Digestive System Test Questions

What are the four divisions of the large intestine?

ascending, transverse, descending, sigmoid, rectum

What is stored in the gall bladder? What is the function of that substance?

bile - breaks down fats

What is the name of the first part of the small intestine? What is its role? Name the two hormones secreted and what their functions are.

duodenum - (full breakdown of chyme) proteins are broken down into amino acids; carbs are broken down in monosaccharides, fats are broken down CCK - tells pancreas to release enzymes and tells gallbladder to release bile (breaks down fat) secretin - forces intestine to release bicarbonate to neutralize that acidity of chyme

What is the flap of tissue that covers the trachea, when eating, that prevents choking?

epiglottis - it acts as a lid over the opening of the larynx. during swallowing, when food and liquid moves through the throat, it closes over the larynx.

What is the last part of the small intestine? What is its function?

ileum - has lymphatic tissue that searches for foreign pathogens that should not be in our tract; reabsorbs the bile salts

What is peristalsis? What is the role of the esophagus?

involuntary movements of the longitudinal and circular muscles, primarily in the digestive tract but occasionally in other hollow tubes of the body, that occur in progressive wavelike contractions. peristaltic waves occur in the esophagus, stomach, and intestines. a tube that connects the throat and the stomach. If the mouth is the gateway to the body, then the esophagus is a highway for food and drink to travel along to make it to the stomach.

What is the second part of the small intestine? What is its function? What are villi? Why are they so important?

jejunum; the jejunum absorbs the nutrients into the bloodstream; magnesium reabsorption villi - increase surface area for absorption

Specifically name the enzymes secreted by the pancreas.

proteases - digest proteins pancreatic amylase - digestion of carbohydrates lipase - break down fats nucleases - break down DNA and RNA

Name the 3 Major Salivary Glands and explain what they secrete?

1. parotid gland - largest salivary gland; secretes 100% serous saliva; located below the external auditory meatus, between the mastoid process and the posterior border of the ramus; produces about 25% of the saliva volume; main gland that produces amylase 2. submandibular gland - produces 60-65% of saliva volume; walnut sized; between the body of the mandible and the mylohyoid muscle in the Submandibular fossa; produces mostly mucous saliva 3. sublingual gland - produces 5-10% of saliva volume; in the sublingual fossa in the floor of the mouth; smallest of the major glands; mucus and saliva

What is amylase?

Amylase is an enzyme that catalyses the breakdown of starch into sugar; found in saliva

Name 6 major functions of the liver?

Bile production and excretion Excretion of bilirubin, cholesterol, hormones, and drugs Metabolism of fats, proteins, and carbohydrates Enzyme activation Storage of glycogen, vitamins, and minerals Synthesis of plasma proteins, such as albumin, and clotting factors Blood detoxification and purification

What type of digestion takes place in the mouth?

Mechanical digestion involves physically breaking down the food into smaller pieces. Mechanical digestion begins in the mouth as the food is chewed. Chemical digestion involves breaking down the food into simpler nutrients that can be used by the cells. Chemical digestion begins in the mouth when food mixes with saliva. Saliva contains an enzyme called amylase that is released and begins the breakdown of carbohydrates.

Name the 4 main cell types of the stomach, what they secrete, and the function of those secretions.

Mucous cells: secrete an alkaline mucus that protects the epithelium against shear stress and acid Parietal cells: produce and secrete gastric acid; helps digestion by breaking the bonds linking amino acids, a process known as proteolysis. Chief cells: secrete pepsinogen, a proteolytic enzyme which digest proteins (pepsinogen will not activate until it comes in contact with gastric acid) G cells: secrete the hormone gastrin; which stimulates the release of gastric acid

Describe the two types of digestion that take place in the stomach?

The churning action of the stomach muscles (mechanical digestion) physically breaks down the food. The stomach releases acids and enzymes for the chemical breakdown of food. The enzyme pepsin is responsible for protein breakdown.

What is a sphincter? How many sphincters are found in the stomach? What are the names?

a ring of muscle surrounding and serving to guard or close an opening or tube, such as the anus or the openings of the stomach (valve) two sphincters - lower esophageal (cardiac sphincter) and the pyloric sphincter

Name all the roles of the large intestine?

absorbing water; absorption of vitamins; storage of waste

Summary: Explain where in the digestive system each component of the pepperoni pizza is broken down?

cheese (fat and protein); pepperoni (fat and protein); crust (carbs) mouth releases amylase. food into bollus and sent to stomach. pepsin breaks down the proteins. duodenum - full breakdown of pizza. cecum will break down parts that cannot be broken down naturally. Reabsorption of minerals and water in ascending and transverse colon.