Monosaccharides, Amino acids, Fatty acids, Glycerol, Salivary amylase, Pepsin, Trypsin, Chymotrypsin, Carboxypeptidase, Enteropeptidase, Pancreatic lipase, Bile salts, Chylomicrons, Myenteric plexus, Submucosal plexus, Gastrin, Cholecystokinin (CCK), Secr

Monosaccharides, Amino acids, Fatty acids, Glycerol, Salivary amylase, Pepsin, Trypsin, Chymotrypsin, Carboxypeptidase, Enteropeptidase, Pancreatic lipase, Bile salts, Chylomicrons, Myenteric plexus, Submucosal plexus, Gastrin, Cholecystokinin (CCK), Secretin, GIP, Somatostatin Exam Questions Verified and Provided with A+ Graded Rationales Latest Updated 2026 What are the absorbable monomers of the GI system? fatty acids and glycerol (from fat) amino acids (from proteins) monosaccharides (from carbs) Fat breaks down into fatty acids and glycerol proteins break down into amino acids carbohydrates break down into monosaccharides functions of the GI tract ingestion (what you take in) propulsion (point A → B) mechanical digestion (physical breakdown) chemical digestion (to absorbable monomers) absorption (GI tract → circulatory lymphatics) defecation (get rid of what's not used) digestion pathway mouth (saliva) → pharynx → esophagus → stomach → (pancreas/liver/gallbladder) → duodenum → jejunum → ileum → cecum → colon → rectum → anal sphincter What are the GI muscle layers INNER oblique (stomach ONLY) circular longitudinal OUTER Order of GI tissue LUMEN lamina propria musculais mucosa submucosa **submucosal/"Meissner's" plexus** circular muscle **myenteric/"auerbach's" plexus** longitudinal muscle OUTER GI extrinsic NS sympathetic (NE = INHIBITORY)) parasympathetic (ACh = STIMULATORY) In the GI system: parasympathetic = ________________ sympathetic = ________________ parasympathetic = STIMULATORY (NE) sympathetic = INHIBITORY (ACh) Intrinsic (enteric) nervous system can function entirely independent of the extrinsic NS (SNS/PNS) 1. Myenteric (auerbach's plexus) - rhythmic contractions via longitudinal and circular muscles - found in between the two muscles 2. Submucosal (Meissner's plexus) - secretory and sensory function - found between submucosa layer and circular muscle What is the function of the myenteric plexus in the ENS? rhythmic contraction (gut motility) - utilizes the longitudinal and circular muscles "Auerbach's Plexus" What is the function of the submucosal plexus in the ENS? secretory and sensory function (digestive role) "Meissner's Plexus" sympathetic: __________ preganglionic __________ postganglionic SHORT preganglionic LONG postganglionic parasympathetic: __________ preganglionic __________ postganglionic LONG preganglionic SHORT postganglionic What is the sympathetic preganglionic neuron? ACH onto nicotinic What is the sympathetic postganglionic neuron? NE onto target What is the parasympathetic preganglionic neuron? ACH onto nicotinic