Digestive System Review

A series of flashcards designed to facilitate review of key concepts from the digestive system lecture notes.

What are the major components of the digestive system?

The digestive system consists of the digestive tract and accessory organs.

What is the function of the digestive system?

Provides nutrients for cell maintenance and growth.

What are the accessory organs of the digestive system?

Salivary glands, liver, gallbladder, pancreas.

How many layers does the digestive tract have and what are they?

Four layers: Mucosa, Submucosa, Muscularis, Serosa.

What is the primary role of the mucosa in the digestive tract?

It is the inner lining, involved in absorption and secretion.

What is the primary function of the stomach?

Temporary storage of ingested food and initiation of digestion.

What is peristalsis?

A wave of muscle contraction that propels food along the digestive tract.

What are villi and their function in the small intestine?

Fingerlike projections that increase surface area for nutrient absorption.

What is the role of the liver in digestion?

It produces bile, which helps emulsify fats.

What substance is secreted by parietal cells in the stomach?

Hydrochloric acid (HCl) and intrinsic factor.

What is the role of secretin in digestion?

Stimulates pancreatic secretion of buffers to raise pH of chyme.

What is a peptic ulcer?

An erosion in the stomach or duodenal lining caused by gastric acids.

What is the main function of the large intestine?

Absorbing water and compacting material into feces.

What is the difference between endopeptidases and exopeptidases?

Endopeptidases break down interior peptide bonds, while exopeptidases cleave terminal peptide bonds.

What is the defecation reflex?

Involuntary response triggered by the stretching of the rectal wall when feces enter.

What are the main hormones involved in digestive regulation produced by the duodenum?

Gastrin, Secretin, Cholecystokinin (CCK), Gastric Inhibitory Peptide (GIP).

What is the dominant type of muscle tissue in the digestive tract?

Smooth muscle.

What is the function of the gallbladder?

Storage and concentration of bile.

What causes gallstones to form?

Concentration of bile components leading to crystallization.