Textbook Question
Describe the role of these cells found in gastric glands: parietal, chief, mucous neck, and enteroendocrine.
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Ch. 23 The Digestive System
Marieb, Hoehn11th EditionHuman Anatomy & PhysiologyISBN: 9780136874034
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Table of contents
- Ch. 1 The Human Body: An Orientation24
- Ch. 2 Chemistry Comes Alive25
- Ch. 3 Cells: The Living Units21
- Ch. 4 Tissue: The Living Fabric20
- Ch. 5 The Integumentary System11
- Ch. 6 Bones and Skeletal Tissues19
- Ch. 7 The Skeleton14
- Ch. 8 Joints7
- Ch. 9 Muscles and Muscle Tissue26
- Ch. 10 The Muscular System26
- Ch. 11 Fundamentals of the Nervous System and Nervous Tissue19
- Ch. 12 The Central Nervous System26
- Ch. 13 The Peripheral Nervous System and Reflex Activity32
- Ch. 14 The Autonomic Nervous System19
- Ch. 15 The Special Senses26
- Ch. 16 The Endocrine System23
- Ch. 17 Blood25
- Ch. 18 The Cardiovascular System: The Heart24
- Ch. 19 The Cardiovascular System: Blood Vessels27
- Ch. 20 The Lymphatic System and Lymphoid Organs and Tissues14
- Ch. 21 The Immune System: Innate and Adaptive Body Defenses27
- Ch. 22 The Respiratory System21
- Ch. 23 The Digestive System31
- Ch. 24 Nutrition, Metabolism, and Energy Balance26
- Ch. 25 The Urinary System26
- Ch. 26 Fluid, Electrolyte, and Acid-Base Balance24
- Ch. 27 The Reproductive System24
- Ch. 28 Pregnancy and Human Development25
- Ch. 29 Heredity11
Marieb, Hoehn11th EditionHuman Anatomy & PhysiologyISBN: 9780136874034Not the one you use?Change textbook
Chapter 23, Problem 19
Lara was on a diet but she could not eat less and kept claiming her stomach had a mind of its own. She was joking, but indeed, there is a 'gut brain' called the enteric nervous system. Is it part of the parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous system? Explain.
Verified step by step guidance1
Step 1: Understand the enteric nervous system (ENS) as a complex network of neurons located in the walls of the gastrointestinal tract, often called the 'gut brain' because it can operate independently of the central nervous system.
Step 2: Recognize that the ENS is considered a part of the autonomic nervous system but is distinct in that it can function autonomously to regulate digestive processes such as motility, secretion, and blood flow.
Step 3: Know that the ENS interacts with both the parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous systems, receiving input from them to modulate its activity, but it is not simply a subset of either system.
Step 4: Explain that the parasympathetic nervous system generally stimulates digestive activities (e.g., increasing motility and secretion), while the sympathetic nervous system tends to inhibit these functions, and the ENS integrates these signals to maintain gut function.
Step 5: Conclude that the ENS is a unique, semi-autonomous system that works alongside but is not directly part of the parasympathetic or sympathetic nervous systems, highlighting its role as an independent regulator within the autonomic nervous system.
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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Enteric Nervous System (ENS)
The enteric nervous system is a complex network of neurons located in the walls of the gastrointestinal tract. It controls digestion independently but also communicates with the central nervous system. Often called the 'second brain,' it regulates gut motility, secretion, and blood flow.
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Peripheral Nervous System
Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) Divisions
The autonomic nervous system consists of two main branches: the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems. The sympathetic system prepares the body for 'fight or flight' responses, while the parasympathetic system promotes 'rest and digest' activities, both influencing various organs including the gut.
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3:10Divisions of the ANS
Relationship Between ENS and ANS
Although the enteric nervous system can operate independently, it is functionally connected to both the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems. The ANS modulates ENS activity by either stimulating or inhibiting gut functions, integrating digestive processes with overall bodily states.
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4:14Neurotransmitters of the ANS
Related Practice
Textbook Question
Trace the path of a single protein molecule that has been ingested.
The protein molecule must be digested before it can be transported to and utilized by the cells because
a. Protein is only useful directly
b. Protein has a low pH
c. Proteins in the circulating blood produce an adverse osmotic pressure
d. The protein is too large to be readily absorbed
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Textbook Question
Describe the two phases of swallowing, noting the organs involved and the activities that occur.
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Textbook Question
a. Describe the boundaries of the oral cavity.
b. Why do you suppose its mucosa is stratified squamous epithelium rather than the more typical simple columnar epithelium?
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Textbook Question
Trace the path of a single protein molecule that has been ingested.
Before the blood carrying the products of protein digestion reaches the heart, it first passes through capillary networks in:
a. The spleen
b. The lungs
c. The liver
d. The brain
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Textbook Question
Make a simple line drawing of the organs of the alimentary canal and label each organ. Then add three labels to your drawing—salivary glands, liver, and pancreas—and use arrows to show where each of these organs empties its secretions into the alimentary canal.
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