Lab 12 - Gastrointestinal System Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards for the gastrointestinal system based on lecture notes.

Gastric Pits & Glands

Located in the stomach, these structures are crucial for stomach function.

Lumen

The inside space of a tubular structure, such as an intestine or artery.

Mucosa

The innermost layer of the gastrointestinal tract.

Submucosa

The layer of tissue lying underneath the mucosa and containing blood vessels, lymphatic vessels, and nerves.

Muscularis

The muscular layer of the gastrointestinal tract responsible for peristalsis.

Serosa

The outermost layer of the gastrointestinal tract, providing protection and support.

Microvilli

Microscopic cellular membrane protrusions that increase the surface area for diffusion and minimize any increase in volume

Plicae

Folds in the wall of the digestive tract that increase surface area.

Villi

Folds in the epithelium of the small intestine that increase surface area for absorption.

Microvilli

Folds in the cell membrane of intestinal cells that further increase surface area for absorption.

Acinar cells

Exocrine cells in the pancreas that produce and secrete digestive enzymes.

Islets of Langerhans

Endocrine cells in the pancreas that produce and secrete hormones like insulin and glucagon.

Liver Lobule

Functional unit of the liver.

Bile

A digestive fluid produced by the liver and stored in the gallbladder that helps in the digestion of fats.

Glycogen

A form of energy storage made of glucose molecules

Amylase

An enzyme that breaks down carbohydrates (starch).

Lipase

An enzyme that breaks down lipids (fats).

Pepsin

An enzyme that breaks down proteins in the stomach.

Bile salts

Emulsify fats, increasing digestion.

Pancreatic lipase

An enzyme secreted by the pancreas that digests fats