Gastrointestinal Physiology

Answers to Self-Study Problems

Chapter 1 1. Each of the three agents acts only on cells having receptors for that agent. Because hormones travel through the general circulation, receptors are responsible for specificity. In the case of paracrines, the cells containing a specific receptor…

Regulation of Food Intake

Objectives Understand the importance of food intake to clinical medicine. Discuss the role of the nervous system in the regulation of food intake. Explain the role of the endocrine system in the regulation of metabolism and food intake. Discuss the…

Fluid and Electrolyte Absorption

Objectives Indicate the sources of fluid and electrolytes in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and their sites of absorption. Describe the mechanisms involved in and the location of the sites for the absorption of sodium, potassium, chloride, bicarbonate, and water. Understand…

Digestion and Absorption of Nutrients

Objectives Indicate the sources, types, and functions of the primary digestive enzymes. Explain the transport processes and the pathways involved in the absorption of nutrients. Describe the processes involved in the digestion and absorption of carbohydrates. Indicate problems that may…

Pancreatic Secretion

Objectives Describe the two components of pancreatic exocrine secretion, their cells of origin, and their functions. Understand the mechanisms involved in the formation of both the electrolyte (aqueous) and enzymatic components of pancreatic secretion. Explain the hormonal and neural regulation…

Gastric Secretion

Objectives Identify the secretory products of the stomach, their cells of origin, and their functions. Understand the mechanisms making it possible for the stomach to secrete 150 mN hydrochloric acid. Describe the electrolyte composition of gastric secretion and how it…

Salivary Secretion

Objectives Discuss the constituents and various functions of saliva. Understand the mechanisms leading to the formation of saliva. Explain the processes resulting in the tonicity of saliva and concentrations of its various ions. Describe the regulation of salivary secretion. Although…

Motility of the Large Intestine

Objectives Describe the anatomy of the large intestine. Explain the function of the ileocecal reflex. Define a mass movement. Understand the motility of defecation and the rectosphincteric reflex. Discuss the control of defecation and explain the loss of control that…