Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM


Top Flashcards (Certified)
All Flashcards

Semester 1 Biomedicine > Digestive System P1 > Flashcards

Digestive System P1 Flashcards

(75 cards)

Start Studying
1
Q

What are the components of the digestive system?

A
  • Mouth
  • Pharynx
  • Oesophagus
  • Stomach
  • Small intestine
  • Large intestine
  • Accessory organs (salivary glands, pancreas, liver, gall bladder, biliary tract)
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Define ingestion in the context of the digestive system.

A

Oral intake of substances into the mouth.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What substances are secreted during digestion?

A
  • Water
  • Acid
  • Emulsifiers
  • Buffers
  • Enzymes (saliva, gastric juices, pancreatic juices)
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What is the process of absorption in digestion?

A

Substances passing through walls in the alimentary canal into blood and lymph.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

List the four basic layers of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT).

A
  • Mucosa
  • Submucosa
  • Muscularis
  • Serosa (peritoneum)
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What is the function of the mucosa layer?

A

Innermost layer of the GIT involved in protection and absorption.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What are Goblet cells responsible for?

A

Secretion of mucus to lubricate food and protect against digestive juice erosion.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What is GALT?

A

Gut-associated lymphoid tissue, part of the immune system located in the GIT.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What is the role of the muscularis mucosa?

A

Creates villi to increase surface area for absorption and digestion.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

True or False: The peritoneum is the largest serous membrane in the body.

A

True.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What is ascites?

A

Accumulation of fluid in the peritoneal cavity.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What is the greater omentum?

A

The largest fold of the peritoneum that drapes over the transverse colon and small intestine.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Fill in the blank: The enteric nervous system is known as the _______.

A

brain of the gut.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What are the two layers of the peritoneum?

A
  • Parietal
  • Visceral
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What is the primary function of saliva?

A

Chemical breakdown of polysaccharides and lubrication of food.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What is the length of the oesophagus?

A

25 cm long.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

What does the stomach secrete daily?

A

2–3L of highly acidic gastric juice and mucus.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

What are the three types of exocrine cells in the stomach?

A
  • Parietal cells
  • Chief cells
  • Goblet cells
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

What hormone stimulates hunger?

A

Ghrelin.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

What is the function of pancreatic amylase?

A

Breaks down starches into sugars.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

What is the role of the lower oesophageal sphincter?

A

Prevents reflux of stomach contents into the oesophagus.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

Explain peristalsis.

A

Involuntary smooth muscle contractions that aid in propelling food along the digestive tract.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

What does the submucosal plexus control?

A

Digestive secretions and detects sensory information.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

What is the role of the liver in the GIT blood supply?

A

Filters the blood and processes nutrients which then enter systemic circulation.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
What is the primary function of pancreatic amylase?
Breaks down starches into sugars
26
What does pancreatic lipase digest?
Lipid / fat digestion
27
Name two enzymes involved in protein digestion.
* Trypsin * Chymotrypsin
28
What is the function of ribonuclease?
Digest RNA
29
What is the function of deoxyribonuclease?
Digest DNA
30
How long is the pancreas?
Approximately 15 cm
31
What connects the pancreas to the duodenum?
Pancreatic duct
32
What is the shape and size of the gallbladder?
Pear-shaped sac measuring 7–10 cm in length
33
What is the role of bile in digestion?
Emulsifies fats
34
What constitutes bile?
* Bile salts * Cholesterol * Bilirubin
35
What hormone is secreted by enteroendocrine cells in the duodenum?
Cholecystokinin (CCK)
36
What triggers the release of cholecystokinin?
High fat or protein chyme entering the duodenum
37
What is the primary function of brush border enzymes?
Facilitate absorption
38
Fill in the blank: 90% of absorption occurs in the _______.
small intestine
39
What are the three regions of the small intestine?
* Duodenum * Jejunum * Ileum
40
What is absorbed in the ileum?
Vitamin B12
41
What are the four regions of the large intestine?
* Caecum * Colon * Rectum * Anal canal
42
What is the function of Kupffer cells in the liver?
Remove foreign bodies from the blood
43
How does the liver process blood from the gastrointestinal tract?
Through the portal vein for filtration and metabolism
44
What type of blood does the hepatic artery bring to the liver?
Oxygenated blood
45
What is the role of the ileocaecal valve?
Allows one-way flow of materials from the small to large intestine
46
What is the primary energy storage molecule in animals?
Glycogen
47
What are the two phases of liver detoxification?
* Phase I: Bio-activation * Phase II: Conjugation
48
What is the composition of triglycerides?
Glycerol and three fatty acid chains
49
What is the primary function of dietary lipids?
Energy, insulation, cell membranes, hormone production, protection of organs
50
What distinguishes saturated fatty acids from unsaturated fatty acids?
Saturated fatty acids contain the greatest number of hydrogen atoms without double bonds
51
What is the basic building block of proteins?
Amino acids
52
What is the role of the gallbladder during fat digestion?
Contracts to eject bile into the duodenum
53
What are microvilli?
Projections of absorptive cells that increase surface area
54
What is the role of dipeptidase?
Breaks down proteins into amino acids
55
True or False: The large intestine produces enzymes for digestion.
False
56
What percentage of bile is typically reabsorbed and returned to the liver?
90–95%
57
What is the primary function of the liver?
Over 500 functions including detoxification and bile production
58
What is the role of dietary cellulose in digestion?
Acts as indigestible fiber
59
What are trans fats?
Fats associated with heart disease, formed by positioning H atoms on opposite sides ## Footnote Trans fats are typically found in hydrogenated vegetable oils.
60
What are the basic building blocks used to make proteins?
Amino acids
61
What percentage of total body mass do proteins make up?
15%
62
What is the significance of the 3D structure of proteins?
It is essential for their function
63
What must happen to proteins before protease enzymes can cleave amino acids?
They must be denatured
64
What does denature mean?
To destroy properties of a molecule
65
Where are amino acids absorbed in the body?
In the small intestine
66
List at least three functions of proteins.
* Immunity (immunoglobulins, antibodies) * Structures (muscles, collagen) * Enzymes, hormones, neurotransmitters, energy
67
What are enzymes?
Proteins that act as biological catalysts
68
What is the role of enzymes in chemical reactions?
They speed up chemical reactions up to thousands of times
69
How are enzymes specific in their function?
They are highly specific regarding what substrate they react with (lock and key)
70
What suffix do enzyme names typically end with?
-ase
71
What is an example of an enzyme involved in protein digestion?
Pepsin
72
Are enzymes changed or consumed in a chemical reaction?
No, they can perform the same reaction many times
73
What factors can easily denature proteins?
pH and temperature changes
74
Fill in the blank: Proteins must first be _______ before protease enzymes can efficiently cleave the amino acids apart.
denatured
75
True or False: Enzymes are consumed in a chemical reaction.
False

Semester 1 Biomedicine (3 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions