PNB 2265 Digestive System Questions
and Answers.
What are the six major functions of the GI system? - Answer -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? -
Answer 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 - Answer 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? - Answer
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? - Answer 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? -
Answer 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? -
Answer 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? - Answer Bolus
Why is it significant that humans have two openings for the digestive system, as opposed to
worms which only have one? - Answer 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? - Answer Salivary glands (in
mouth), liver, pancreas, gallbladder
Differentiate between the parietal peritoneum and the visceral peritoneum. What is located in
between them? - Answer -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? - Answer
-Intraperitoneal: Located inside the peritineum (majority of digestive organs)
-Retroperitoneal: located outside of the peritneum (kidneys)
What is unique about the parietal peritoneum? - Answer 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? - Answer 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? - Answer 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? - Answer Deep: outermost, towards
peritoneum
-Serosa
-Muscularis
-Submucosa
-Mucosa
Superficial: innermost, towards lumen and bolus
What is the serosa made of and what are its two primary functions? What is another name for
the serosa? - Answer Connective tissue, structure and support. Also known as the adventitia
and Answers.
What are the six major functions of the GI system? - Answer -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? -
Answer 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 - Answer 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? - Answer
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? - Answer 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? -
Answer 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? -
Answer 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? - Answer Bolus
Why is it significant that humans have two openings for the digestive system, as opposed to
worms which only have one? - Answer 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? - Answer Salivary glands (in
mouth), liver, pancreas, gallbladder
Differentiate between the parietal peritoneum and the visceral peritoneum. What is located in
between them? - Answer -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? - Answer
-Intraperitoneal: Located inside the peritineum (majority of digestive organs)
-Retroperitoneal: located outside of the peritneum (kidneys)
What is unique about the parietal peritoneum? - Answer 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? - Answer 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? - Answer 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? - Answer Deep: outermost, towards
peritoneum
-Serosa
-Muscularis
-Submucosa
-Mucosa
Superficial: innermost, towards lumen and bolus
What is the serosa made of and what are its two primary functions? What is another name for
the serosa? - Answer Connective tissue, structure and support. Also known as the adventitia
