quiz 8 MPharm Programme Week 14: Gastro-intestinal System Quiz 1,2,3

• 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.