PNB 2265 DIGESTIVE SYSTEM EXAM
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
What are the six major functions of the GI system? - Correct Answers --Ingestion of
Nutrients
-Mechanical processing
-Secretion
-Chemical processing
-Absorption
-Excretion
What is unique about ingestion of nutrients compared to the other functions of the GI
system? - Correct Answers -It is the only one under your conscious control. You choose
what to eat and when to eat it- every other function is regulated by the ANS.
Why is mechanical processing of food so important - Correct Answers -Chewing is so
important because it not only prevents choking, but it also increases the surface area of
the food, creating more places for digestive enzymes to break them down
What is the main reason for secretion of digestive enzymes from accessory glands? -
Correct Answers -The enzymes break down chemical bonds from complex molecules to
simple molecules so that they can be absorbed into the tissues of the body
Where does most nutrient absorption occur? - Correct Answers -Small intestine,
although some water and vitamins can be absorbed in the large intestine as well
Once all nutrients are absorbed, where does the bolus travel next? What does it
become? - Correct Answers -Travels to large intestine. Water soluble waste is excreted
as urine through the kidneys, insoluble waste is excreted as feces through the rectum.
What is the anatomical term for the digestive system? What structures does it include? -
Correct Answers -Alimentary canal, includes mouth, esophagus, stomach, small
intestine, large intestine, and rectum
What is the technical term for food as it travels down the alimentary canal? - Correct
Answers -Bolus
Which pathway (sympathetic or parasympathetic) mainly innervates the myenteric
plexus? What type of neurotransmitter is used and what kind of receptors does it utilize?
- Correct Answers -Parasympathetic- rest and digest. Ach is the neurotransmitter, which
binds to muscarinic recpetors in the myenteric plexus.
, What is the submucosa composed of and why is this important? - Correct Answers -
Loose connective tissue. This is important because although it can not provide structure
or protection, it's looseness allows large blood vessels, lymphatic vessels, and nerve
trunks to move through there.
Why is it significant that humans have two openings for the digestive system, as
opposed to worms which only have one? - Correct Answers -Because we have two, one
is used as a portal of entry for nutrients (mouth), while the other is used as a portal of
exit of waste (rectum). Worms only have one, which means that the place that they take
in food is the same place that they excrete waste from.
What are the main accessory organs in the digestive system? - Correct Answers -
Salivary glands (in mouth), liver, pancreas, gallbladder
Differentiate between the parietal peritoneum and the visceral peritoneum. What is
located in between them? - Correct Answers --Parietal: lines walls of abdominal cavity
-Visceral: covers the surface of the organs
-Peritoneal cavity in between them
What is the difference between intraperitoneal organs and retroperitoneal organs? -
Correct Answers --Intraperitoneal: Located inside the peritineum (majority of digestive
organs)
-Retroperitoneal: located outside of the peritneum (kidneys)
What is unique about the parietal peritoneum? - Correct Answers -It contains many
folds in many places, each with a secondary name (ex. in stomach region, greater
omentum, major site where fat is deposited)
What is ascites and what is it caused by? - Correct Answers -When someone has liver
failure, they are not creating the plasma proteins that control osmotic balance. Fluid
accumulates in in the peritoneal cavity.
What are the negative side effects of ascites? - Correct Answers -Fluid accumulation in
the peritoneal cavity causes abdomen distension, compresses the digestive organs, and
forces them upwards towards the diaphragm. This causes shortness of breath and pain.
From deep to superficial, what are the four major layers of the alimentary canal? Which
layer faces the lumen? Which layer faces the peritoneum? - Correct Answers -Deep:
outermost, towards peritoneum
-Serosa
-Muscularis
-Submucosa
-Mucosa
Superficial: innermost, towards lumen and bolus
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
What are the six major functions of the GI system? - Correct Answers --Ingestion of
Nutrients
-Mechanical processing
-Secretion
-Chemical processing
-Absorption
-Excretion
What is unique about ingestion of nutrients compared to the other functions of the GI
system? - Correct Answers -It is the only one under your conscious control. You choose
what to eat and when to eat it- every other function is regulated by the ANS.
Why is mechanical processing of food so important - Correct Answers -Chewing is so
important because it not only prevents choking, but it also increases the surface area of
the food, creating more places for digestive enzymes to break them down
What is the main reason for secretion of digestive enzymes from accessory glands? -
Correct Answers -The enzymes break down chemical bonds from complex molecules to
simple molecules so that they can be absorbed into the tissues of the body
Where does most nutrient absorption occur? - Correct Answers -Small intestine,
although some water and vitamins can be absorbed in the large intestine as well
Once all nutrients are absorbed, where does the bolus travel next? What does it
become? - Correct Answers -Travels to large intestine. Water soluble waste is excreted
as urine through the kidneys, insoluble waste is excreted as feces through the rectum.
What is the anatomical term for the digestive system? What structures does it include? -
Correct Answers -Alimentary canal, includes mouth, esophagus, stomach, small
intestine, large intestine, and rectum
What is the technical term for food as it travels down the alimentary canal? - Correct
Answers -Bolus
Which pathway (sympathetic or parasympathetic) mainly innervates the myenteric
plexus? What type of neurotransmitter is used and what kind of receptors does it utilize?
- Correct Answers -Parasympathetic- rest and digest. Ach is the neurotransmitter, which
binds to muscarinic recpetors in the myenteric plexus.
, What is the submucosa composed of and why is this important? - Correct Answers -
Loose connective tissue. This is important because although it can not provide structure
or protection, it's looseness allows large blood vessels, lymphatic vessels, and nerve
trunks to move through there.
Why is it significant that humans have two openings for the digestive system, as
opposed to worms which only have one? - Correct Answers -Because we have two, one
is used as a portal of entry for nutrients (mouth), while the other is used as a portal of
exit of waste (rectum). Worms only have one, which means that the place that they take
in food is the same place that they excrete waste from.
What are the main accessory organs in the digestive system? - Correct Answers -
Salivary glands (in mouth), liver, pancreas, gallbladder
Differentiate between the parietal peritoneum and the visceral peritoneum. What is
located in between them? - Correct Answers --Parietal: lines walls of abdominal cavity
-Visceral: covers the surface of the organs
-Peritoneal cavity in between them
What is the difference between intraperitoneal organs and retroperitoneal organs? -
Correct Answers --Intraperitoneal: Located inside the peritineum (majority of digestive
organs)
-Retroperitoneal: located outside of the peritneum (kidneys)
What is unique about the parietal peritoneum? - Correct Answers -It contains many
folds in many places, each with a secondary name (ex. in stomach region, greater
omentum, major site where fat is deposited)
What is ascites and what is it caused by? - Correct Answers -When someone has liver
failure, they are not creating the plasma proteins that control osmotic balance. Fluid
accumulates in in the peritoneal cavity.
What are the negative side effects of ascites? - Correct Answers -Fluid accumulation in
the peritoneal cavity causes abdomen distension, compresses the digestive organs, and
forces them upwards towards the diaphragm. This causes shortness of breath and pain.
From deep to superficial, what are the four major layers of the alimentary canal? Which
layer faces the lumen? Which layer faces the peritoneum? - Correct Answers -Deep:
outermost, towards peritoneum
-Serosa
-Muscularis
-Submucosa
-Mucosa
Superficial: innermost, towards lumen and bolus
