Deck 16: The Digestive System

Question 1

Identify the organs of the digestive system.

Answer 1

1. Oral cavity, teeth, tongue
2. Pharynx
3. Esophagus
4. Stomach
5. Small intestine
6. Large intestine
There are also four accessory organs that add to the digestive system:
7. Salivary glands
8. Liver
9. Gallbladder
10. Pancreas

Question 2

Match each item in column A with the most closely related item in column B. Place letters for answers in the spaces provided.

Answer 2

1.
The pyloric sphincter is a muscular band that is positioned between the small intestine and stomach. This structure is located distally from the stomach and extends from the pylorus. The pyloric sphincter's main responsibility is to regulate the flow of chyme between the stomach and small intestine. Thus, the correct answer is (c).
2.
Liver cells are otherwise called hepatocytes. They are arranged as series of irregular plates resembling the spokes of a wheel. Hence, the correct match is (k) hepatocytes.
3.
Intrinsic factor is a protein that aids our body in the absorption of vitamin B12. Vitamin B12 is essential for the formation and growth of red blood cells. Hence, the correct match is (g).
4.
Mesentery is a double layered serous membrane sheet suspending the jejunum and ileum from the posterior wall of the abdomen. Therefore, the correct match is (a).
5.
The chief cells are also called gastric zymogenic cells or peptic cells. They are present in the stomach and release pepsinogen. Hence, the correct match is (i).
6.
Palate is the roof of the oral cavity or mouth. It is seen in all mammals including humans. The main role of it is to separate the oral cavity from the nasal cavity.
Hence, the correct match is (h).
7.
Parietal cells are also called oxyntic cells or delomorphous cells. They are a kind of stomach epithelial cells. Their role is to secrete gastric acid that is hydrochloric acid and intrinsic factor. Hence, the correct match is (j).
8.
Parasympathetic system controls external organs like digestive organs. For example, the parasympathetic stimulation increases the muscular activity of the digestive system.
Hence, the correct match is (d).
9.
Sympathetic actions and parasympathetic actions are opposite to each other. For example, sympathetic stimulation inhibits the muscular activity of digestive tract. Hence, the correct match is (f).
10.
Peristalsis is a kind of movement that aids in the movement of materials along the digestive tract. Therefore, the correct match is (b).
11.
Bile salts are released from the gall bladder. They are used for the emulsification of fats. Therefore, the correct match is (l).
12.
Salivary amylase is an enzyme present in the saliva of mammals including humans. It catalyzes the hydrolysis of starch. It breaks down the starch into sugars. Hence, the correct match is (e).

Question 3

List and define the six primary functions of the digestive system.

Answer 3

The digestive system has the following functions:
1. Ingestion
2. Mechanical processing
3. Digestion
4. Secretion
5. Absorption
6. Excretion
Ingestion refers to food that enters the mouth and digestive tract. Mechanical processing is the physical breakdown of food, beginning with the tongue and teeth and ending in the digestive tract. Digestion is the chemical breakdown of food that can be absorbed by the digestive epithelium.
Secretion refers to the release of water, enzymes, acids by the digestive epithelium and accessory organs. Absorption refers to the diffusion of organic molecules, ions, and water into interstitial fluid from the epithelium. Excretion is the last step, where waste products are removed from the body.

Question 4

Describe the functions of the mesenteries.

Question 5

Name the layers of the digestive tract from superficial to deep.

Question 6

Which is more efficient in propelling intestinal contents from one place to another-peristalsis or segmentation?

Question 7

Name the structures associated with the oral cavity.

Question 8

The oral cavity is lined by which type of epithelium?

Question 9

The digestion of which nutrient would be affected by damage to the parotid salivary glands?

Question 10

Which type of tooth is most useful for chopping off bits of raw vegetables?

Question 11

Describe the function of the pharynx.

Question 12

What process is occurring when the soft palate and larynx elevate and the glottis closes?

Question 13

Name the four main regions of the stomach.

Question 14

Discuss the significance of the low pH in the stomach.

Question 15

The enzymatic breakdown of large molecules into their basic building blocks is called a) absorption.
B) secretion.
C) mechanical digestion.
D) chemical digestion.

Question 16

In a person suffering from chronic gastric ulcers, why might the branches of the vagus nerves serving the stomach be cut in an attempt to provide relief?

Question 17

The activities of the digestive system are regulated a) hormonal processes.
B) local processes.
C) neural processes.
D) a, b, and c are correct.

Question 18

Which ring of muscle regulates the flow of chyme from the stomach to the small intestine?

Question 19

The layer of the peritoneum that lines the inner surfaces of the body wall is the a) visceral peritoneum.
B) parietal peritoneum.
C) greater omentum.
D) lesser omentum.

Question 20

Name the three segments of the small intestine from proximal to distal.

Question 21

Protein digestion in the stomach results primarily from secretions released by a) hepatocytes.
B) parietal cells.
C) chief cells.
D) goblet cells.

Question 22

How is the small intestine adapted for the absorption of nutrients?

Question 23

Label the digestive system structures in the following figure.

a) __________
b) __________
c) __________
d) __________
e) __________
f) __________
g) __________
h) __________
i) __________
j) __________
k) __________

Question 24

Does a high-fat meal raise or lower the level of cholecystokinin CCK) in the blood?

Question 25

The part of the gastrointestinal tract that plays the primary role in the digestion and absorption of nutrients is the a) large intestine.
B) small intestine.
C) stomach.
D) cecum and colon.

Question 26

The digestion of which nutrient would be most impaired by damage to the exocrine pancreas?

Question 27

The duodenal hormone that stimulates the production and secretion of pancreatic enzymes is a) pepsinogen.
B) gastrin.
C) secretin.
D) cholecystokinin.

Question 28

Identify the four segments of the colon.

Question 29

The essential services) provided by the liver is are)a) metabolic regulation.
b) hematological regulation.
c) bile production.
d) a, b, and c are correct.

Question 30

What are some structural differences between the large intestine and the small intestine?

Question 31

Label the four layers of the digestive tract in the following figure.

a) __________
b) __________
c) __________
d) __________

Question 32

A narrowing of the ileocecal valve would hamper movement of chyme between what two organs?

Question 33

Bile release from the gallbladder into the duodenum occurs only under the stimulation of a) cholecystokinin.
B) secretin.
C) gastrin.
D) pepsinogen.

Question 34

What component of food would increase the number of chylomicrons in the lacteals?

Question 35

The major functions) of the large intestine is are)a) reabsorption of water and compaction of feces. b) absorption of vitamins produced by bacterial action.
C) storage of fecal material prior to defecation.
D) a, b, and c are correct.

Question 36

Removal of the stomach would impair the absorption of which vitamin?

Question 37

The part of the colon that empties into the rectum is the a) ascending colon.
B) descending colon.
C) transverse colon.
D) sigmoid colon.

Question 38

Why is it that diarrhea is potentially life threatening but constipation is not?

Question 39

What are the primary digestive functions?

Question 40

Identify general digestive system changes that occur with aging.

Question 41

What is the function of the transverse circular) or longitudinal folds in the mucosa of the digestive tract?

Question 42

Identify the functional relationships between the digestive system and other body systems presented so far.

Question 43

Describe the layers of the digestive tract, proceeding from superficial the innermost layer nearest the lumen) to deep the outermost layer).

Question 44

List the digestive system functions that are related to the cardiovascular system.

Question 45

What are the four primary functions of the oral buccal) cavity?

Question 46

What specific function does each of the four types of teeth perform in the oral cavity?

Question 47

What three segments of the small intestine are involved in the digestion and absorption of food?

Question 48

What are the primary digestive functions of the pancreas, liver, and gallbladder?

Question 49

What are the three major functions of the large intestine?

Question 50

What six age-related changes occur in the digestive system?

Question 51

If the lingual frenulum is too restrictive, an individual a) has difficulty tasting food.
B) cannot swallow properly.
C) cannot control movements of the tongue.
D) cannot eat or speak normally.

Question 52

The gastric phase of secretion is initiated by a) distension of the stomach.
B) an increase in the pH of the gastric contents.
C) the presence of undigested materials in the stomach.
D) a, b, and c are correct.

Question 53

A decrease in pH in the duodenum stimulates the secretion of a) secretin.
B) cholecystokinin.
C) gastrin.
D) a, b, and c are correct.

Question 54

Describe how the action and outcome of peristalsis differ from those of segmentation.

Question 55

How does the stomach promote and assist in the digestive process?

Question 56

Describe the events that occur during the three phases of gastric secretion.

Question 57

Some patients with gallstones develop pancreatitis. How could this occur?

Question 58

Barb suffers from Crohn's disease, a regional inflammation of the intestine that is thought to have some genetic basis, although the actual cause remains unknown. When the disease flares up, she experiences abdominal pain, weight loss, and anemia. Which parts) of the intestine is are) probably involved, and what might be the causes of her signs and symptoms?