Gastrointestinal System Practice Flashcards

A comprehensive set of 50 vocabulary flashcards covering the organs, enzymes, hormones, and processes of the gastrointestinal system as described in the lecture notes.

Mastication

Mechanical chewing of food in the mouth.

Salivary amylase

An enzyme in the mouth that breaks down starch into maltose.

Duodenum

The first section of the small intestine and the major site of chemical digestion.

Pancreatic amylase

An enzyme produced by the pancreas that breaks carbohydrates into simple sugars in the small intestine.

Pancreatic lipase

An enzyme produced by the pancreas that breaks down fats in the small intestine.

Trypsin

A pancreatic protease that breaks down proteins in the small intestine.

Chymotrypsin

A pancreatic protease that helps break down proteins in the small intestine.

Bile

A fluid produced by the liver that emulsifies fats into smaller droplets to aid lipase activity.

Jejunum

A section of the small intestine that serves as a major site for absorption into the blood and lymph.

Ileum

The final section of the small intestine and a major site of nutrient absorption.

Lacteals

Lymphatic vessels that absorb fatty acids and fat-soluble vitamins.

Fat-soluble vitamins

Vitamins A, D, E, and K that are absorbed into the lacteals.

Pepsin

An enzyme in the stomach activated by $HCl$ that breaks proteins into peptides.

Gastric lipase

A stomach secretion responsible for minor fat digestion.

Hydrochloric acid ($HCl$)

A stomach acid that creates an acidic environment, kills microbes, and activates pepsin.

Chyme

The semi-liquid end product of food once it has been processed in the stomach.

Peristalsis

Muscle contractions that move food through the digestive tract.

Bolus

A mass of chewed food that is transported from the pharynx to the stomach.

Pharynx

The part of the digestive tract where food moves before entering the esophagus.

Esophagus

A tube that uses peristalsis to transport the bolus to the stomach without any enzymatic digestion.

Large Intestine

The organ where water, electrolytes, and vitamins produced by gut bacteria are absorbed.

Vitamin K and Biotin

Vitamins produced by beneficial gut bacteria in the large intestine.

Rectum

The site for the storage of feces before elimination.

Anus

The opening through which feces are eliminated from the body.

Liver

An organ that produces bile, detoxifies blood, processes nutrients, and stores glycogen.

Gallbladder

An accessory organ that stores and releases bile into the duodenum.

Pancreas

An organ that produces digestive enzymes and secretes bicarbonate to neutralize acidic chyme.

Bicarbonate

A secretion from the pancreas that neutralizes acidic chyme as it enters the duodenum from the stomach.

Villi

Tiny hair-like projections in the small intestine that increase surface area for absorption into the bloodstream.

Appendix

A tube-like structure attached to the cecum believed to house beneficial gut bacteria and play a minor immune role.

Cecum

The first part of the large intestine to which the appendix is attached.

Mechanical Digestion

The physical breakdown of food into smaller pieces, including mastication and stomach churning.

Chemical Digestion

The breakdown of food molecules by enzymes, acids, and bile into simpler forms.

Nutrient Absorption

The process where molecules move from the small intestine into the bloodstream or lymphatic system.

Waste Elimination

The removal of indigestible material, water, and electrolytes as feces through the rectum and anus.

Parotid Glands

The largest salivary glands, located in front of and just below each ear.

Submandibular Glands

Salivary glands located beneath the lower jaw with ducts opening on either side of the lingual frenulum.

Sublingual Glands

The smallest salivary glands, located under the tongue.

Lingual frenulum

The fold of tissue under the tongue where submandibular gland ducts open.

Gastrin

A stomach hormone that stimulates gastric glands to secrete $HCl$ and digestive enzymes.

Cholecystokinin (CCK)

A hormone released by the duodenum that triggers the gallbladder to release bile and the pancreas to release enzymes.

Secretin

A hormone released by the small intestine that signals the pancreas to release bicarbonate.

Insulin

A hormone from pancreatic beta cells that lowers blood glucose by promoting glucose uptake in cells.

Glucagon

A hormone from pancreatic alpha cells that raises blood glucose by stimulating the breakdown of glycogen.

Beta cells

Cells in the pancreas that produce the hormone insulin.

Alpha cells

Cells in the pancreas that produce the hormone glucagon.

Glycogenolysis

The process stimulated by glucagon where the liver breaks down glycogen into glucose.

Ingestion

The first stage of digestion, which involves taking food into the body through the mouth.

Propulsion

The process of food moving through the digestive tract via swallowing and peristalsis.

Defecation

The final digestive process involving the elimination of waste products as feces.