Gastrointestinal and Bone Physiology Review

These flashcards cover key terms and concepts related to gastrointestinal and bone physiology, including hormones, enzymes, digestion processes, and related conditions.

Gastrin

A hormone produced in the stomach that stimulates the secretion of gastric acid (HCl) from parietal cells.

Secretin

A hormone produced in the duodenum that stimulates the release of sodium bicarbonate and bile from the pancreas and liver, respectively.

Cholecystokinin (CCK)

A hormone that stimulates the gallbladder to contract and release bile, as well as promoting the release of digestive enzymes from the pancreas.

Pepsinogen

An inactive precursor of pepsin, secreted by chief cells in the stomach, which is activated in the presence of hydrochloric acid.

Pepsin

An enzyme in the stomach that breaks down proteins into smaller polypeptides.

Trypsin

A proteolytic enzyme secreted by the pancreas that further digests proteins in the small intestine.

Amylase

An enzyme that breaks down carbohydrates, specifically starches, into smaller sugars.

Emulsification

The process by which bile salts disperse fat globules in the intestine into smaller droplets to aid in digestion.

Micelles

Small aggregates of lipids that are formed when bile salts interact with fat droplets, facilitating the absorption of fatty acids and monoglycerides in the intestine.

Electrolyte Imbalance

An abnormal fluctuation of minerals and salts (e.g., calcium, magnesium) in the blood that can lead to various physiological symptoms.

Hypercalcemia

A condition characterized by elevated levels of calcium in the blood, caused by hyperparathyroidism or malignancy.

Tetany

Involuntary muscle contractions that can result from low calcium levels (hypocalcemia) affecting nerve function.

Osteoporosis

A bone disease characterized by decreased bone density and increased risk of fractures, typically due to an imbalance in bone resorption and formation.

Rickets

A condition in children caused by vitamin D deficiency, leading to softened and weakened bones.

Bone resorption

The process by which osteoclasts break down bone tissue, releasing calcium into the bloodstream.

Nitrogenous bases

The basic building blocks of nucleotides found in nucleic acids, including adenine, guanine, cytosine, thymine, and uracil.

Brush border enzymes

Enzymes located on the microvilli of intestinal epithelial cells that aid in the digestion of nutrients in the small intestine.

Hypomagnesemia

Low levels of magnesium in the blood, potentially causing symptoms such as muscle excitability or tremors.

Parathyroid hormone (PTH)

A hormone that increases blood calcium levels by stimulating bone resorption, increasing renal reabsorption of calcium, and promoting synthesis of active vitamin D.