PHYSIOL 201 Lecture Notes - Lecture 29: Gastrin, Duodenum, Enteric Nervous System
Document Summary
The intestine is the site of majority of absorption and digestion. Pepsin in the stomach does some partial digestion of proteins. We have a bunch of other proteases that will digest proteins in the intestine. Pepsin is not absolutely critical because we have all these other enzymes that can degrade proteins. Amylase breaks up carbohydrates in your saliva but also have amylase secreted into the intestine so the amylase in the salvia is not absolutely necessary. Breaking down macromolecules and absorbing them occurs in the intestine. Intestinal phase will stimulate the secretion of intestinal hormones. These will be hormones that are released from the wall of the intestine into the blood and then travel through the system. Can have affects in the stomach, the pancreas and multiple other locations. Also stimulates secretion from the pancreas and gall bladder and certain contractions of the intestine wall.
