final stages of digestion.
Define
Brush Border
The fuzzy appearance of the microvilli on the surface of absorptive cells, equipped with enzymes that complete the chemical digestion of carbohydrates, proteins, and nucleic acids.
Define
Enterocytes
Cells found in the intestinal crypts that secrete alkaline intestinal juice to neutralize acids and add water to the chyme, aiding in nutrient absorption.
Define
Intestinal Crypts
Indentations in the mucosa between the villi that contain enterocytes and stem cells responsible for secreting intestinal juices and renewing the epithelial lining.
Define
Lacteal
A lymphatic capillary located in the core of the villi that absorbs and transports lipids and other nutrients to the liver.
Define
Ileocecal Valve
A valve located between the ileum of the small intestine and the cecum of the large intestine, preventing the backflow of waste into the small intestine.
Define
Cecum
A pouch-like structure that forms the beginning of the large intestine, located beneath the ileocecal valve.
Define
Vermiform Appendix
A small, tube-like appendage connected to the cecum, containing lymphoid tissue and involved in immune functions.
Define
Colon
The longest part of the large intestine, divided into the ascending colon, transverse colon, descending colon, and sigmoid colon.
Define
Ascending Colon
The portion of the colon that extends upwards from the cecum to the transverse colon.
Define
Transverse Colon
The section of the colon that runs horizontally across the abdomen from the ascending colon to the descending colon.
Define
Descending Colon
The segment of the colon that descends from the transverse colon to the sigmoid colon.
Define
Sigmoid Colon
The S-shaped segment of the colon that connects the descending colon to the rectum.
Define
Teniae Coli
Three bands of longitudinal muscle along the colon that contract to form haustra and move waste through the large intestine.
Define
Haustra
Pouch-like sacs formed by the contraction of the teniae coli in the large intestine.
Define
Internal Sphincter
An involuntary muscle located at the anus, controlled by parasympathetic motor neurons, that maintains closure of the anal canal.
Define
External Sphincter
A voluntary muscle located at the anus, controlled by somatic motor neurons, that can be consciously relaxed to allow defecation.
Define
Mass Movements
Powerful, long contractions in the colon that propel contents toward the rectum and are typically triggered by eating.
Define
Hepatic Artery
A blood vessel that supplies oxygenated blood from the systemic circulation to the liver, constituting approximately 20% of the liver’s blood supply.
Define
Hepatic Portal Vein
A blood vessel that supplies nutrient-rich blood from the digestive tract to the liver, constituting approximately 80% of the liver’s blood supply.
Define
Hepatic Portal System
The system of veins that carries blood from the digestive organs to the liver for processing.
Define
Liver Lobules
The structural and functional units of the liver, each composed of hepatocytes arranged around a central vein, and connected by the portal triad.
Define
Portal Triad
A collection of three vessels at each corner of a liver lobule: an arterial branch of the hepatic artery, a venous branch of the hepatic portal vein, and a bile duct.
Define
Bile Duct
A vessel in the portal triad that collects bile produced by hepatocytes and transports it to the gallbladder.
Define
Liver Sinusoids
Specialized capillaries in the liver with large fenestrations that allow the exchange of large molecules and filtering of blood.
Define
Central Vein
The vein at the center of each liver lobule that collects filtered blood and drains it into the hepatic vein.
Define
Hepatic Vein
The vein that carries blood from the liver to the inferior vena cava, returning it to the systemic circulation.
Define
Bile Canaliculi
Small channels between hepatocytes that collect bile produced by the liver cells and transport it to the bile duct.
Define
Albumin
A plasma protein synthesized by the liver that maintains osmotic pressure, essential for proper fluid distribution between the extracellular fluid (ECF) and intracellular fluid (ICF).
Define
First-pass Metabolism
The process by which the liver metabolizes drugs and hormones into more water-soluble forms for excretion, occurring after substances are absorbed from the digestive tract.
Define
Fat-Soluble Vitamins
Vitamins A, D, E, K, and B12, which are stored in the liver.
Define
Bile
A yellow-green alkaline solution produced by the liver that aids in digestion by emulsifying fats, making them easier for digestive enzymes to break down.
DefineEndocrine Tissue
The part of the pancreas that secretes hormones, including insulin and glucagon, to regulate blood glucose levels.
Define
Exocrine Tissue
The part of the pancreas that produces pancreatic juice, which contains bicarbonate ions and digestive enzymes.
Define
Pancreatic Juice
A fluid produced by the pancreas that contains bicarbonate ions to neutralize acidic chyme and enzymes to digest food.
Define
Anabolism
A type of metabolic reaction that builds larger molecules from smaller ones, such as protein synthesis.
Define
Catabolism
A type of metabolic reaction that breaks down complex structures into simpler ones, such as breaking down glycogen into glucose.
Define
Anabolic (or Absorptive) State
A metabolic state occurring during and up to four hours after eating, when the digestive tract provides nutrients that are used for energy and stored for later use.
Define
Catabolic (or Post-absorptive) State
A metabolic state occurring more than four hours after eating, when the digestive tract is empty and the body breaks down stored nutrients to provide energy.
Define
Glucose Sparing
A process where other cells in the body use fuels other than glucose to make ATP, preserving glucose for neurons.
Define
Cellular Respiration
A biochemical process that extracts energy from nutrients by breaking down chemical bonds in glucose to produce ATP.
Define
Glycolysis
The first step in cellular respiration, where glucose is broken down into pyruvate, producing ATP and NADH.
Define
Glycogenesis
The process of converting excess glucose into glycogen for storage in the liver and skeletal muscles.
Define
Lipogenesis
The process of converting excess glucose or amino acids into triglycerides for storage in adipose tissue.
Define
Glycogenolysis
The process of breaking down glycogen into glucose to maintain blood glucose levels during fasting.
Define
Gluconeogenesis
The creation of new glucose from non-carbohydrate sources, such as glycerol and amino acids, when glycogen stores are depleted.
Define
Lipolysis
The breakdown of triglycerides in adipose tissue into glycerol and fatty acids, which can be used to produce glucose through gluconeogenesis.
What is
The system in the body responsible for the breakdown and absorption of food, consisting of the digestive tract and accessory organs.
Digestive system
What is
A continuous, hollow, muscular tube extending from the mouth to the rectum, involved in the digestion and movement of food. Also known as the gastrointestinal tract or the alimentary canal.
Digestive tract
What is
Organs that assist in digestion but are not part of the digestive tract itself, including the teeth, tongue, salivary glands, gallbladder, liver, and pancreas.
Accessory organs
What is
The portion of the digestive tract where most digestion and nutrient absorption occur, consisting of the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum.
Small intestine
What is
The section of the digestive tract that absorbs water and electrolytes from indigestible food matter, and forms and expels feces. It includes the cecum, colon, and rectum.
Large intestine
What is
The final section of the large intestine that stores feces until they are expelled from the body through the anus.
Rectum
What is
A soft, rounded mass of chewed food mixed with saliva, ready to be swallowed.
Bolus
What is
A series of rhythmic, wave-like contractions of smooth muscle that move food through the digestive tract.
Peristalsis
What is
Also known as mechanical digestion; the physical process of breaking food into smaller pieces to increase surface area for chemical digestion.
Mechanical breakdown
What is
A type of mechanical breakdown in the small intestine, involving rhythmic constrictions that mix and move food back and forth to enhance digestion and absorption.
Segmentation
What is
The process by which enzymes break down complex food molecules into simpler forms that can be absorbed by the body.
Chemical digestion
What is
A polysaccharide that serves as the main storage form of glucose in animal tissues.
Glycogen
What isEnzymes that break down carbohydrates into simpler sugars.
Amylases
What is
Enzymes located on the surface of the small intestine’s epithelial cells that further break down carbohydrates, proteins, and nucleic acids.
Brush border enzymes
What is
An enzyme in the stomach that begins the digestion of proteins into smaller peptides.
Pepsin
What is
Enzymes that break down proteins into amino acids.
Proteases
What is
The process by which bile salts break down large fat globules into smaller droplets, increasing the surface area for fat digestion.
Emulsification
What is
Enzymes that break down triglycerides into fatty acids and glycerol.
Lipases
What is
Enzymes that break down nucleic acids into nucleotides.
Nucleases
What is
The innermost layer of the digestive tract, a moist membrane that lines the lumen and is involved in secreting mucus, digestive enzymes, and hormones, and absorbing nutrients.
Mucosa
What is
The layer of tissue external to the mucosa, containing elastic tissues that allow the digestive tract to stretch and recoil.
Submucosa
What is
The layer surrounding the submucosa, composed of smooth muscle cells responsible for peristalsis, segmentation, and forming sphincters to direct the movement of food.
Muscularis Externa
What is
The outermost layer of the digestive tract, providing support to the digestive organ and anchoring it to surrounding structures.
Serosa
What is
The process of swallowing, where food is pushed to the back of the mouth with the tongue and then involuntarily propelled into the pharynx.
Deglutition
What is
A ring of muscle at the end of the stomach that controls the release of stomach contents into the duodenum of the small intestine.
Pyloric Sphincter
What is
Large folds in the lining of the stomach that allow it to expand when full and increase its surface area for digestion.
Rugae
What is
A semi-liquid mixture of partially digested food and gastric juices that is gradually released from the stomach into the duodenum.
Chyme
What is
Cells in the stomach mucosa that produce mucus, forming a protective layer to shield the stomach lining from acidic gastric contents and digestive enzymes.
Goblet Cells
What is
Deep indentations in the stomach mucosa that lead to gastric glands, which secrete various substances necessary for digestion.
Gastric Pits
What is
Cells in the gastric glands that produce hydrochloric acid (HCl), which creates an acidic environment necessary for activating digestive enzymes and digesting food.
Parietal Cells
What is
Cells in the gastric glands that produce pepsinogen, an inactive precursor of the enzyme pepsin, which is activated by HCl to aid in protein digestion.
Chief Cells
What is
Sores that develop on the lining of the stomach when the mucus barrier is breached, allowing stomach acid and pepsin to damage the stomach wall.
Peptic Ulcers
What is
The first segment of the small intestine, a C-shaped tube that receives bile and pancreatic secretions, and is involved in both mechanical and chemical digestion.
Duodenum
What is
A smooth muscle valve that controls the release of bile and pancreatic secretions into the duodenum.
Hepatopancreatic Sphincter
What is
The middle segment of the small intestine, primarily involved in nutrient absorption and digestion.
Jejunum
What is
The final segment of the small intestine, ending at the large intestine, where the absorption of nutrients continues.
Ileum
What is
Deep, permanent folds in the submucosa and mucosa layers of the small intestine that increase surface area and slow the movement of chyme for enhanced nutrient absorption.
Circular Folds
What is
Finger-like projections of the mucosa in the small intestine that increase surface area for nutrient absorption, containing capillaries and lacteals to transport absorbed nutrients.
Villi
What is
Tiny, densely packed projections on the surface of absorptive cells in the small intestine, forming the “brush border,” which contains enzymes for the final stages of digestion.
Microvilli
What is
The fuzzy appearance of the microvilli on the surface of absorptive cells, equipped with enzymes that complete the chemical digestion of carbohydrates, proteins, and nucleic acids.
Brush Border
What is
Cells found in the intestinal crypts that secrete alkaline intestinal juice to neutralize acids and add water to the chyme, aiding in nutrient absorption.
Enterocytes
What is
Indentations in the mucosa between the villi that contain enterocytes and stem cells responsible for secreting intestinal juices and renewing the epithelial lining.
Intestinal Crypts
What is
A lymphatic capillary located in the core of the villi that absorbs and transports lipids and other nutrients to the liver.
Lacteal
What is
A valve located between the ileum of the small intestine and the cecum of the large intestine, preventing the backflow of waste into the small intestine.
Ileocecal Valve
What is
A pouch-like structure that forms the beginning of the large intestine, located beneath the ileocecal valve.
Cecum
What is
A small, tube-like appendage connected to the cecum, containing lymphoid tissue and involved in immune functions.
Vermiform Appendix
What is
The longest part of the large intestine, divided into the ascending colon, transverse colon, descending colon, and sigmoid colon.
Colon
What is
The portion of the colon that extends upwards from the cecum to the transverse colon.
Ascending Colon
What is
The section of the colon that runs horizontally across the abdomen from the ascending colon to the descending colon.
Transverse Colon
What is
The segment of the colon that descends from the transverse colon to the sigmoid colon.
Descending Colon
What is
The S-shaped segment of the colon that connects the descending colon to the rectum.
Sigmoid Colon
What is
Three bands of longitudinal muscle along the colon that contract to form haustra and move waste through the large intestine.
Teniae Coli
What is
Pouch-like sacs formed by the contraction of the teniae coli in the large intestine.
Haustra
What is
An involuntary muscle located at the anus, controlled by parasympathetic motor neurons, that maintains closure of the anal canal.
Internal Sphincter
What is
A voluntary muscle located at the anus, controlled by somatic motor neurons, that can be consciously relaxed to allow defecation.
External Sphincter
What is
Powerful, long contractions in the colon that propel contents toward the rectum and are typically triggered by eating.
Mass Movements
What is
A blood vessel that supplies oxygenated blood from the systemic circulation to the liver, constituting approximately 20% of the liver’s blood supply.
Hepatic Artery
What is
A blood vessel that supplies nutrient-rich blood from the digestive tract to the liver, constituting approximately 80% of the liver’s blood supply.
Hepatic Portal Vein
What is
The system of veins that carries blood from the digestive organs to the liver for processing.
Hepatic Portal System
What is
The structural and functional units of the liver, each composed of hepatocytes arranged around a central vein, and connected by the portal triad.
Liver Lobules
What is
A collection of three vessels at each corner of a liver lobule: an arterial branch of the hepatic artery, a venous branch of the hepatic portal vein, and a bile duct.
Portal Triad
What is
A vessel in the portal triad that collects bile produced by hepatocytes and transports it to the gallbladder.
Bile Duct
What isSpecialized capillaries in the liver with large fenestrations that allow the exchange of large molecules and filtering of blood.
Liver Sinusoids
What is
The vein at the center of each liver lobule that collects filtered blood and drains it into the hepatic vein.
Central Vein
What is
The vein that carries blood from the liver to the inferior vena cava, returning it to the systemic circulation.
Hepatic Vein