Physiology Chapter 13 - Digestion Flashcards

Questions and Answers

Which of the following are major digestive organs? (Select all that apply)

Mouth (correct)

Small Intestine (correct)

Liver

Stomach (correct)

Which of the following are accessory organs? (Select all that apply)

Liver (correct)

Esophagus

Gallbladder (correct)

Pancreas (correct)

What is a bolus?

Chewed food that is swallowed and passes through the esophagus.

What is acidic chyme?

Partially digested food mixed with gastric juices. Signup and view all the answers

Where does digestion begin?

In the mouth. Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the stomach?

To partially digest protein. Signup and view all the answers

What is the duodenum?

The first part of the small intestine. Signup and view all the answers

What produces pancreatic enzymes?

Pancreatic lobules. Signup and view all the answers

What does bile do?

Emulsifies fat. Signup and view all the answers

The muscular action that allows a bolus of food to pass from the mouth to the stomach is called ______.

Peristalsis Signup and view all the answers

What is gastrin?

A digestive hormone released by the stomach. Signup and view all the answers

What does secretin target?

The pancreas and liver. Signup and view all the answers

What triggers the release of cholecystokinin (CCK)?

Presence of protein and fat Signup and view all the answers

What happens when acid enters the duodenum?

Triggers the release of secretin. Signup and view all the answers

What is lactose intolerance?

Lacking adequate amounts of lactase to digest lactose. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of microvilli?

To absorb nutrients. Signup and view all the answers

What causes gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)?

Eating fast, overeating, or reflux. Signup and view all the answers

What is pepsinogen?

An inactive enzyme that is activated to form pepsin. Signup and view all the answers

What does amylase digest?

Carbohydrates. Signup and view all the answers

What enzymes are produced in the stomach?

Pepsin. Signup and view all the answers

What buffers are released from the pancreas?

Buffers to stabilize pH in the small intestine. Signup and view all the answers

What triggers the autonomic nervous system to release gastrin?

Stress or stretching of the stomach. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Major Digestive Organs

Mouth, stomach, and small intestine play crucial roles in digestion.
The mouth begins the process by mechanically breaking down food and starting carbohydrate digestion.

Accessory Organs

Liver produces bile, gallbladder stores it, and pancreas produces digestive enzymes.
Pancreas has both endocrine (hormone insulin) and exocrine (digestive enzymes) functions.

Bolus and Chyme

Bolus is chewed food that travels down the esophagus through peristalsis.
Acidic chyme is the mixture of partially digested food and gastric juices, entering the small intestine for further digestion.

Digestive Process in the Stomach

Stomach chemically digests proteins, releasing gastrin in response to stretching.
Gastrin triggers secretion of hydrochloric acid (HCl) and pepsinogen, which converts to pepsin for protein digestion.
Stomach maintains a highly acidic pH (1-2).

Small Intestine Functionality

Major site for digestion and absorption of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats with a neutral pH (7-8).
Produces various enzymes including peptidase, sucrase, maltase, and lactase.

Hormones Regulating Digestion

Cholecystokinin (CCK) stimulates gallbladder contraction for bile release and pancreatic enzyme secretion.
Secretin, released in response to acidic chyme, triggers bicarbonate release from the pancreas to neutralize acidity.
Gastrin promotes secretion of HCl and pepsinogen from the stomach.
Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide (VIP) increases capillary dilation within the intestinal villi enhancing nutrient absorption.

Digestive Enzymes

Key enzymes include amylase (carbohydrates), pepsin (proteins), and various pancreatic enzymes such as trypsin and lipase.
Digestive enzyme production is triggered by hormones like CCK.

Nutrient Absorption

Nutrients are absorbed in the small intestine through microvilli and enter the bloodstream for cellular usage.

Gut Conditions

Lactose intolerance results from insufficient lactase for lactose digestion.
Stomach and duodenal ulcers arise from excessive acid and insufficient protective mucus.
Helicobacter pylori is a bacterium that can cause ulcers by surviving stomach acid.

Importance of Buffers

Buffers, including bicarbonate and hemoglobin, help maintain pH balance in the small intestine.
Essential for optimal enzyme function and protection against acid damage.

Nutrients and Digestion

Complete digestion results in glucose from carbohydrates, fatty acids and glycerol from lipids, and amino acids from proteins.

Cellular Functions

Chief cells in the stomach produce pepsinogen, while parietal cells produce HCl and intrinsic factor essential for vitamin B12 absorption.

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Description

Explore key concepts of digestion with these flashcards from Physiology Chapter 13. Learn about major digestive organs, accessory organs, and important terms such as bolus and acidic chyme. Perfect for reinforcing knowledge on the digestive system!