Question

Please Answer all 4 Questions:

1) Compare the functions of the small intestine and large intestine and suggest a reason the small intestine is so much longer than the large intestine?

2) Review the location of the parotid gland and explain why a person who has mumps will probably experience pain while eating?

3) If the gallbladder is surgically removed, what functions(s) will no longer be possible? How will this surgery affect the transport bile ?

4) Why do you think it is important that the epithelial cells lining the gastric pits secrete mucus onto the surface of the stomach wall?

Answer 1

1. FUNCTIONS OF SMALL INTESTINE:-

• Digestion- Most of the chemical digestion takes place in the small intestine.
• Absorption- The small intestine is the site where most of the nutrients from ingested food are absorbed.
• Immunological- The small intestine supports the body's immune system. It harbours various gut flora which contributes positively to the host's immune system.

FUNCTIONS OF LARGE INTESTINE:-

• Absorbs water, bile salts and electrolytes.
• Secretes mucus that helps in lubrication, binding, protection and maintaining pH.
• Helps in the conversion of bilirubin.
• .Forms and stores faeces.
• Synthesis of certain vitamins by intestinal bacteria.
• Elimination of waste from the body.

The small intestine is longer than the large intestine because it needs a maximum amount of surface area to increase digestion and nutrient absorption.

2. LOCATION OF PAROTID GLAND- The parotid gland is located beneath and in front of each ear.

Mumps is a contagious viral infection that causes painful swelling of the salivary glands. The salivary glands are very sore during mumps. Therefore, it causes discomfort and pain while eating food. The mumps virus causes pain and swelling in front of the earlobe, called parotitis. Because of the pain of parotitis, chewing and swallowing may be very uncomfortable, and the patient may not feel like eating.

3. When the gallbladder is removed, bile made by the liver can no longer be stored between meals. Instead, the bile flows directly into the intestine anytime the liver produces it. Thus, there still is bile in the intestine to mix with food and fat.

Diarrhoea may occur because of the change in the way bile is delivered to the intestine if the gallbladder has been removed.

4. Gastric pits open into a channel leading into a cluster of oxyntic glands. The surface mucus cells secrete mucus to line the stomach and protect it from its acid environment. The mucus contains mucin and HCO3− to neutralize stomach acid.