List the main processes of the GIT.

(4)
Digestion chemical and mechanical breakdown of food into absorbable units
Absorption movement of material from GI lumen to ECF
Motility - movement of material through GIT
Secretion movement of materials from cells into lumen or EFC

What is GALT. (2)
GALT (gut-associated lymphoid tissue) protects the body from infections
List the major sphincters of the gastro-intestinal tract. (4)
Pyloric sphincter
Ileocecal sphincter
Internal anal sphincter
External anal sphincter

Illustrate and label an overview of the digestive system. (12)


Label a cross-sectional diagram of the GIT. Indicate all major layers. Also label the basolateral and
apical sides of the GIT. (8)


Define the following terms or concepts

Interstitial cells of Cajal - The interstitial cell of Cajal is a type of interstitial cell found in the
gastrointestinal tract that serves as a pacemaker which creates the bioelectrical slow wave
potential that leads to contraction of the smooth muscle
Digestion - the process of digesting food.
Zymogen inactive precursor of an enzyme
Secretin - a hormone released into the bloodstream by the duodenum (especially in
response to acidity) to stimulate secretion by the liver and pancreas
Gastrin - a hormone which stimulates secretion of gastric juice and is secreted into the
bloodstream by the stomach wall in response to the presence of food.
Motilin family of hormones - Motilin is a 22-amino acid polypeptide hormone in the motilin
family that, in humans, is encoded by the MLN gene. Motilin is secreted by endocrine M cells
that are numerous in crypts of the small intestine

Explain the integration of long reflexes, short reflexes and hormonal inputs in the regulation of GIT
function. (15)
Short reflexes are mediated entirely by the local enteric or gut plexuses in response to
stimuli arising in the GI tract. Long reflexes are initiated by stimuli arising inside or outside
the GI tract and involve CNS centres and extrinsic autonomic nerves.
The stomach and small intestine also contain hormone producing cells. When stimulated,
these cells release their products to the interstitial fluid in the extracellular space. Blood and
interstitial fluid distribute these hormones to their target cells in the same or different
digestive tract organs, which they induce to secrete or contract.
Describe the anatomical and functional features of the enteric nervous system.(8)
The ENS begins at the oesophagus and ends at the anus and controls gastrointestinal
movements and secretions. The ENS is mainly composed out of two plexuses:
The myenteric plexus (Auerbach) controls the muscle activity along the length of the
gut
The submucosal plexus (Messner) controls the gastrointestinal secretions and local
blood flow

Contrast peristalsis and segmental contractions. (6)
Peristalsis involves alternating waves of contraction and relaxation of muscles in the organ
walls which causes food to be squeezed along the tract.
Segmentation mixes the food with digestive juices and makes absorption more effient ny
repeatedly moving different parts of the food mass over the intestinal wall.

Tabulate the key gastro-intestinal hormones. Include in your table: stimuli for secretion, site of
secretion and functions of the hormones. (20)
Hormone Origin Respond to Action
Gastrin

G cells in
antrum
Distension
Protein
Nerve
1. Increase acid secretion
2. Mucosal growth
Secretin

S cells in
duodenum
Acid
Fat
1. Bicarbonate secretion
2. Inhibits gastric emptying
3. Growth exocrine pancreas
Cholecystokinin I cells in
duodenum
Fat & protein digestion products in
duodenum
1. Contracts gall bladder
2. Pancreatic enzyme and
bicarbonate secretion
3. Inhibits gastric emptying

Gastric
inhibitory
peptide
K cells in
duodenum
Proteins
Fat
Carbs
1. Stimulates insulin release
2. Inhibits gastric secretion
Motilin M cells in
duodenum
Fat
Acid
Nerve
1. Stimulates gastric and intestinal
motility

Describe the countercurrent microcirculation of blood villi in villi. (6)
The arterial flow into the villus and the venous flow out of the villus are in directions opposite to
each other and that the vessels lie in close apposition to each other. Due to this vascular
arrangement, much of the blood oxygen diffuses out of the arterioles directly into the adjacent
venules without ever being carried in the blood to the tips of the villi.
Draw a diagram of the splanchnic circulation and label the important blood vessels (including the
venous drainage system). (10)
List the key features of the gastro-oesophageal sphincter. (5)
Remains normally tonically constricted
Sphincter receptively relaxes when a peristaltic wave moves along the oesophagus to allow
easy propulsion of food into the stomach
Helps prevent significant reflux of stomach contents
Muscle are involuntary

Contrast the pharyngeal stage of swallowing with the oesophageal stage of swallowing.
List the functions of the stomach.
Storage of large quantities of food
Mixing food with gastric excretions to form chime
Slow emptying of chime into small intestine
Describe mixing and propulsive movements of the stomach.

Various factors regulate stomach emptying. Discuss this statement. (15)
Contrast the movement and function of the small and large intestine. You may consider tabulating
your answer. (10)
Describe the neural regulation of defaecation with the aid of an annotated diagram. (15)
Describe long and short reflexes of the cephalic and gastric phases of digestion. (10)
Why is the mucus-bicarbonate buffer important? (3)
Distinguish between phasic and tonic contractions in the GIT. Include the use of appropriate
examples. (4)
Hormones are important to GIT motility. Discuss this statement in detail using examples to
illustrate key points. (10)