Digestive Physiology Review Questions

These flashcards include key vocabulary terms and definitions related to digestive physiology, based on the lecture notes.

Salivary Amylase

An enzyme that initiates the breakdown of starch into smaller sugars.

Lingual Lipase

An enzyme that begins the digestion of fats by breaking down triglycerides into diglycerides and fatty acids.

Submucosal Plexus

Nerve plexus that regulates glandular secretion and mucosal blood flow.

Myenteric Plexus

Nerve plexus that controls gastrointestinal motility.

M Cells

Cells that deliver antigens to the submucosal GI lymph nodes.

HCl

Hydrochloric acid secreted by parietal cells, functions to denature proteins, kill bacteria, and activate pepsinogen to pepsin.

Chief Cells

Cells that secrete pepsinogen, which breaks down proteins into smaller peptides.

ECL Cells

Cells that secrete histamine to stimulate parietal cells to secrete HCl.

G Cells

Cells that secrete gastrin to stimulate parietal cells to secrete HCl.

Cholecystokinin (CCK)

Hormone released in response to fats and proteins, targeting the gallbladder, pancreas, and stomach.

Gastric Phase

Phase of digestion controlled by neural and hormonal mechanisms within the stomach.

Intestinal Phase

Phase of digestion regulated by hormones from the small intestine; inhibits gastric activity, promotes pancreatic and biliary secretions.

Pancreatic Enzymes

Enzymes such as trypsinogen, chymotrypsinogen, and procarboxypeptidase activated in protein digestion.

Insulin

Hormone released by beta cells in response to high blood glucose levels, increasing glucose uptake and storage.

Glucagon

Hormone released by alpha cells in response to low blood glucose levels, raising blood glucose levels through glycogenolysis.

Disaccharides

Sugars made up of two monosaccharides; include sucrose, lactose, and maltose, broken down by sucrase, lactase, and maltase.

Chylomicrons

Particles formed from re-esterified triglycerides in enterocytes, released into the lymphatic system and eventually the bloodstream.

Facilitated Diffusion

Process by which glucose, galactose, and fructose are transported into the blood.

Liver Functions

Metabolism of carbohydrates, proteins, synthesis of bile, detoxification of drugs and toxins, storage of vitamins and minerals.

Gallbladder

An organ that stores and concentrates bile.