Bio Quiz - Digestive System (NO MICROBIOMES OR MOUTH STRUCTURES)

structure

made of the gastrointestinal tract and accessory organs

gastrointestinal tract

mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, rectum, anus

accessory organs

salivary glands, liver, gallbladder, pancreas

function

chemical and mechanical digestion/breakdown of food: turning food into small, usable molecules that can be absorbed and used in the body for different purposes

mechanical digestion

chewing, churning (smooth muscle of the stomach contracts to physically mix bolus with gastric juices —> chyme), peristalsis

peristalsis

coordinated smooth muscle contractions that are wave-like, move bolus down the esophagus

chemical

acids, enzymes (pepsin, amylase, lipase, proteases), bile (lipids), secretes hydrochloric acid and enzymes to break down food

pepsin breaks down…

proteins

amylase breaks down…

carbs

lipase breaks down…

lipids

proteases breaks down…

proteins

bolus

food when it’s in the mouth or esophagus

chyme

food when it’s in the stomach or small intestine

feces

food when it’s in the large intestine, rectum, or anus

esophagus

transports bolus and liquids from the pharynx to the stomach, performs peristalsis, upper and lower sphincters (similar to valves in heart but not as foolproof bc need to be able to throw-up and acid reflux)

upper sphincter (UES)

circle flap of muscle, protects bolus from entering the windpipe

dysphagia

difficulty swallowing due to dysfunctional UES (leads to choking)

lower sphincter (LES)

protects upper digestive tract by blocking stomach acid from moving upwards

acid reflux

when stomach acid flows backward into the esophagus (food pipe), causing a burning sensation (heartburn) because the LES muscle relaxes improperly

GERD

gastroesophageal reflux disease: a chronic digestive disorder where stomach acid frequently flows back into the esophagus

stomach

mechanical digestion, chemical digestion (main enzymes: pepsin and gastric lipase), pyloric sphincter slowly moves chyme into small intestine

small intestine

the body’s primary nutrient absorber (~90%), averages 22 ft long (high surface area = more absorption), 3 segments (chyme is moved through them through peristalsis)

duodenum

SIS1: receives chyme from stomach, neutralizes stomach acid, breaks down chyme using enzymes and bile

jejunum

SIS2: longest segment, main site of absorption: amino acids and sugars (bloodstream), fatty acids (lymphatic stream)

llelum

SIS3: absorbs vitamin B12 and bile, moves chyme to large intestine

large intestine (colon)

absorbs water and electrolytes (compacts chyme into feces), fermentation of fiber by gut bacteria produce vitamins, peristalsis moves feces to rectum for excretion after storage

bristol stool chart

medical tool that classifies feces into seven types (types 1+2: constipation, types 3+4: healthy, types 5+6 diarrhea, type 7: extreme diarrhea)

rectum

stores feces, when full triggers brain to tell you to use the bathroom, last minute water absorption

anus

internal (involuntary sphincter) opens when rectum is full, external sphincter (voluntary) opens to release feces when you choose to

salivary glands

produce saliva with enzymes, chemical breakdown

liver

production of bile, absorption of nutrients, detoxifies by filtering blood from small intestine

gallbladder

stores bile from liver, moves into small intestine (duodenum) during digestion of fatty foods

pancreas

produce amylase, lipase, proteases —> moves through pancreatic duct and into small intestine (duodenum), neutralizes stomach acid, connects digestive system to endocrine system

importance of water

the more fiber you intake, the more active your digestive system. because of this, transitioning to a high fiber diet can result in constipation (your body is digesting and preparing feces quicker than it’s used to). to prevent constipation and bloating/pain, an increase of water is NEEDED. your body needs water to run. even if it’s doing everything right, if it does not have enough fuel, it will eventually stop performing to its best ability.

misconception about water

water does not “flush toxins”, it simply supports your digestive system to work to its full potential

importance of stress

too high levels of cortisol can reduce the biodiversity of your microbiome and reduce your intestine’s ability to absorb nutrients

importance of sleep

deep sleep (N3) is the only part of your wake/sleep cycle that your body actually uses energy to restore and repair itself, without proper amount of deep sleep your body (and microbiome) never truly “refill their batteries”, w/o sleep more susceptible to illness, infections, injury, and more because your body is “too tired” to do its job properly

probiotics

contain live microorganisms that support gut and overall health, found in fermented and supplements, do not have universal effects, not regulated by FDA

prebiotics

fiber rich foods that “feed” the microorganisms in your gut

synbiotics

when prebiotics and probiotics are used together properly and safely