Nurs A&P 4-DIGESTIVE EXAM STUDY GUIDE 2022
Plicae, villi, microvilli
Plicae: a fold or ridge of tissue. Functions in increasing the amount of
surface area available for the absorption of nutrients in the small intestine.
Villi: located in the small intestine. Fingerlike projections of the mucosa that
function in increasing the surface area for the absorption of nutrients.
Microvilli: located in the small intestine. Projections of the apical
membrane of the absorptive cells form a brush border. Microvilli have a
capillary bed and a lacteal to allow for absorption into the general
circulation.
Bile functions
● Part excretory product, part digestive secretion.
● Bile salts play a role in emulsification and absorption of dietary lipids.
● RELEASED by the liver, STORED by the gallbladder.
● Cholesterol is a significant component of bile production
● Bile can be bound to soluble fiber, increasing its excretion, which
then means that the liver has to use more cholesterol.
GI anatomy: The GI tract is a long tube that is open at both ends for the
transit of food during processing. Portions of the tube include the
esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine and rectum.
Intrinsic factor function Glycoprotein produced by the parietal cells. Plays a
crucial role in the transportation and absorption of vitamin B12.
,Nurs A&P 4-DIGESTIVE EXAM STUDY GUIDE 2022
Liver functions
● Synthesis and secretion of bile
● Carbohydrate metabolism (glycogenesis, glycogenolysis, gluconeogenesis)
● Lipid metabolism (Hepatocytes can store triglycerides, break down
fatty acids to make ATP, makes lipoproteins, and make cholesterol. It
can also use cholesterol to make bile.
● Protein metabolism (Hepatocytes can deaminate amino acids to make
ATP or convert them into carbs or fats which produces ammonia that
is converted to urea and excreted in urine.)
● Processing of drugs and hormones
● Excretion of bilirubin (pigment)
● Storage of Fat Soluble Vitamins A,D,E,K,B12, Glycogen, and heavy metals
● Phagocytosis (Kuppfer cells break down old RBS, WBCS and bacteria)
● Activation of Vitamin D
Saliva functions:
● Contains waters (99%), buffers, amylase, and lipase
● Moistens food and tissues in the oral space
● Facilitates chewing and ingestion,
● Aids digestion of starches with salivary amylase
● Normalizes water balance.
Pancreas endocrine and exocrine
functions/secretions: Endocrine: help in digestion
Secretes digestive enzymes:
● Amylase
● Lipase
● Proteolytic(trypsinogen,chymotrypsinogen,proelastase)
● Nucleases
● Water
● Sodium bicarbonate
(HCO3-) Exocrine: regulates
blood sugar Secretes
hormones:
● Glucagon - breaks down glucose (increases blood sugar)
● Insulin - stores glucose (decreases blood sugar)
● Somatostatin - (stop hormone activity)
Cell types in the pancreas that secrete glucagon and insulin
,Nurs A&P 4-DIGESTIVE EXAM STUDY GUIDE 2022
● Located in the islets of Langerhans
, Nurs A&P 4-DIGESTIVE EXAM STUDY GUIDE 2022
● Alpha cells - secrete glucagon
● Beta cells - produce insulin and are the most abundant.
Salivary gland functions: lie outside the mouth and empty their contents
into ducts which deliver saliva into the oral cavity.
3 TYPES:
1. Parotid
2. Submandibular(submaxillary)
3. Sublingual
Ch. 25 Nutrition and Metabolism
Location and Function of Glycolysis and Electron Transport Chain (ETC)
● Location of Glycolysis: Cytosol of the cell
● Function of Glycolysis: 1 glucose molecule is oxidized and 2
molecules of pyruvic acid, 2 ATP, and 2 energy-containing NADH
and H+ are produced.
● Location of ETC - Mitochondrial Membrane
● Function of ETC - These reactions oxidize NADH and H+ and FADH2
and transfer their electrons through a series of electron carriers.
Water and 30-32 ATP are produced.
Specific functions of different vitamins:
Fat-soluble Vitamins are Vitamins A, D, E, and K.
Vitamin A: Plays a role in vision, healthy cell function, skin health,
reproduction, supports immunity. Precursor is beta carotene.
Vitamin D: Bone making & maintenance. Assists in absorption of dietary
calcium - helps to make calcium & phosphorous available in blood.
Vitamin E: Antioxidant, stabilizes cell membranes and protects cells from free
radical damage
Vitamin K: Promotes blood clotting. Works w/ vitamin D & calcium to regulate
calcium levels.
Water-soluble Vitamins are Vitamin C and the B Vitamins (1, 2, 3, 5, and 12)
Vitamin C: Boosts immune system, keeps gums healthy, helps repair bones,
blood, and tissue
Vitamin B1 (Thiamin): Helps release energy from carbohydrates in food
(glucose metabolism)
Plicae, villi, microvilli
Plicae: a fold or ridge of tissue. Functions in increasing the amount of
surface area available for the absorption of nutrients in the small intestine.
Villi: located in the small intestine. Fingerlike projections of the mucosa that
function in increasing the surface area for the absorption of nutrients.
Microvilli: located in the small intestine. Projections of the apical
membrane of the absorptive cells form a brush border. Microvilli have a
capillary bed and a lacteal to allow for absorption into the general
circulation.
Bile functions
● Part excretory product, part digestive secretion.
● Bile salts play a role in emulsification and absorption of dietary lipids.
● RELEASED by the liver, STORED by the gallbladder.
● Cholesterol is a significant component of bile production
● Bile can be bound to soluble fiber, increasing its excretion, which
then means that the liver has to use more cholesterol.
GI anatomy: The GI tract is a long tube that is open at both ends for the
transit of food during processing. Portions of the tube include the
esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine and rectum.
Intrinsic factor function Glycoprotein produced by the parietal cells. Plays a
crucial role in the transportation and absorption of vitamin B12.
,Nurs A&P 4-DIGESTIVE EXAM STUDY GUIDE 2022
Liver functions
● Synthesis and secretion of bile
● Carbohydrate metabolism (glycogenesis, glycogenolysis, gluconeogenesis)
● Lipid metabolism (Hepatocytes can store triglycerides, break down
fatty acids to make ATP, makes lipoproteins, and make cholesterol. It
can also use cholesterol to make bile.
● Protein metabolism (Hepatocytes can deaminate amino acids to make
ATP or convert them into carbs or fats which produces ammonia that
is converted to urea and excreted in urine.)
● Processing of drugs and hormones
● Excretion of bilirubin (pigment)
● Storage of Fat Soluble Vitamins A,D,E,K,B12, Glycogen, and heavy metals
● Phagocytosis (Kuppfer cells break down old RBS, WBCS and bacteria)
● Activation of Vitamin D
Saliva functions:
● Contains waters (99%), buffers, amylase, and lipase
● Moistens food and tissues in the oral space
● Facilitates chewing and ingestion,
● Aids digestion of starches with salivary amylase
● Normalizes water balance.
Pancreas endocrine and exocrine
functions/secretions: Endocrine: help in digestion
Secretes digestive enzymes:
● Amylase
● Lipase
● Proteolytic(trypsinogen,chymotrypsinogen,proelastase)
● Nucleases
● Water
● Sodium bicarbonate
(HCO3-) Exocrine: regulates
blood sugar Secretes
hormones:
● Glucagon - breaks down glucose (increases blood sugar)
● Insulin - stores glucose (decreases blood sugar)
● Somatostatin - (stop hormone activity)
Cell types in the pancreas that secrete glucagon and insulin
,Nurs A&P 4-DIGESTIVE EXAM STUDY GUIDE 2022
● Located in the islets of Langerhans
, Nurs A&P 4-DIGESTIVE EXAM STUDY GUIDE 2022
● Alpha cells - secrete glucagon
● Beta cells - produce insulin and are the most abundant.
Salivary gland functions: lie outside the mouth and empty their contents
into ducts which deliver saliva into the oral cavity.
3 TYPES:
1. Parotid
2. Submandibular(submaxillary)
3. Sublingual
Ch. 25 Nutrition and Metabolism
Location and Function of Glycolysis and Electron Transport Chain (ETC)
● Location of Glycolysis: Cytosol of the cell
● Function of Glycolysis: 1 glucose molecule is oxidized and 2
molecules of pyruvic acid, 2 ATP, and 2 energy-containing NADH
and H+ are produced.
● Location of ETC - Mitochondrial Membrane
● Function of ETC - These reactions oxidize NADH and H+ and FADH2
and transfer their electrons through a series of electron carriers.
Water and 30-32 ATP are produced.
Specific functions of different vitamins:
Fat-soluble Vitamins are Vitamins A, D, E, and K.
Vitamin A: Plays a role in vision, healthy cell function, skin health,
reproduction, supports immunity. Precursor is beta carotene.
Vitamin D: Bone making & maintenance. Assists in absorption of dietary
calcium - helps to make calcium & phosphorous available in blood.
Vitamin E: Antioxidant, stabilizes cell membranes and protects cells from free
radical damage
Vitamin K: Promotes blood clotting. Works w/ vitamin D & calcium to regulate
calcium levels.
Water-soluble Vitamins are Vitamin C and the B Vitamins (1, 2, 3, 5, and 12)
Vitamin C: Boosts immune system, keeps gums healthy, helps repair bones,
blood, and tissue
Vitamin B1 (Thiamin): Helps release energy from carbohydrates in food
(glucose metabolism)
