1.     The gastrointestinal (GI) tract = _?_

2. Compare and contrast the following:

a.     Ingestion

     b.     Mechanical processing

c.     Digestion

d.     Secretion

e.     Absorption

f.      Excretion

3. Define mastication and explain the mechanics of this process.

What types of what enzymes and other components can be found in saliva

What are the four major functions of saliva?

Digestion of what substances begins in the mouth? What enzymes are responsible for this?

What are some typical causes of halitosis?

What type of muscle tissue is responsible for movement of substances through the GI tract?

Define peristalsis and bolus

Explain how circular and longitudinal smooth muscle makes peristalsis possible.

What is a sphincter? What are the sphincters at the top at bottom of the esophagus called? What is another name for the sphincter found at the bottom of the esophagus (where it meets the stomach)?

Compare and contrast primary and secondary peristaltic waves.

  What is another name for swallowing?

  Describe, in detail, the four phases of swallowing.

What is the function of the epiglottis?

Describe how an individual gets heartburn and what it can progress to if it is chronic and left untreated.

Compare and contrast segmentation and peristalsis.

  Of what significance is it that the blood vessels of the alimentary canal are located in the submucosal layer?

What exactly is the myenteric plexus? What type of tissue is it woven through? Hint: Myo!

Which two cranial never communicate with the myenteric plexus?

Which division of the autonomic nervous system is associated with the GI tract?

What type of cells in the GI tract make hormones?

Compare and contrast the visceral and parietal peritoneum.

What are rugae? What do they do, in terms of surface area, for the stomach?

List AND describe the four functions of the stomach.

How does the acidity of the stomach relate to the activation of pepsinogen? What is pepsinogen converted to? What type of nutrient does this break down? Hint: Think Peptide bond!

   List AND describe the major events occurring during each of the three phases of gastric secretion. There is a lot going on with this question, so make sure to include the following FOR EACH STAGE:

a.     CNS involvement

b.     Local cells involved (cells of the stomach)

c.     Hormones produced by these cells.

d.     Effects of the hormones on other cells (are they stimulatory or inhibitory).

What is chyme?

List and describe the major gastric juices found in the stomach.

Describe the acidity of the stomach, the purpose of this, and what its protection is against this harsh environment.

  Does any nutrient absorption occur in the stomach?

What exactly is a peptic ulcer? How about a duodenal ulcer? Where do most ulcers occur in the GI tract?

List the three regions of the small intestine in order.

What is the significance of the vascularity of the small intestine?

Describe how the surface area of the small intestine is increased (what structures?)

What is the brush border?

  What do Brunner’s glands make? Why is the product of these glands important?

Diagram the activation of trypsinogen.

What do enteroendocrine cells of the small intestine make?

  Relate the functions of water, enzymes, and simple sugars. Yes, I want you to show how a hydrolysis reaction occurs! J

What happens when a person is lactose intolerant? Please just don’t state the obvious – like they fart.

Explain why the pancreas is both an endocrine and an exocrine organ.

List AND describe the major pancreatic enzymes. Is there any macronutrient (carbohydrate, protein, or fat) that the enzymes from the pancreas can’t break down?

How do emulsification and bile go hand in hand?

Does the gallbladder store or manufacture bile?

Describe and diagram ALL of the ducts from the pancreas, liver, and gallbladder. You should be able to describe what would happen (in terms of symptoms) if there were an obstruction ANYWHERE in this system of tubes!

Into what region of the small intestine do the accessory structures (pancreas, liver, and gallbladder) of the GI tract empty their contents?

Explain why Olestra is not a good idea.

List AND describe the functions of the liver. Make sure you are able to relate the absence of a particular liver function to some of the signs and symptoms of liver disease which were discussed in class. For example, if they liver makes insufficient amounts of albumin, what happens to the plasma osmotic pressure? As a result, what happens to the amount of fluid held in the blood vessel?

What is the digestive function of the liver?  

What does the ileocecal valve connect?

What are haustra?

List AND describe the major functions of the large intestine.

Describe the symbiotic relationship between E. Coli and humans.

List AND describe the vitamins produced/absorbed in the large intestine. Predict the effects of deficiencies of any one of these vitamins.

List AND describe the vitamins produced/absorbed in the large intestine. Predict the effects of deficiencies of any one of these vitamins.

Summarize the organic wastes that are produced in the large intestine. Make sure to address why our feces is normally brown-ish.

What is the significance of the relatively slow passage of material through the large intestine?

What is Primack’s favorite reflex of the GI tract?

  Which organ in the human GI tract is vestigial? What does vestigial mean anyways?

Compare and contrast segmentation (haustral churning) with mass movements in the large intestine.