Digestive System Learning Objectives

BI-274, Dr. C. S. Tritt

Be able to name the organs that make up the digestive system.

Be able to describe the major function or functions of each organ in the digestive system.

Be able to describe the microstructure of a typical cross-section of the digestive tract.

Be able to describe how intestinal smooth muscle responds to being stretched.

Be able to describe the differences in the nature of gastrointestinal motility as a function of position and time. (Is it continuous or intermittent? Is it peristaltic or segmented?)

Be able to name two factors that control the rate of emptying of the stomach and describe the underlaying mechanism(s) of the control (including the names of any hormones involved).

Be able to explain the processes by which gastric parietal cells secrete hydrochloric acid into the stomach.

Be able to explain how gastric epithelial cells maintain a pH of about 7 at their surface.

Know the function of intrinsic factor.

Be able to name and describe the three phases of gastrointestinal secretion.

Be able to name three factors that stimulate gastric acid secretion.

Be able to name three factors that inhibit gastric acid secretion.

Be able to describe the general contents of pancreatic juice.

Be able to explain the role of pancreatic juice in the digestive process.

Be able to draw a diagram of the hepatic/intestinal circulation and explain the significance of its unusual features.

Be able to list two functions of the liver.

Be able to explain the role of bile in the digestive process.

Know the general substrates for amylases, proteases, lipases and nucleases.

Be about to explain the function of the glucose-Na+ co-porter.

Be able explain how pancreatic exocrine cells can secrete proteolytic enzymes without being damaged by them.

Be able to list the forms in which the products of protein digestion are absorbed into the epithelial cells of the small intestine.

Know the form in which the products of protein digestion are transported out of the epithelial cells of the small intestine.

Know the forms in which lipids are absorbed.

Be able to describe the structure and function of chylomicrons.

Be able to describe the source and functions of chylomicrons, VLDL’s, LDL’s and HDL’s.