Digestion & Gut Health Flashcards

A client eats lunch hurriedly at their desk while answering stressful emails. Which phase of digestion is most directly compromised?

Answer: Cephalic phase, because sympathetic dominance suppresses digestive secretions

Digestion begins in the brain, and a parasympathetic 'rest and digest' state is needed to start salivary and gastric secretions.

What converts the inactive enzyme pepsinogen into active pepsin in the stomach?

Answer: Hydrochloric acid

The low pH created by HCl cleaves pepsinogen into pepsin, which begins protein digestion.

When acidic chyme enters the duodenum, which hormone signals the pancreas to release bicarbonate?

Answer: Secretin

Secretin is released in response to acidic chyme and triggers pancreatic bicarbonate secretion to neutralize it.

Which hormone, released in response to fat and protein in the small intestine, stimulates gallbladder contraction?

Answer: Cholecystokinin (CCK)

CCK is released from the duodenum in response to fats and proteins and causes the gallbladder to release bile.

Which mineral is a key cofactor for the production of hydrochloric acid in the stomach?

Answer: Zinc

Zinc is required for carbonic anhydrase activity in parietal cells, which supports HCl production.

From the NTA perspective, why might low stomach acid lead to symptoms of heartburn?

Answer: Insufficient acid fails to signal the lower esophageal sphincter to close tightly, and food ferments and creates pressure

Adequate stomach acidity helps keep the LES closed, while low acid lets food sit, ferment, and push acid upward.

Which valve separates the small intestine from the large intestine and helps prevent backflow of colonic bacteria?

Answer: Ileocecal valve

The ileocecal valve sits between the ileum and cecum, and if it malfunctions colonic bacteria can migrate upward.