Defecation reflex — Flashcards

Flashcard 1: Intestinal peristalsis occurs in response to binding of _____ to intrinsic primary afferent neurons (IPANs)

Answer: 5-HT (serotonin)

Flashcard 2: Primary achalasia is due to an autoimmune destruction of ganglion cells in the _____ plexus

Answer: myenteric (Auerbach)

Flashcard 3: The _____ nervous system is usually inhibitory on functions of the GI tract

Answer: sympathetic

Flashcard 4: The _____ nervous system can direct all functions of the GI tract, even in the absence of extrinsic innervation (e.g. PNS/SNS)

Answer: enteric

Flashcard 5: The _____ plexus of the gut wall primary controls secretion and blood flow

Answer: submucosal (Meissner's)

Flashcard 6: _____ contractions serve to mix intestinal contents; "back-and-forth movement"

Answer: Segmentation

Flashcard 7: satiety

Answer: ventromedial area of the hypothalamus

Flashcard 8: What is the function of the area postrema?

Answer: Chemoreceptor trigger zone (CTZ) / Vomiting center

Extra: The area postrema is a circumventricular organ located in the medulla (floor of the 4th ventricle) that lacks a blood-brain barrier, allowing it to detect emetic toxins in the blood.

Flashcard 9: Give two cell types rich in rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER).

Answer: intestinal goblet cells, plasma cells

Flashcard 10: Is the plasma membrane symmetric or asymmetric?

Answer: asymmetric interior vs exterior asymmetric regionally on same side