30 Questions
What is the main function of the stomach?
Storage of ingested food and secretion of gastric juice
Which component of the stomach's mucosal lining protects it from damage?
Mucus
Where does the main digestion and absorption of ingested food occur?
Small intestine
What is the function of circular folds and villi in the small intestine?
Absorption of nutrients
What initiates protein and fat digestion in the stomach?
Gastric juice
Which organ expresses enteropeptidase, disaccharidases, and aminopeptidases for digestion?
Small intestine
What controls gastric secretion in the stomach and small intestine?
Gastrin
What is responsible for lubrication in the small intestine?
Mucus and bicarbonate
What kills bacteria and sterilizes the meal in the stomach?
Hydrochloric acid
Which phase controls gastric secretion by inhibitory mechanisms?
Intestinal phase
Which part of the GI tract is the most distensible?
Stomach
Where is the main absorption of nutrients along the length of the small intestine?
Duodenum and jejunum
What is the main function of the GI System?
Absorption of nutrients
Which part of the alimentary canal is responsible for the absorption of nutrients?
Duodenum
What is the function of the mucosa in the wall structure of the alimentary canal?
Acts as a protective barrier, secretes digestive juices and enzymes, and absorbs nutrients
What is the main function of the pancreas?
Secretion of digestive enzymes into the small intestine
Which organ stores and concentrates bile produced by the liver?
Gallbladder
What is the primary function of the oropharyngeal stage in swallowing?
Movement of a bolus through the pharynx into the esophagus
Where does chyme from the stomach arrive first in the gastrointestinal system?
Duodenum
What is the main function of the pancreas in digestion?
Secretes pancreatic juice with enzymes for digestion
Which organ stores bile and releases it into the small intestine to aid in digestion and fat emulsification?
Gallbladder
What is the main site of absorption for carbohydrates, proteins, and fats, as well as most vitamins, minerals, and water?
Jejunum
Which component of bile emulsifies dietary fats by breaking them down into smaller droplets?
Bile salts
Where does iron absorption primarily occur in the gastrointestinal system?
Jejunum
What is the main function of the large intestine?
Storage and drying organ
Which organ produces hormones like insulin and glucagon to regulate the body's metabolism?
Pancreas
What are the islets of Langerhans responsible for producing in the pancreas?
Hormones like insulin and glucagon
What is the main function of the gallbladder in digestion?
Stores bile and releases it into the small intestine to aid in digestion and fat emulsification
What does the exocrine portion of the pancreas primarily secrete to aid digestion?
Aqueous bicarbonate solution and pancreatic juice
What primarily occurs in the large intestine to produce short-chain fatty acids?
Fermentation of indigestible molecules
Study Notes
- The small intestine, the first 10 inches of which is the duodenum, is the main site of intensive digestion and absorption in the gastrointestinal system.
- The duodenum is the first part of the small intestine, where chyme from the stomach arrives, and it receives bile and pancreatic juice via the common bile duct and main pancreatic duct.
- The arrival of chyme in the duodenum stimulates the release of hepatic and pancreatic secretions, including bile and pancreatic enzymes, which help neutralize the acidity of the chyme.
- The pancreas, an organ located near the small intestine, has both exocrine and endocrine functions. Exocrine cells secrete aqueous bicarbonate solution and pancreatic juice, which contain proteases, amylase, and lipase to aid digestion.
- The endocrine portion of the pancreas, the islets of Langerhans, produces hormones like insulin and glucagon, which regulate the body's metabolism.
- The liver, the largest gland in the body, produces bile which is stored in the gallbladder and released into the small intestine to aid in digestion and fat emulsification.
- The liver is composed of plates of liver cells (hepatocytes), and its main functions include the production of bile, detoxification, and the synthesis of various proteins and other substances.
- Bile salts, a component of bile, emulsify dietary fats by breaking them down into smaller droplets, increasing the surface area available for digestion by pancreatic enzymes.
- The small intestine, specifically the duodenum and jejunum, is the main site of absorption for carbohydrates, proteins, and fats, as well as most vitamins, minerals, and water. Nutrients are absorbed through the epithelial cells and transported into the bloodstream.
- Iron absorption occurs in the small intestine through a complex process involving the reduction of iron and its transport into the bloodstream, and it is facilitated by the presence of certain proteins and other substances.
- The large intestine, which consists of the colon, caecum, appendix, and rectum, primarily serves as a storage and drying organ, but it also has a minor absorptive function, absorbing water, electrolytes, several vitamins, and some minerals.
- The large intestine also contains beneficial bacteria that produce vitamin K and folic acid, as well as ferment indigestible molecules to produce short-chain fatty acids, which are an important energy source for the body.
- The recommended reading for this module includes several textbooks on human physiology and anatomy.
Test your knowledge of the gastrointestinal system with this quiz covering the main functions, organisational anatomy, and digestive processes in the mouth, stomach, small intestine, and large intestine. This quiz is based on the content outlined in the MPharm Programme Week 14 lectures.
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