Digestive & Reproductive Systems – Lecture Exam 4 Review

A comprehensive set of question-and-answer flashcards covering key concepts from the digestive and reproductive system lecture to aid exam preparation.

What is the mechanical breakdown of food in the mouth by chewing called?

Mastication

Which plexus of the enteric nervous system primarily controls gastrointestinal motility?

Myenteric plexus

Which hormone is secreted by adipose (fat) cells to suppress appetite via the hypothalamus?

Leptin

Which stomach-derived hormone is commonly referred to as the “hunger hormone”?

Ghrelin

Which salivary-gland enzyme begins carbohydrate digestion by breaking down starch to maltose?

Salivary amylase

Which enzyme, active in the stomach’s acidic environment, initiates lipid digestion?

Lingual lipase

What is the act of swallowing (with voluntary and involuntary phases) called?

Deglutition

Sodium bicarbonate is secreted by the into the to neutralize gastric acid.

Pancreas; small intestine (duodenum)

Enzymes that break proteins into peptides or amino acids are collectively called what?

Proteolytic enzymes (proteases)

Name three major proteolytic enzymes involved in digestion.

Pepsin, trypsin, and chymotrypsin

Enzymes that digest triglycerides into fatty acids and monoglycerides are known as .

Lipases

What term describes the wave-like smooth-muscle contractions that propel food along the GI tract?

Peristalsis

What are the sac-like pouches of the colon that help mix and move its contents called?

Haustra

Which of the following is NOT considered a main function of the digestive system: ingestion, absorption, chemical digestion, or hormone production?

Hormone production

Which layer of the digestive tract is chiefly responsible for secretion, absorption, and protection?

Mucosa

Which of the following is classified as an accessory digestive organ: esophagus, stomach, liver, or small intestine?

Liver

Which salivary glands are located near the ears and secrete watery, amylase-rich saliva?

Parotid glands

Which salivary glands, found beneath the tongue, produce mostly mucous saliva?

Sublingual glands

Breaking food into smaller physical pieces is called digestion.

Mechanical digestion

Which section of the pharynx (behind the nasal cavity) is devoted primarily to air passage?

Nasopharynx

Which section of the pharynx (closest to the esophagus) directs food toward the esophagus and air toward the larynx?

Laryngopharynx

Which of the following is NOT a stomach function: mechanical digestion, temporary storage, bile production, or limited absorption?

Bile production

Which phase of gastric regulation occurs before food enters the stomach and stimulates gastric secretion?

Cephalic phase

Which phase of gastric regulation begins once food is in the stomach, enhancing motility and secretion?

Gastric phase

All of the following are liver functions EXCEPT: detoxification, nutrient metabolism, bile production, or feces formation/storage.

Feces formation and storage

What is the main function of the colon (large intestine)?

Absorption of water and electrolytes

What reflex expels feces from the rectum through the anus?

Defecation reflex

Failure of the cardiac (lower esophageal) sphincter causing acidic backflow into the esophagus is called .

Esophageal reflux (GERD)

A chronic inflammatory bowel disease usually affecting the ileum but possible anywhere in the GI tract is .

Crohn’s disease

Superficial inflammation of the gastric mucosa (often termed gastritis) is commonly called .

Gastric and peptic ulcers

Cancer that originates in the colon or rectum is known as .

Colorectal cancer

Which type of polyp is considered pre-cancerous and can progress to colorectal cancer?

Adenomatous polyps (adenomas)

Inflammation of the stomach and small intestine is termed .

Gastroenteritis

Which testicular cells produce testosterone?

Leydig’s (interstitial) cells

Which “nurse” cells support and nourish developing sperm?

Sertoli cells

Which erectile tissue surrounds the urethra and keeps it open during ejaculation?

Corpus spongiosum

Which paired erectile bodies are chiefly responsible for achieving erection length and rigidity?

Corpora cavernosa

A mature, fluid-filled ovarian follicle ready for ovulation is a follicle.

Graafian (mature) follicle

What is the protective layer of cells that surrounds the oocyte after ovulation and aids sperm recognition?

Corona radiata

Which ovarian cells (outside the follicle) help produce estrogen precursors and androgens?

Thecal cells

Which short-lived ovarian structure secretes progesterone to support early pregnancy?

Corpus luteum

What scar-like structure remains after the corpus luteum degenerates (when pregnancy does not occur)?

Corpus albicans

What does GnRH stand for?

Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone

Which hypothalamic hormone stimulates the anterior pituitary to release FSH and LH?

GnRH

Which pituitary hormone triggers ovulation in females and stimulates testosterone production in males?

Luteinizing hormone (LH)

Which pituitary hormone stimulates follicle development in ovaries and spermatogenesis in testes?

Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)

A pregnancy in which the embryo implants outside the uterus is termed .

Ectopic pregnancy

What is the term for the entire process of sperm cell development?

Spermatogenesis

One primary spermatocyte ultimately produces how many spermatids?

Four

The process of female gamete (egg) development is known as .

Oogenesis

Spermatogenesis typically begins at what life stage?

Puberty

Oogenesis begins during which developmental period?

Before birth (prenatal)

Which of the following is an accessory gland of the male reproductive system: testis, epididymis, seminal vesicle, or vas deferens?

Seminal vesicle

Which gland produces an alkaline, fructose-rich fluid that makes up most of semen volume?

Seminal vesicles

Which gland secretes a milky, slightly acidic fluid containing citric acid and proteolytic enzymes?

Prostate gland

Which glands secrete an alkaline mucus during arousal to neutralize urine acids and lubricate the urethra?

Bulbourethral (Cowper’s) glands

During which ovarian phase do several follicles grow and one becomes dominant, producing estrogen?

Follicular phase

Which hormone primarily drives the follicular phase of the ovarian cycle?

Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)

During which ovarian phase does the dominant follicle rupture and release the oocyte?

Ovulation phase

During which ovarian phase is a woman most fertile?

Ovulation phase

Which ovarian phase features corpus luteum activity to support possible pregnancy?

Luteal phase

The corpus luteum secretes mainly which two hormones?

Estrogen and progesterone

Which uterine phase prepares the endometrium with nutrients in anticipation of implantation?

Secretory phase

Which uterine phase rebuilds the endometrial lining after menstruation?

Proliferative phase

The proliferative (uterine) phase corresponds most closely with which ovarian phase?

Late follicular phase

Which hormone dominates the secretory phase of the uterine cycle?

Progesterone

Which hormone is dominant during the proliferative phase?

Estrogen

The natural cessation of menstrual cycles for 12 consecutive months is called .

Menopause

Menopause most commonly occurs at what age range?

Approximately 45–55 years old

What directly causes menopause?

Ovaries stop releasing eggs, leading to decreased estrogen and progesterone production

Which two pituitary hormones rise markedly during menopause?

FSH and LH

An infection involving the uterus, fallopian tubes, and/or ovaries is called .

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)

The most common underlying cause of PID is .

Sexually transmitted infections (especially chlamydia or gonorrhea)

The inability to achieve or maintain an erection adequate for intercourse is termed .

Erectile dysfunction

Name one psychological factor that can contribute to erectile dysfunction.

Stress or anxiety (either is acceptable)

A malignant tumor originating in the prostate gland is .

Prostate cancer

Cancer arising in the ovaries is called .

Ovarian cancer

Cancer developing in the cervix (opening of the uterus) is .

Cervical cancer

The most common cause of cervical cancer is infection with .

Human Papillomavirus (HPV)

Which two androgens are thought to play a role in the development of prostate cancer?

Testosterone and dihydrotestosterone

Which hormone relaxes uterine muscles, softens the cervix, and loosens pelvic ligaments during pregnancy?

Relaxin

Which hormone specifically inhibits FSH (and to some extent GnRH) secretion?

Inhibin