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    REVIEWER FOR REMOVAL EXAMS

    1. Correlate the composition of the cell membrane with the mode of transport of polar and non-polar substances into the cell.

    Diffusion through the cell membrane is divided into two subtypes called simple and facilitated

    diffusion. Simple diffusion means that kinetic movement of molecules or ions occurs through the cell

    membrane by two pathways: (1) through the interstices of the lipid bilayer if the diffusing substance is

    lipid soluble, and (2) through watery channels that penetrate all the way through some of the large

    transport proteins. Facilitated diffusion is also called carrier-mediated diffusion because a substance

    transported in this manner diffuses through the membrane using a specific carrier protein to help. That

    is, the carrier facilitates diffusion of the substance to the other side.

    Enough water ordinarily diffuses in each direction through the red cell membrane per second to

    equal about 100 times the volume of the cell itself. Yet, normally, the amount that diffuses in the two

    directions is balanced so precisely that zero net movement of water occurs. Therefore, the volume of

    the cell remains constant. However, under certain conditions, a concentration difference for water can

    develop across a membrane, just as concentration differences for other substances can occur. When this

    happens, net movement of water does occur across the cell membrane, causing the cell either to swell

    or to shrink, depending on the direction of the water movement. This process of net movement of watercaused by a concentration difference of water is called osmosis.

    Active transport is divided into two types according to the source of the energy used to cause

    the transport: primary active transport and secondary active transport. In primary active transport, the

    energy is derived directly from breakdown of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) or of some other high-

    energy phosphate compound. In secondary active transport, the energy is derived secondarily from

    energy that has been stored in the form of ionic concentration differences of secondary molecular or

    ionic substances between the two sides of a cell membrane, created originally by primary active

    transport. In both instances, transport depends on carrier proteins that penetrate through the cell

    membrane, as is true for facilitated diffusion. However, in active transport, the carrier protein functions

    differently from the carrier in facilitated diffusion because it is capable of imparting energy to the

    transported substance to move it against the electrochemical gradient. Following are some examples ofprimary active transport and secondary active transport, with more detailed explanations of their

    principles of function. Different substances that are actively transported through at least some cell

    membranes include sodium ions, potassium ions, calcium ions, iron ions, hydrogen ions, chloride ions,

    iodide ions, urate ions, several different sugars, and most of the amino acids.

    2. Describe the events and pathways from initial antigen contact to eventual antibodyproduction and T-cell activation.

    Within minutes after inflammation begins, the macrophages already present in the tissues,

    whether histiocytes in the subcutaneous tissues, alveolar macrophages in the lungs, microglia in the

    brain, or others, immediately begin their phagocytic actions. When activated by the products of

    infection and inflammation, the first effect is rapid enlargement of each of these cells. Next, many of the

    previously sessile macrophages break loose from their attachments and become mobile, forming the

    first line of defense against infection during the first hour or so.

    Within the first hour or so after inflammation begins, large numbers of neutrophils begin to invade

    the inflamed area from the blood. This is caused by products from the inflamed tissues that initiate the

    following reactions: (1) They alter the inside surface of the capillary endothelium, causing neutrophils to

    stick to the capillary walls in the inflamed area. This effect is called margination. (2) They cause the

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    intercellular attachments between the endothelial cells of the capillaries and small venules to loosen,

    allowing openings large enough for neutrophils to pass by diapedesis directly from the blood into the

    tissue spaces. (3) Other products of inflammation then cause chemotaxis of the neutrophils toward the

    injured tissues, as explained earlier. Thus, within several hours after tissue damage begins, the area

    becomes well supplied with neutrophils. Because the blood neutrophils are already mature cells, they

    are ready to immediately begin their scavenger functions for killing bacteria and removing foreign

    matter. Also within a few hours after the onset of acute, severe inflammation, the number of

    neutrophils in the blood sometimes increases fourfold to fivefold from a normal of 4000 to 5000 to

    15,000 to 25,000 neutrophils per microliter. This is called neutrophilia, which means an increase in the

    number of neutrophils in the blood.

    Along with the invasion of neutrophils, monocytes from the blood enter the inflamed tissue and

    enlarge to become macrophages. However, the number of monocytes in the circulating blood is low:

    also, the storage pool of monocytes in the bone marrow is much less than that of neutrophils.

    Therefore, the buildup of macrophages in the inflamed tissue area is much slower than that of

    neutrophils, requiring several days to become effective. Furthermore, even after invading the inflamed

    tissue, monocytes are still immature cells, requiring 8 hours or more to swell to much larger sizes and

    develop tremendous quantities of lysosomes; only then do they acquire the full capacity of tissuemacrophages for phagocytosis. Yet, after several days to several weeks, the macrophages finally come

    to dominate the phagocytic cells of the inflamed area because of greatly increased bone marrow

    production of new monocytes, as explained later. As already pointed out, macrophages can phagocytize

    far more bacteria (about five times as many) and far larger particles, including even neutrophils

    themselves and large quantities of necrotic tissue, than can neutrophils.

    The fourth line of defense is greatly increased production of both granulocytes and monocytes by

    the bone marrow. This results from stimulation of the granulocytic and monocytic progenitor cells of the

    marrow. However, it takes 3 to 4 days before newly formed granulocytes and monocytes reach the

    stage of leaving the bone marrow. If the stimulus from the inflamed tissue continues, the bone marrow

    can continue to produce these cells in tremendous quantities for months and even years, sometimes ata rate 20 to 50 times normal.

    Although more than two dozen factors have been implicated in control of the macrophage response

    to inflammation, five of these are believed to play dominant roles. They consist of (1) tumor necrosis

    factor (TNF), (2) interleukin-1 (IL-1), (3) granulocyte-monocyte colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), (4)

    granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), and (5) monocyte colony-stimulating factor (M-

    CSF).These factors are formed by activated macrophage cells in the inflamed tissues and in smaller

    quantities by other inflamed tissue cells. The cause of the increased production of granulocytes and

    monocytes by the bone marrow is mainly the three colony-stimulating factors, one of which, GM-CSF,

    stimulates both granulocyte and monocyte production; the other two, G-CSF and M-CSF, stimulate

    granulocyte and monocyte production, respectively. This combination of TNF, IL-1, and colony-

    stimulating factors provides a powerful feedback mechanism that begins with tissue inflammation and

    proceeds to formation of large numbers of defensive white blood cells that help remove the cause of

    the inflammation.

    When neutrophils and macrophages engulf large numbers of bacteria and necrotic tissue, essentially

    all the neutrophils and many, if not most, of the macrophages eventually die. After several days, a cavity

    is often excavated in the inflamed tissues that contains varying portions of necrotic tissue, dead

    neutrophils, dead macrophages, and tissue fluid. This mixture is commonly known as pus. After the

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    infection has been suppressed, the dead cells and necrotic tissue in the pus gradually autolyze over a

    period of days, and the end products are eventually absorbed into the surrounding tissues and lymph

    until most of the evidence of tissue damage is gone.

    3. Describe the volume and pressure changes in the different thoracic compartments duringinspiration and expiration.

    Pleural pressure is the pressure of the fluid in the thin space between the lung pleura and the chest

    wall pleura. The normal pleural pressure at the beginning of inspiration is about 5 centimeters of

    water, which is the amount of suction required to hold the lungs open to their resting level. Then, during

    normal inspiration, expansion of the chest cage pulls outward on the lungs with greater force and

    creates more negative pressure, to an average of about 7.5 centimeters of water. Alveolar pressure is

    the pressure of the air inside the lung alveoli. during normal inspiration, alveolar pressure decreases to

    about1 centimeter of water. This slight negative pressure is enough to pull 0.5 liter of air into the lungs

    in the 2 seconds required for normal quiet inspiration. During expiration, opposite pressures occur: The

    alveolar pressure rises to about +1 centimeter of water, and this forces the 0.5 liter of inspired air out of

    the lungs during the 2 to 3 seconds of expiration. The transpulmonary pressure is the pressure

    difference between that in the alveoli and that on the outer surfaces of the lungs, and it is a measure ofthe elastic forces in the lungs that tend to collapse the lungs at each instant of respiration, called the

    recoil pressure.

    The extent to which the lungs will expand for each unit increase in transpulmonary pressure (if

    enough time is allowed to reach equilibrium) is called the lung compliance. The total compliance of both

    lungs together in the normal adult human being averages about 200 milliliters of air per centimeter of

    water transpulmonary pressure. That is, every time the transpulmonary pressure increases 1 centimeter

    of water, the lung volume, after 10 to 20 seconds, will expand 200 milliliters.

    4. Define the different lung volumes. Give the approximate values in adults for Tidal Volume,Residual Volume, Vital Capacity and anatomic dead space.

    The air in the lungs has been subdivided into four volumes and four capacities, which are average

    for a young adult man. The four listed pulmonary lung volumes, when added together equal the

    maximum volume to which the lungs can be expanded. The Tidal volume is the volume of air inspired or

    expired with each normal breath; it amounts to 500 milliliters in the adult male. The Inspiratory reserve

    volume is the extra volume of air that can be inspired over and above the normal tidal volume when the

    person inspires with full force. The Expiratory reserve volume is the maximum extra volume of air that

    can be expired by forceful expiration after the end of a normal tidal expiration after the end of a normal

    tidal expiration. The residual volume is the volume of air remaining in the lungs after the most forceful

    expiration; this volume averages about 1200 milliliters.

    When two or more volumes are considered, such combinations are called pulmonary capacities.

    These can be described as Inspiratory capacity which equals the tidal volume plus the inspiratory reserve

    volume; Functional residual capacity which equals the expiratory reserve volume plus residual volume;

    Vital capacity, which equals the inspiratory reserve volume plus the tidal volume plus the expiratory

    reserve volume, is about 4600 molliliters; and Total lung capacity, which is the maximum volume which

    lungs can be expanded with the greatest effort, is equal to the vital capacity plus the residual volume.

    The anatomic dead space is the volume of all the space of the respiratory system other than the

    alveoli and their other closely related gas exchange areas. This space equals 1 to 2 liters.

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    5. Define compliance in the lungs and correlate it with surfactant.Compliance refers to the extent to which the lungs will expand for each unit increase in

    transpulmonary pressure. If there is an increase in volume there would also be an increase in pressure.

    Transpulmonary pressure refers to the difference in pressure between the alveoli and the outer surface

    of the lings and is measured by the elastic forces in the lungs. There are two elastic forces in lungs: (1)

    elastic forces of the lung tissue and (2) the elastic forces caused by the surface tension of the fluid that

    lines the inside walls of the alveoli and other lungs spaces. When the lungs are fillled with air, there is an

    interface between the alveolar fluid and the air in the alveoli. Surface tension is formed when the water

    forms a surface in with air, the water molecules will exert strong attraction for one another causing

    these molecules to contract for them to hold together. In the case of the surface tension in the alveoli,

    the walls of the alveoli are coated with thin film of water. These water molecules are more attracted

    with each other than to air creating a surface tension. This tension increases as the water molecules

    come closer together which what happens when we exhale wherein our alveoli become smaller (like a

    deflating balloon). The water molecules will contract forcing the air out thus causing the alveoli to

    collapse. If this occurs the lungs would have difficulty to re-expand when you inhale. The role of

    surfactants in the lungs is to reduce the fluid-air surface tension to allow the lungs to expand fully when

    we inhale. Surfactants are produced by the type II alveolar epithelial cells, this is a surface active agentwhich functions to reduce the surface tension of water. It is composed of several phospholipids with

    hydrophobic tails. The hydrophobic tails comes closer together during expiration causing a decrease in

    surface tension (stage 3-5 in the picture). They move further apart when the alveoli expand. When you

    exhale, they prevent the water molecules (phospholipids= not soluble to water) to come closer thus

    decreasing the surface tension.

    Remenber in the law of laplace (see formula below) states that the pressure within a sphecial

    structure with surface tesion is inversely proportional to the radius of the sphere. Hence, small radius

    (smaller alveoli) will generate bigger pressures with them than that of larger alveoli. Smaller alveoli

    would therefore be expected to empty into larger alveoli as lung volume decreases. This does not occur,

    however, because surfactant differentially reduces surface tension, more at lower volumes and less at

    higher volumes, leading to alveolar stability and reducing the likelihood of alveolar collapse. Smaller

    alveoli would therefore be expected to empty into larger alveoli as lung volume decreases. This does notoccur, however, because surfactant differentiallyreduces surface tension, more at lower volumes and

    less at higher volumes, leading to alveolar stability and reducing the likelihood of alveolar collapse.

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    6. Describe how oxygen and carbon dioxide are transported in the lungs and in tissues.

    Oxygen is not very soluble in plasma. Most oxygen (about 97% of it) is transported via hemoglobin,

    which has special oxygen-binding capabilities. You would want it to bind to significant quantities of

    oxygen at the alveolar level, even when oxygen concentration in the alveoli is relatively low. You would,

    on the other hand, also like hemoglobin to release oxygen easily at the tissue level, but in just the right

    amounts, since too much can cause oxygen toxicity, and too little will not provide enough for the

    respiratory needs of the tissue. You would like hemoglobin to release large quantities of oxygen when

    the tissues really need it. Considering the oxygen dissociation curve, however, note that if alveolar pO2

    levels fall really low, particularly below 40 (example at an altitude of 20,000ft or in condition where

    adequate amounts of oxygen do not reach the alveoli) hemoglobin will falter in trapping o2 and the

    patient will go downhill.

    Hemoglobin does not transport most of the carbon dioxide. Rather, CO2 combines with water in the RBC

    to form H2CO3 (the enzyme carbonic anhydrase in the RBC catalyzes this reaction). The H from the

    H2CO3 combines with the hemoglobin; HCO3 leaves the call and floats around in the blood until the

    blood reaches the lungs. Then the hemoglobin releases the H, which combines with bicarbonate ion to

    reform CO2, which is then expelled by the lungs. Some CO2 does, however, combine directly with

    hemoglobin (about 25%) to form carbaminohemoglobin, which releases its CO2 in the lungs.

    Additionally, a small amount of CO2 (about 5%) dissolves directly in the plasma.

    7. Explain how breathing is regulated by pO2 and pCO2

    Moderate increase of pCo2 stimulates respiration much more than does a moderate decrease in pO2.Moderate increases in pCO2 results in increased respiratory rate, without requiring much assistance

    from the stimulus of decreased O2. However, in severe pulmonary disease, in which there is poor

    exchange in both o2 and CO2, the CO2 effect is not enough. The large drop in PO2 then comes into play

    having a marked effect in increasing the rate of respiration when the PO2 falls to the 30-60mmHg range.

    8. Compare the changes in membrane potential associated with an associated in a nodal pacemaker

    cell with those in a myocardial cell. What (mechanism/s) is/are responsible for such changes in

    membrane potential?

    Cardiac Action PotentialThe resting membrane potential is determined by the conductance to potassium and approaches the

    potassium equilibrium potential. Inward current brings positive charge into the cell and depolarizes the

    membrane potential. Outward current takes positive charge out of the cell and hyperpolarizes the

    membrane potential. The role of the sodium-potassium ATPase is to maintain ion gradients across the

    cell membrane

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    Mechanism of Ca extrusion

    Na-Ca ExchangerNa in then Ca out; 3Na:1Ca, higher concentration

    Na-K-ATPase pump lower concentration, Na concentration gradient outside the cell goes inside

    Ca pump strength of the muscular contraction is determined by the amount of Ca which interacts with

    the myofilament, Ca remains in the cell

    Increase Ca=Increase contraction = Increase cardiac performance

    9. Discuss how a ventricular action potential develops. What changes occur in terms of: 1) membrane

    permeability, 2) ionic fluxes and 3) membrane potential? How do these changes come about? How is

    the development of a pacemaker potential any different from the development of a ventricular action

    potential?

    SLOW-RESPONSE ACTION POTENTIAL

    -SA node (normally the pacemaker of the heart)

    -does not have a constant resting potential

    -exhibits phase 4 depolarization of automatically due to:

    --gradual decrease in the permeability of membrane to potassium, therefore sodium is prevented from

    leaking out

    --increase in the permeability to sodium, therefore sodium moves into the cell; Na-K permeability ratio

    increases; membrane potential approaches a more positive value

    --increase permeability to calcium; net movement it towards the cell

    PHASES:

    Phase 0-upstroke of action potential = increase Ca

    Phase 3-repolarization = increase in KPhase 4-slow depolarization = increase Na

    Phases 1&2 are not present

    FAST-RESPONSE ACTION POTENTIAL

    -atrial muscle, purkinje fibers, ventricular muscle

    -have a stab;e resting membrane potential of about 90mV which approaches the potassium equilibrium

    potential

    -action potential are of long duration (200-300 milliseconds)

    PHASES:

    Phase 0-rapid upstroke = influx NaPhase 1-initial repolarization = efflux K

    Phase 2-plateau = slow Ca channels are opened so influx Ca

    Phase 3-repolarization = Ca channels close but permeable to sodium so influx of Na

    Phase 4-resting membrane potential = inward and outward currents are equal

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    *questions 8 & 9 is a bit confusing. If you find it wrong, please catch my attention and feel free to correct it. -bebe

    10. CARDIAC CYCLE

    - Initiated by the action potential in the sinus node, traveling rapidly through both atria and then

    through the AV bundle into the ventricles.

    - Total duration of the cardiac cycle is reciprocal of heart rate

    ex: HR= 72 beats/min; Cardiac cycle=1/72 beats/min

    therefore, an increase in heart rate, is a decrease in Cardiac cycle

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    PERIOD I: FILLING OF VENTRICLES DURING DIASTOLE

    Ventricular Systole

    AV valves are closed that will give large amounts of blood accumulating in both atria

    P wave (depolarization in atria)

    Slight rise in ATRIAL PRESSURE will push AV valves open

    VENTRICULAR PRESSURE will fall

    Rapid blood flow to ventricles will increase VENTRICULAR VOLUME

    PERIOD II: PERIOD OF ISOVOLUMIC (ISOMETRIC) CONTRACTION

    Increase in tension but no shortening of muscle fiber Period of contraction but no emptying

    QRS wave (depolarization in ventricles) and

    1st Heart Sound (low pitch, long lasting)

    Ventricles contract

    Increase VENTRICULAR PRESSURE

    AV valves close

    Semilunar valves open

    PERIOD III: EJECTION

    Blood pours out of ventricles

    1st

    (Rapid ejection) 2nd

    (Slow ejection)

    Decrease in VOLUME

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    PERIOD IV: PERIOD OF ISOVOLUMIC (ISOMETRIC) RELAXATION

    T wave (Repolarization of Ventricles) and

    Ventricular Diastole

    Decrease in VENTRICULAR PRESSUREVOLUME is same

    2nd Heart Sound

    Pulmonary valves close

    AV valves open

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    11. FACTORS AFFECTING MYOCARDIAL OXYGEN CONSUMPTION (MVO2).

    A. Increase MVO2: Increase in Heart Rate, Inotropy, Afterload, Preload.

    HR = because myocytes are generating twice the number of tension cycles per minute.

    INOTROPY = because both the rate of tension development and the magnitude of tension are increased,

    and they both are associated with increased ATP hydrolysis and oxygen consumption.

    AFTERLOAD = because it increases the tension that must be developed by myocytes.

    PRELOAD = Increasing stroke volume by increasing preload (end-diastolic volume)

    B. IN A NORMAL HEART, HOW WOULD CHANGES IN THESE FACTORS AFFECT CORONARY BLOOD

    FLOW?

    Coronary blood flow is phasic as determined by systole and diastole. Left coronary flow decreases during

    systole and reaches a peak early in diastole. Under resting conditions, coronary venous blood containslittle oxygen, and increased myocardial oxygen consumption must be met by increased coronary blood

    flow.

    12. WHY IS TETANUS OF CARDIAC MUSCLE IMPOSSIBLE? WHY IS THIS ADVANTAGEOUS?

    A long refractory period prevents tetanus in cardiac muscle. The long refractory period means that

    cardiac muscle cannot be restimulated until contraction is almost over & this makes summation (&

    tetanus) of cardiac muscle impossible. This is a valuable protective mechanism because pumping

    requires alternate periods of contraction & relaxation; prolonged tetanus would prove fatal.

    13. What are the factors that affect cardiac output?

    Before we talk about that, let's define what cardiac output is. Cardiac output is the volume of

    blood ejected by the left and right ventricle.

    STROKE VOLUME x HEART RATE = CARDIAC OUTPUT / (SV x HR = CO)

    STROKE VOLUME - measuring the volume of blood present within the left ventricle just prior to

    contraction and measuring the volume of blood present after the full contraction is complete

    The factors that affect the cardiac output are the following:

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    1. Contractility - the more the heart contracts, the more blood gets pumped per beat, increasing stroke

    volume and cardiac output; higher contractility will result to an increase in cardiac output

    2. Preload- filling of the heart chambers with a certain amount of blood right BEFORE it contracts; "end

    diastolic volume"; An increase in the filling of heart chambers with blood would increase the stretching

    of the cardiac muscle fibers as well as the stroke volume

    3. Afterload - pressure the heart must overcome to eject the blood into the rest of the body; "mean

    arterial pressure". A change in pressure could affect the cardiac performance so when the aortic

    pressure increases, the stroke volume decreases.

    14. Discuss the short-term regulation of blood pressure.

    BLOOD PRESSURE = CARDIAC OUTPUT x PERIPHERAL RESISTANCE

    Short term control of Blood pressure is mediated by the nervous system, chemicals and hormones that

    control blood pressure by changing peripheral resistance. ( = in sec / minutes)

    a. Nervous system: Control blood pressure by changing blood distribution in the body and by changing blood

    vessel diameter. ANS sympathetic veins, arteries, heart control HR and force of contraction

    Parasympathetic

    The vasomotor center is a cluster of sympathetic neurons found in the medulla. It sendsefferent motor fibers that innervate smooth muscle of blood vessels. Any increase in

    sympathetic activity causes vasoconstriction and any decreased sympathetic activity leads to

    vasodilation.

    Baroreceptors are stretch receptors found in the carotid body, aortic body and the wall of alllarge arteries of the neck and thorax.

    When BP activation of baroreceptorssend impulses (APs) to the vasomotorcenter inhibition of vasomotor center

    parasympathetic

    activity HR

    sympathetic activity

    force of contraction and HR

    vasodilation of arteries and veins

    peripheral resistance and vessel diameter

    CO and PR Blood Pressure

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    When BP inhibition of baroreceptorssend impulses (APs) to the vasomotorcenter activation of vasomotor center

    There is dual regulation by both sympathetic and parasympathetic to control a rise in BP. The baroreflex is the fastest regulation method for blood pressure.b. Chemoreceptors: these respond to changes in pCO2 and pO2 and PH levels.

    When pO2 and PH and pCO2 Stimulation of vasomotor center CO andHR and vasoconstrictionBP (speeding return of blood to the heart and lungs)

    c. Hormones: bloodborne chemicals

    Adrenal Medulla Hormones (epinephrine & norepinephrine) When the body is stressed, adrenal medulla releases NE and E into the blood

    enhance sympathetic activity.

    NE vasoconstriction E CO and HR (it also promotes generalized vasoconstriction except in skeletal

    and cardiac muscle where it causes vasodilation)

    Atrial Natriuretic Peptide (ANP) Produced by heart atrium Natri release of Na+ Uretic excretion of urine It promotes the excretion of Na+ from the body water also is excreted Blood

    Volume Blood Pressure.

    Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH) Decrease the excretion of water Leads to blood volume BP.

    Endothelial factors Local system in the blood vessel endothelium

    sympathetic activity

    force of contraction and HR

    vasoconstriction of arteries and veins

    peripheral resistance and vessel diameter

    parasympathetic

    activity HR

    CO and PR Blood Pressure

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    Release of endothelin vasoconstriction NO Nitric Oxide vasodilation NO works for a small time only because it is quickly destroyed. Represents fine minute regulation at the tissue level

    15. Discuss the factors that affect fluid flow in rigid tubes.

    The factors that affect fluid flow are distensibility of the blood vessels, pressure and constant flow.

    Flow

    Flow is more likely to be turbulent if:

    Velocity is highViscosity of blood is lowBlood vessel diameter is highThe conditions for turbulence are summarised in the Reynolds Number

    Note that turbulent flow is noisy and will give rise to sounds or murmurs

    In turbulent flow, the resistance to flow is increased

    Turbulent flow results in damage to endothelium

    Distensibility and Pressure

    Blood Vessels are not rigid

    They are distensible especially so with veinsThey have blood inside them under pressureThey may have external pressures acting on themTransmural pressure = Pintravascular PextravascularWith a rigid tube, resistance is constant.

    With a distensible tube, an increase in pressure stretches walls lowering resistance:

    tendency for resistance to fall with increasing pressure

    16. DISCUSS THE LOCAL AND EXTRINSIC CONTROLS THAT REGULATE ARTERIOLAR PRESSURE.

    Local Control temperature; Heat application will dilate arterioles and cold application constricts them.

    Extrinsic sympathetic control is important in regulating blood pressure Increased sympathetic activity

    will lead to vasoconstriction, while decreased sympathetic activity will lead to arteriolar vasodilation.

    If vasodilated decrease in pressure, and vice-versa if vasoconstricted.

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    17. Discuss the factors the determine mean arterial pressure

    a. Total Peripheral Resistance (TPA)Blood vessels provide resistance to the flow of blood because of friction between moving blood and

    the wall of the vessel. The TPA refers to the sum total of vascular resistance to the flow of blood in the

    systemic circulation. Because of their small radii, arterioles provide the greatest resistance to blood flow

    in the arterial system. Adjustments in the radii of arterioles has a significant effect on TPA, which in turn

    has a significant effect on MAP. Resistance and pressure are directly proportional to each other. If

    resistance increases, then pressure increases. When the radii of arterioles decrease with

    vasoconstriction, TPA increases, which causes MAP to increase.

    b. Cardiac OutputCardiac output refers to the volume of blood pumped by the heart each minute. Put another way,

    the cardiac output is a measure of blood flow into the arterial system. Blood flow is directly proportional

    to pressure (Flow = pressure/resistance), therefore an increase in flow (cardiac output) will cause an

    increase in pressure (MAP).

    c. Blood VolumeBlood volume is directly related to blood pressure. If the blood volume is increased, then venous

    return of blood to the heart will increase. An increase in venous return will, by Starling's Law, cause

    stroke volume to increase. As stroke volume goes up the cardiac output goes up and the blood pressure

    rises. Thus one way to control blood pressure over the long term is to control blood volume.

    18. Describe the extrinsic and intrinsic innervation of the gastrointestina tract and explain their effects

    on GI motility and secretion.

    a. Intrinsic innervation:Myenteric Plexus/Auerbachs Plexus an outer plexus lyins between the longitudinal and

    circular muscle layers

    - not considered as excitatory since some of the neurons are

    INHIBITORY; its inhiboitory signals are used for inhibiting the intestinal sphincter muscles that

    impede food between segments of the g.i. tract, such as the pyloric sphincter, which controls

    emptying of the stomach into the duodenum, and the sphincter of the ileocecal valve, which

    controls emptying of the small intestine into the cecum.

    Submucosal Plexus/Meissners Plexus an inner place that lies in the submucosa

    - mainly concerned with controlling function within the inner wall

    of each minute segment of the intestine; helps control local intestinal secretion, local

    absorption, and local contraction of the submucosal muscle that cause various degrees of

    infolding of the g.i. mucosa.

    b. Extrinsic InnervationSympathetic the sympathetic nerve endings secrete mostly norepinephrine; stimulation

    inhibits activity of the g.i. tract and exerts its effect in two ways: one, to a slight extent by direct

    effect of the secreted norepinephrine to inhibit the smooth muscle and two, to a major extent

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    by the inhibitory effect of the norepinephrine on the neurons of the enteric nervous system.

    Hence, when sympathetic nerve fibers are stimulated, it can inhibit motor movements of the gut

    to a point that it can block movement of food through the gastrointestinal tract.

    Parasympatheticthe parasympathetic supply is divided into cranial and sacral divisions. The

    cranial divisions are transmitted almost entirely in the vagus nerves which provide innervations

    to the esophagus, stomach and pancreas, while the sacral divisions originate in the second,

    third, and fourth sacral segments of the spinal cord and pass through the pelvic nerves to the

    distal half of the large intestine.

    19) Describe how peristalsis in the GI propels content analward.

    Reflexes occur over considerable distances

    (1) intestinointestinal overdistention in one segment causes relaxation in other

    (2) ileogastric distention of ileum decreases gastric motility

    (3) gastroileal gastric motility stimulates movement through ileocecal sphincter

    Obstructions occur from cancer, ulcers, hernia, or paralytic ileus (loss of motility following abdominal

    trauma or surgery)

    *type of vomit indicates location above pylorus is acidic, below pylorus is basic

    high obstruction produces intense vomiting, low obstruction leads to constipation and delayed vomiting

    Emptying ileocecal sphincter is relaxed by ileal peristalsis, distention of terminal ileum, or gastroileal

    reflex

    Motility of the Colon

    The colon absorbs water and electrolytes (in ascending colon), stores fecal matter, and

    eliminates waste. Longitundinal muscle is gathered into three narrow bands (teniae coli)

    two anal sphincters internal consists of smooth muscle, external of striated

    Innervation parasymp. innervation is from the vagus nerve above transverse colon and from the pelvic

    nerve below. Sympathetic decreases motility, parasymp. increases segmental movements and produces

    sustained contractions

    *external anal sphincter is innervated by somatic motor fibers both voluntary and reflex control

    Haustration segments (haustra) mix and knead contents

    Mass Movement periodic (1-3 per day) sustained contractions that move material forward

    can be triggered by reflex from stomach (gastrocolic reflex) or duodenum (duodenalcolic reflex)

    Defecation mass movement of feces into rectum causes internal sphincter relaxation and external

    sphincter contraction

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    *voluntary relaxation of external sphincter initiates defecation control of muscle is learned behavior

    *if no motor nerves to external sphincter (babies or lower spinal damage), defecation is automatic upon

    filling of rectum

    20) Describe the regulation of gastric acid secretion.

    Gastric acid is produced by parietal cells (oxyntic cells) in the stomach. The canaliculi, which

    is an extensive secretory network of parietal cells (part of the epithelial fundic glands in the gastric

    mucosa), secretes acid into the lumen of the stomach. The acidity is maintained by the H+/K+ ATPase

    proton pump which allows parietal cells to release bicarbonate into the blood stream, which causes a

    temporary rise in pH (alkaline tide). The resulting highly acidic environment in the stomach lumen

    causes proteins from food to lose their characteristic folded structure (or denature). This exposes the

    protein's peptide bonds. The chief cells of the stomach secrete enzymes for protein breakdown (inactive

    pepsinogen and rennin). HCl activates pepsinogen into the enzyme pepsin, which then helps digestion

    by breaking the bonds linking amino acids, a process known as proteolysis. Gastric acid production is

    regulated by both the autonomic nervous system and several hormones. The parasympathetic nervous

    system, via the vagus nerve, and the hormone gastrin stimulate the parietal cell to produce gastric acid,

    both directly acting on parietal cells and indirectly, through the stimulation of the secretion of the

    hormone histamine from enterochromaffine-like cells (ECL). Vasoactive intestinal peptide,

    cholecystokinin, and secretin all inhibit production.

    The production of gastric acid in the stomach is tightly regulated by positive regulators and

    negative feedback mechanisms. Four types of cells are involved in this process: parietal cells, G cells, D

    cells and enterochromaffine-like cells. Besides this, the endings of the vagus nerve (CN X) and theintramural nervous plexus in the digestive tract influence the secretion significantly. Nerve endings in

    the stomach secrete two stimulatory neurotransmitters: acetylcholine and gastrin-releasing peptide.

    Their action is both direct on parietal cells and mediated through the secretion of gastrin from G cells

    and histamine from enterochromaffine-like cells. Gastrin acts on parietal cells directly and indirectly too,

    by stimulating the release of histamine. The release of histamine is the most important positive

    regulation mechanism of the secretion of gastric acid in the stomach. Its release is stimulated by gastrin

    and acetylcholine and inhibited by somatostatin.

    21) Explain how the gastric mucosal barrier protects the stomach.

    Gastric Mucosal Barrier

    The gastric mucosal barrier is the property of the stomach that allows it to contain acid.

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    If the barrier is broken, as by acetylsalicylic acid (ASS, aspirin) in acid solution, acid diffuses back into the

    mucosa where it can cause damage to the stomach itself.

    The barrier consists of three protective components [1]. These provide the additional resistance for the

    mucosal surface of the stomach. The three components include:

    a compact epithelial cell liningo Cells in the epithelium of the stomach are bound by tight junctions that repel harsh

    fluids that may injure the stomach lining.

    a special mucus coveringo The mucus covering is derived from mucus secreted by surface epithelial cells and

    mucosal neck cells. This insoluble mucus forms a protective gel-like coating over the

    entire surface of the gastric mucosa. The mucus protects the gastric mucosa from

    autodigestion by e.g. pepsin and from erosion by acids and other caustic materials that

    are ingested.

    bicarbonate ionso The bicarbonate ions are secreted by the surface epithelial cells. The bicarbonate ions

    act to neutralize harsh acids.

    Diagram of alkaline Mucous layer in stomach with mucosal defense mechanisms

    22) Describe the disgestion of carbohydrates, proteins and lipids along the length of the GIT.

    Digestion can occur at many levels in the body; generally, it refers to the breakdown of

    macro-molecules or a matrix of cells, or tissues, into smaller molecules and component parts. This

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    particular section will focus on digestion of food in the gastrointestinal tract: the process that is required

    to obtain essential nutrients from the food we eat. The gastrointestinal tract (GIT) is a highly specialized

    organ system that allows humans to consume food in discrete meals as well as in a very diverse array of

    foodstuffs to meet nutrient needs. Figure 1 contains a schematic of the GIT and illustrates the organs of

    the body with which food comes into contact during its digestion. These organs include the mouth,

    esophagus, stomach, small intestine, and large intestine; in addition, the pancreas and liver secrete into

    the intestine. The system is connected to the vascular, lymphatic, and nervous systems; however, the

    function of these systems in gastrointestinal physiology is beyond the scope of this article, which focuses

    primarily on the process of breaking down macromolecules and the matrix of food.

    Mechanical Aspects of Digestion

    Food is masticated in the mouth. Chewing breaks food into smaller particles that can mix more readily

    with the GIT secretions. In the mouth, saliva lubricates the food bolus so that it passes readily through

    the esophagus to the stomach. The sensory aspects of food stimulate the flow of saliva, which not only

    lubricates the bolus of food but is protective and contains digestive enzymes. Swallowing is regulated by

    sphincter actions to move the bolus of food into the stomach. The motility of the stomach continues theprocess of mixing food with the digestive secretions, now including gastric juice, which contains acid and

    some digestive enzymes. The action of the stomach continues to break down food into smaller particles

    prior to passage to the intestine. The mixture of food and digestive juices is referred to as digesta, or

    chyme. The stomach, which after a meal may contain more than a liter of material, regulates the rate of

    digestion by metering chyme into the small intestine over several hours. Several factors can slow the

    rate of gastric emptying; for example, solids take longer to empty than liquids, mixtures relatively high in

    lipid take longer to empty, and viscous, or thick, mixtures take longer to empty than watery, liquid

    contents.

    In the upper part of the small intestine, the duodenum, receptors appear to influence the rate of gastric

    emptying either through hormonal or neural signals. Peristaltic motor activity in the small intestine

    propels chyme along the length of the intestine, and segmentation allows mixing with digestive juices in

    the intestine, which include pancreatic enzymes, bile acids, and sloughed intestinal cells. Digestion of

    macronutrients, which began in the mouth, continues in the small intestine, where the intestinal surface

    provides an immense absorptive surface to allow absorption of digested molecules into circulation.

    While the intestine from the outside appears to be a tube, the lining of the inner surface contains tissue

    folds and villi that are lined with intestinal cells, each with microvilli, or a brush border, which greatly

    amplify the absorptive surface. The intestinal cells can absorb compounds by several cell

    membraneediated transport mechanisms and then transform them into compounds, or complexes, that

    can enter circulation through the blood, or lymphatic, system.What is not digested and absorbed passes into the large intestine. In this organ, water and electrolytes

    are reabsorbed, and the movements of the large intestine allow mixing of the contents with the

    microflora of bacteria and other microbes that are naturally present in the large intestine. These

    microbes continue the process of digesting the chyme. Eventually the residue enters the rectum and the

    anal canal, and stool is formed, which is defecated. Transit time of a non-digestible marker from mouth

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    to elimination in the stool varies considerably: normal transit time is typically twenty-four to thirty-six

    hours, but can be as long as seventy-two hours in otherwise healthy individuals.

    Breakdown of Macromolecules in Foods

    Foods are derived from the tissues of plants and animals as well as from various microorganisms. For

    absorption of nutrients from the gut to occur, the cellular and molecular structure of these tissues mustbe broken down. The mechanical actions of the GIT help disrupt the matrix of foods, and the

    macromolecules, including proteins, carbohydrates and lipids, are digested through the action of

    digestive enzymes. This digestion produces smaller, lower molecular weight molecules that can be

    transported into the intestinal cells to be processed for transport in blood, or lymph.

    Proteins are polymers of amino acids that in their native structure are three-dimensional. Many cooking

    or processing methods denature proteins, disrupting their tertiary structure. Denaturation, which makes

    the peptide linkages more available to digestive enzymes, is continued in the stomach with exposure to

    gastric acid. In addition, digestion of the peptide chain begins in the stomach with the enzyme pepsin.

    Once food enters the small intestine, enzymes secreted by the pancreas continue the process of

    hydrolyzing the peptide chain either by cleaving amino acids from the C-terminal end, or by hydrolyzing

    certain peptide bonds along the protein molecule. The active forms of the pancreatic enzymes include

    trypsin, chymotrypsin, elastase, and carboxypeptidase A and B. This process of protein digestion

    produces small peptide fragments and free amino acids. The brush border surface of the small intestine

    contains peptidases, which continue the digestion of peptides, either to smaller peptide fragments or

    free amino acids, and these products are absorbed by the intestinal cells.

    Carbohydrates are categorized as digestible or non-digestible. Digestible carbohydrates are the various

    sugar-containing molecules that can be digested by amylase or the saccharidases of the small intestine

    to sugars that can be absorbed from the intestine. The predominant digestible carbohydrates in foods

    are starch, sucrose, lactose (milk sugar), and maltose. Glycogen is a glucose polymer found in someanimal tissue; its structure is similar to some forms of starch. Foods may also contain simple sugars such

    as glucose or fructose that do not need to be digested before absorption by the gut. Alpha amylase,

    which hydrolyzes the alpha one to four linkages in starch, is secreted in the mouth from salivary glands

    and from the pancreas into the small intestine. The action of amylase produces smaller carbohydrate

    segments that can be further hydrolyzed to sugars by enzymes at the brush border of the intestinal cells.

    This hydrolysis step is closely linked with absorption of sugars into the intestinal cells.

    Non-digestible carbohydrates cannot be digested by the enzymes in the small intestine and are the

    primary component of dietary fiber. The most abundant polysaccharide in plant tissue is cellulose, which

    is a glucose polymer with beta one to four links between the sugars. Amylase, the starch-digesting

    enzyme of the small intestine, can only hydrolyze alpha links. The non-digestible carbohydrates also

    include hemicelluloses, pectins, gums, oligofructose, and inulin. While non-digestible, they do affect the

    digestive process because they provide bulk in the intestinal contents, hold water, can become viscous,

    or thick, in the intestinal contents, and delay gastric emptying. In addition, non-starch polysaccharides

    are the primary substrate for growth of the microorganisms in the large intestine and contribute to stool

    formation and laxation. Products of microbial action include ammonia, gas, and short-chain fatty acids

    (SCFA). SCFA are used by cells in the large intestine for energy and some appear in the circulation and

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    can be used by other cells in the body for energy as well. Thus, while dietary fiber is classified as non-

    digestible carbohydrate, the eventual digestion of these polysaccharides by microbes does provide

    energy to the body. Current research is focused on the potential effect of SCFA on the health of the

    intestine and their possible role in prevention of gastrointestinal diseases.

    For dietary lipids to be digested and absorbed, they must be emulsified in the aqueous environment of

    the intestinal contents; thus bile salts are as important as lipolytic enzymes for fat digestion and

    absorption. Dietary lipids include fatty acids esterified to a glycerol backbone (mono-, di-or

    triglycerides); phospholipids; sterols, which may be esterified; waxes; and the fat-soluble vitamins, A, D,

    E, and K. Digestion of triglycerides (TG), phospholipids (PL), and sterols illustrate the key factors in

    digestion of lipids. Lipases hydrolyze ester bonds and release fatty acids. In TG and PL, the fatty acids are

    esterified to a glycerol backbone, and in sterols, to a sterol nucleus such as cholesterol. Lipases that

    digest lipids are found in food, and are secreted in the mouth and stomach and from the pancreas into

    the small intestine. Lipases in food are not essential for normal fat digestion; however, lipase associated

    with breast milk is especially important for newborn infants. In adults the pancreatic lipase system is the

    most important for lipid digestion. This system involves an interaction between lipase, colipase, and bilesalts that leads to rapid hydrolysis of fatty acids from TG. An important step in the process is formation

    of micelles, which allows the lipid aggregates to be miscible in the aqueous environment of the

    intestine. In mixed micelles, bile salts and PL function as emulsifying agents and are located on the

    surface of these spherical particles. Lipophilic compounds such as MG, DG, free sterols, and fatty acids,

    as well as fat-soluble vitamins, are in the core of the particle. Micelles can move lipids to the intestinal

    cell surface, where the lipids can be transported through the cell membrane and eventually packaged by

    the intestinal cells for transport in blood or lymph. Most absorbed lipid is carried in chylomicrons, large

    lipoproteins that appear in the blood after a meal and which are cleared rapidly in healthy individuals.

    Bile salts are absorbed from the lower part of the small intestine, returned to the liver, and resecreted

    into the intestine, a process referred to as enterohepatic circulation. It is important to note that bilesalts are made from cholesterol, and drugs such as cholestyramine or diet components such as fiber that

    decrease the amount of bile salt reabsorbed from the intestine help to lower plasma cholesterol

    concentrations.

    Regulation of Gastrointestinal Function

    Regulation of the gastrointestinal response to a meal involves a complex set of hormone and neural

    interactions. The complexity of this system derives from the fact that part of the response is directed at

    preparing the GIT to digest and absorb the meal that has been consumed in an efficient manner and also

    at signaling short-term satiety so that feeding is terminated at an appropriate point. Traditionally,

    physiologists have viewed the regulation in three phases: cephalic, gastric, and intestinal. In the cephalicphase, the sight, smell, and taste of foods stimulates the secretion of digestive juices into the mouth,

    stomach, and intestine, essentially preparing these organs to digest the foods to be consumed.

    Experiments in which animals are sham fed so that food consumed does not actually enter the stomach

    or intestine demonstrate that the cephalic phase accounts for a significant portion of the secretion into

    the gut. The gastric and intestinal phases occur when food and its components are in direct contact with

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    the stomach or intestine, respectively. During these phases, the distension of the organs with food as

    well as the specific composition of the food can stimulate a GIT response.

    The GIT, the richest endocrine organ in the body, contains a vast array of peptides; however, the exact

    physiological function of each of these compounds has not been established. Five peptides, gastrin,

    cholecystokinin (CCK), secretin, gastric inhibitory peptide (GIP), and motilin are established as regulatory

    hormones in the GIT. Multiple aspects have been investigated to understand their release and action.

    For example, CCK is located in the upper small intestine; protein and fat stimulate its release from the

    intestine, while acid inhibits its secretion. Once released, it can inhibit gastric emptying and stimulate

    secretion of acid and pancreatic juice and contraction of the gall bladder. In addition, it stimulates

    motility and growth in the GIT and regulates food intake and insulin release. Among the other

    established gastrointestinal peptides, secretin stimulates secretion of fluid and bicarbonate from the

    pancreas, gastrin stimulates secretion in the stomach, GIP inhibits gastric acid secretion, and motilin

    stimulates the motility of the upper GIT. In addition to investigating the various factors causing release

    of these hormones and the response to them, physiologists are also interested in the interactions

    among hormones as well as those with the nervous system, since the response to a meal involvesrelease of many factors.

    Obtaining food and digesting it efficiently are paramount to survival. The human GIT system most likely

    evolved during the period when the species acquired its food primarily through hunting and gathering.

    The over-lapping regulatory systems, combined with an elevated capacity to digest food and absorb

    nutrients, insured that humans used food efficiently during periods in which scarcity might occur.

    23) Describe the defacation reflex and explainhoe defacation occurs in individuals with spinal cord

    injury.

    It is a synchronized sequence of events associated with neural influences. There are several

    reflexes that are related to the physiology of defecation. The rectum is innervated with nerves that

    initiate reflex contractions upon its distention. These contractions altogether constitute the desire to

    defecate.

    The human rectum has two sphincters: the external anal sphincter, and the internal anal sphincter. In

    the internal anal sphincter, the sympathetic nerve supply towards it is excitatory, while the

    parasympathetic nerve supply is inhibitory. Thus, this sphincter relaxes when the rectum is being

    distended. On the other hand, the external anal sphincter, which is a skeletal muscle, is innervated by a

    branch of the pudendal nerve, and this is maintained in a state of contraction. Even a slight increase or

    slight distention of the rectum allows it to increase several-fold the force of its contraction. When this

    rectal pressure rises to approximately 18 mmHg, the urge to defecate arises. However when this reaches

    55 mmHg, this means bad news since both the external and internal anal sphincter will relax and

    therefore, there will be a reflex expulsion of fecal matter! This will explain why in animals, expulsion of

    rectal contents is not an atypical sight.

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    Prior to reaching this seemingly embarrassing pressure point of 55 mmHg, defecation can be made

    voluntarily through straining. Defecation is hence a spinal reflex that can be managed through keeping

    the external sphincter in its contracted state, or it can be induced through sphincter muscle relaxation

    and contracting the muscles of the abdomen.

    Ever wondered why at times the urge to defecate happens after a hearty meal? This is because the

    stomach, upon distention by food, initiates contraction of the rectum. This is called the gastrocolic

    reflex, and there are recent studies that it is a function of gastrin on the colon, and not due to any neural

    influence. That is why in children, it is already a given rule that defecation should occur after meals.

    In abnormalities involving the colon, these reflexes may be impaired, but not necessarily. It is important

    to have quite a little bit of knowledge as to how the mechanism of defecation works, so it would be

    easier to understand the abnormal conditions.

    Function of the Bowel Following a Spinal Cord Injury

    Following a spinal cord injury, damage to the spinal cord may result in the loss of

    the ability to control the bowel reflex when the rectum is full, or the reflex toempty the rectum may be lost altogether. The function of the bowel is

    maintained by the nerves entering the spinal cord at the sacral levels of S2 - S4.

    Due to the voluntary action of the bowel being communicated so low in the

    spinal cord, any spinal cord injury will usually have some impact on the

    defecation process.

    The Reflex Bowel or Upper Motor Neuron Bowel

    If the spinal cord injury is above T12, the sensation of a full bowel may no longer

    be detectable by the injured person. In such cases, the anal sphincter will remain

    closed, however, it will open on a reflex basis when the rectum becomes full.

    This type of bowel is referred to as an upper motor neuron bowel reflex. As the

    person will not be able to sense when the rectum is full, the reflex to empty the

    rectum can happen at any time unless the bowel is managed properly.

    The upper motor neurone bowel reflex can be managed to prevent accidental

    defecation, by causing the defecation reflex to occur at a socially appropriate

    time.

    The Flaccid Bowel or Lower Motor Neuron Bowel

    If the spinal cord injury is below T12, then there may be damage to the

    defecation reflex, and the anal sphincter muscle may relax, staying open. This type of bowel is referred

    to as an lower motor neuron bowel or flaccid bowel.

    The lower motor neurone bowel reflex can be managed to prevent accidental defecation, by emptying

    the bowel more frequently at a socially appropriate time, by bearing down or the manual removal of

    stool.

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    Both types of bowel, reflex and flaccid, can be managed to avoid the accidental opening of the bowel,

    and to avoid constipation and impaction.

    24. Discuss the forces involved in glomerular filtration.

    The GFR depends on the filtration pressure at the level of the glomerulus, but also on the permeability

    of the glomerular membrane and the surface area of the glomerular membrane. Obviously, no matter

    how high the filtration pressure, no fluid will filter if the glomerular filtration membrane is not

    permeable or has zero surface area.

    25. Discuss how GFR is regulated.

    -the mechanisms adjust blood flow into and out of the glomerulus and alter the glomerular

    capillary surface are available for filtration. It involves renal autoregulation that maintains a constantGFR despite changes in arterial BP with this there is negative feedback control from the JuxtaGlomerular

    Apparatus which adjusts local blood pressure and therefore blood volume within each glomerulus. This

    is termed tubuloglomerular autoregulation. The smooth muscle in the renal arterioles also makes local

    adjustments to blood pressure which adjust for changes in systemic arterial pressure by maintaining the

    appropriate pressure gradient between the afferent and efferent arterioles. This is termed myogenic

    autoregulation. Second is hormonal regulation by Renin-Angiotensin thus Rennin activates

    angiotensinogen to Angiotensin I and it is later further activated by angiotensin-converting enzyme

    (ACE) to Angiotensin II. Angiotensin I and Angiotensin II, among other influences, increase systemic

    blood pressure and blood volume which will tend to increase GFR. Third is by antagonistic interplay of

    Aldosterone and Atrial Natriuretic Peptide (ANP) wherein Aldosterone, from the adrenal cortex,promotes retention of water and sodium ions and excretion of potassium ions, and, therefore, will tend

    to increase GFR. Atrial Natriuretic Peptide (ANP) from the atrial walls of the heart promotes retention of

    potassium ions and excretion of water and sodium ions, and, therefore, will tend to decrease GFR.

    26. What establishes a vertical osmotic gradient in the medullary interstitial fluid? Of what

    importance is this gradient?

    Interstitial Fluid concentration is 300 mOsm/L at the cortex, and 1200 mOsm/L at the Medulla and the

    increasing concentrations are called a Vertical Osmotic Gradient. The active transport pump moves NaClout of the tubule in the ascending Loop of Henle which is impermeable to water and the descending

    limb is the only part that does not pump Na+ out, and it is permeable to water, increasing concentration

    inside the tubule

    The Countercurrent flow of fluid is also necessary for the Vertical Osmotic Gradient

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    27. Discuss the function and mechanism of action of ADH.

    The primary function of ADH in the body is to regulate extracellular fluid volume by affecting renal

    handling of water in which it limits the amount of water being lost in the urine by increasing the amount

    of water being reabsorbed into the blood, although it is also a vasoconstrictor and pressor agent (hence,

    the name "vasopressin"). ADH acts on renal collecting ducts via V2 receptors to increase waterpermeability (cAMP-dependent mechanism), which leads to decreased urine formation (hence, the

    antidiuretic action of "antidiuretic hormone"). This increases blood volume, cardiac output and arterial

    pressure.

    28. Define plasma clearance. How is this related to the GFR?

    Plasma clearance is the measure of the filtration capability of the kidney. it has a direct relationship to

    the GFR of the kidney and factors regulated to maintain body fluid balance is plasma osmolality

    attributing it to ECF Na concentration and ECF water volume. in order to maintain a normal 300 osmol ofthe ECF of the blood ADH is secreted acting on the collecting tubules of the kidney depending on how

    much water is to be secreted to maintain balance.

    29. What factors are regulated to maintain the bodys fluid balance?

    The factors that need to be regulated are: input and output of water, ADH and Aldosterone.

    Input of water is regulated primarily by changes in the volume ingested (controlled by thirst). An

    insufficiency of water results in an increased osmolarity in the extracellular fluid. This is sensed by

    osmoreceptors, which trigger thirst.

    Output of water is regulated primarily by changes in urine volume ( controlled by level of ADH).

    The body's homeostatic control mechanisms, which maintain a constant internal environment, ensure

    that a balance between fluid gain and fluid loss is maintained. The hormones ADH (also known as

    vasopressin) and Aldosterone play a major role in this. If the body is becoming fluid-deficient, there will

    be an increase in the secretion of these hormones, causing fluid to be retained by the kidneys and urine

    output to be reduced. Conversely, if fluid levels are excessive, secretion of these hormones is

    suppressed, resulting in less retention of fluid by the kidneys and a subsequent increase in the volume of

    urine produced.

    30. How is the plasma concentration of a hormone normally regulated?

    The plasma concentration of a hormone is normally regulated by changes in its rate of secretion, and

    depends on three factors:

    1) hormone's rate of secretion into the blood by the endocrine gland

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    > pulsatility - stimulation causes an increase in the frequency of pulses.

    2) Hormone's rate of removal from the blood by metabolic inactivation in the liver and/or excretion in

    the urine

    3) its extent of binding to plasma proteins

    31. Discuss the contributions of parathyroid hormone, calcitonin, and vit. D to Ca++ metabolism.

    Describe the source and control of each of these hormones

    -Parathyroid hormone:

    PTH is synthesized and stored in the chief cells of the parathyroid glands. Synthesis is regulated by a feedback mechanism involving the level of blood calcium (and, to a

    lesser degree, magnesium).

    The primary function of PTH is to control calcium concentration in the extracellular fluid, whichit does by affecting the rate of transfer of calcium into and out of bone, resorption in the

    kidneys, and absorption from the GI tract.

    The effect on the kidneys is the most rapid, causing reabsorption of calcium and excretion ofphosphorus.

    The major initial effect on bone is to mobilize calcium from the bone to the extracellular fluid;later, bone formation may be enhanced. PTH does not directly affect calcium absorption from

    the gut. Its effect is mediated indirectly by regulation of synthesis of the active metabolite of

    vitamin D.

    -Calcitonin:

    Is a 32-AA polypeptide hormone secreted by the parafollicular cells of the thyroid gland. The concentration of calcium ion in extracellular fluids is the principal stimulus for the secretion

    of calcitonin by parafollicular cells.

    The storage of large amounts of preformed hormone in parafollicular cells and rapid release inresponse to a moderate rise in circulating calcium probably reflect the physiologic role of

    calcitonin as an emergency hormone to protect against development of hypercalcemia.

    Calcitonin exerts its effects by interacting with target cells, primarily in the bone and kidney. The actions of PTH and calcitonin are antagonistic on bone resorption but synergistic on

    decreasing the renal tubular reabsorption of phosphorus.

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    The hypocalcemic effects of calcitonin are primarily the result of decreased entry of calciumfrom the bones into plasma, resulting from a temporary inhibition of PTH-stimulated bone

    resorption.

    The hypophosphatemia develops from a direct action of calcitonin, which increases the rate ofmovement of phosphorus out of plasma into soft tissue and bone and inhibits the boneresorption stimulated by PTH and other factors.

    -Vitamin D:

    Major hormone involved in the regulation of Ca++ metabolism next to PTH. Must be metabolically activated first before it can function physiologically. The biologic actions of vit. D depends on hydroxylation in the liver and kidney to form the

    biologically active form (1, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D [calcitriol]).

    This conversion in the kidneys is the rate-limiting step in vit. D metabolism and is partlyresponsible for the delay between vit. D administration and expression of its biologic effects.

    PTH = active Vit. D circulating phosphorus conc. =active Vit. D

    32. What are the biochemical classes of hormones? How do these classes differ from each other in

    terms of synthesis, storage, circulation, and mechanism of action?

    Hormones are classified into three biochemical categories: Steroids Proteins/peptides Amines

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    33. Explain how glucose regulates the secretion of insulin in beta cells

    Transport of glucose into beta cells through GLUT-2 transporter proteinsMetabolism ofglucose inside the beta cellsProduction of ATP (or NADP+) Then, this closes (the ATP

    molecule) the K+ channels Depolarization Voltage-gated Ca+ channels open

    intracellular Ca+ Exocytosis of insulin from secretory granules

    The beta cell's primary function is to correlate release of insulin with changes in blood glucose

    concentration using a glucose transport protein (GLUT2) and a kinase (glucokinase) both of which

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    have low affinities for glucose. GLUT2 is quite active, but the Km for glucose is around 5

    mmol/l. Therefore, transport of glucose into the beta cell is rapid, but only when the blood glucose

    concentration exceeds post-meal levels.

    The next component of the glucose sensor is glucokinase, the enzyme that initiates

    glycolysis. Unlike hexokinase, glucokinase has a low affinity for its substrate. Glucokinase activity

    increases and decreases parallel to changes in blood glucose levels within the physiological range.

    Glucokinase activity is, therefore, most sensitive to changes in blood glucose concentration within

    the physiological range (approximately 4-6 mmol/l).

    Consequently, both uptake of glucose by the beta cell and initiation of glycolysis closely follow blood

    glucose levels. We have a system that responds to increases in blood glucose with a rapid uptake

    and metabolism of glucose, but which is rather sluggish at the glucose levels found between

    meals. The "glucose sensor pair" GLUT2-GK is also found in the liver and hypothalamus and seems

    to be the universal glucose sensor.

    The resting membrane potential of about -60 mV found in beta cells arises from loss of K+ ions to the

    extracellular space. The distinguishing characteristic of this ion channel in beta cells is that it isbound to a regulatory protein, known as SUR1. This name comes from the fact that this protein is

    the receptor for sulfonylurea compounds(with hypoglycemic effect).

    The Kir6.2-SUR1 complex is now known as the KATPchannel. The complete channel consists of a core

    of four Kir 6.2 subunits surrounded by four SUR1 subunits. The SUR1 complex acts as a regulator of

    the K+ channel, binding ATP as well as sulfonylurea compounds. Both ATP and tolbutamide have

    inhibitory actions on the KATP channel and therefore inhibit K+ efflux. This leads to depolarization of

    the beta cell, Ca++ influx and insulin secretion. Another agent, diazoxide, stimulates the KATP channel

    and promotes K+ efflux, membrane polarization and inhibition of insulin secretion.

    *** The classical viewpoint has been that the pancreatic beta cell obtains its energy supply throughaerobic glycolysis, using glucose as substrate. However, resting beta cell oxidative phosphorylation may

    be dependent upon oxidation of fatty acids (discussed later). The rate of fatty acid beta oxidation may

    limit oxidative phosphorylation. The ATP/ADP ratio is relatively low in beta cells exposed to fasting

    blood glucose levels. The accelerated glucose uptake found at glucose levels over 5 mmoles/l augments

    ATP synthesis. In other words, ATP synthesis is dependent upon the rates of glucose uptake and aerobic

    glycolysis. Variations in ATP levels occur parallel to changes in blood glucose concentration. ATP acts as

    a second messenger in these cells, informing the KATP channel of variations in blood glucose

    levels. Stated simply: more glucose, more ATP, increased INHIBITION of K+ transport, depolarization of

    the beta cell and then, release of insulin.

    Incidentally, it has been suggested that both PIP2 and ADP levels may be just as important as ATP inregulation of KATP and membrane polarization. *

    The final element in the signal system for insulin secretion is the voltage-dependent Ca++

    (VDCC)

    channel. This opens when the membrane voltage falls to less than -40 mvolts. The Ca++

    that then

    enters the cell is directly involved in the exocytotic process that releases insulin form the "rapidly

    released pool" of insulin-containing granules.

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    *****SHORTER

    VERSION

    GLUT2 and

    glucokinase are

    activated when blood

    glucose increase to

    about 5.5

    mmol/l. Aerobic

    glycolysis will drive the

    ATP/ADP ratio

    upwards. The ATP

    produced inhibits the

    KATP channel, thus

    reducing the flow of

    potassium ions from

    the beta cell. As a

    result, the cellbecomes increasingly

    depolarized. Slow

    depolarization waves

    are initiated as the

    membrane potential

    falls. Action

    potentials occur at the tops of these waves. Insulin secretion is pulsatile, the hormone being

    secreted in bursts that occur simultaneously with the action potentials. Calcium causes exocytosis

    from the "rapidly released pool" and migration of insulin-containing granules from the "reserve pool"

    to the cell membrane where they are "docked" and energized.

    34. Enumerate the effects of insulin in the liver, muscle, and fat cells

    LIVER:

    Stimulates GLYCOGENESIS Inhibits GLUCONEOGENESIS Promotes LIPOGENESIS Stimulates PROTEIN SYNTHESIS

    MUSCLE:

    Promotes UPTAKE OF GLUCOSE via GLUT4 Promotes GLYCOGEN SYNTHESIS

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    Promotes GLYCOLYSIS Promotes PROTEIN SYNTHESIS

    FAT CELLS:

    Promotes UPTAKE OF GLUCOSE via GLUT4 Promotes GLYCOLYSIS Promotes SYNTHESIS OF TGs Inhibits HORMONE-SENSITIVE TG LIPASE Promotes SYNTHESIS OF LIPOPr LIPASE

    35. Describe the regulation of thyroid activity by the hypothalamus and anterior pituitary.

    The secretion of hormones from the thyroid gland is regulated by negative feedback in the

    hypothalamicpituitarythyroid axis. The hypothalamus secretes TRH, which stimulates the release of

    TSH from the adenohypophysis of the pituitary. Thyroid-stimulating hormone then stimulates the

    release of T3 and T4 from the thyroid. In this hormone axis, negative-feedback inhibition is exerted

    primarily at the level of the pituitary. As the intracellular concentration of T3 in the thyrotroph cells of

    the pituitary increases, then the responsiveness of these TSH-producing cells to TRH decreases. The

    mechanism of this decreased responsiveness involves down regulation of TRH receptors. This results in a

    decrease in the secretion of TSH and, consequently, a decrease in the secretion of T3 and T4. The excess

    of intracellular T3 that elicits the negative feedback control of secretion comes from two sources: 80%

    from the deiododination of serum T4 within the thyrotroph cells and 20% from serum T3.

    36. Explain how thyroid hormones affect cell activity following interaction with its nuclear receptor.

    DEIODINATION OF T4T3 IN PERIPHERAL CELLS THYROID HORMONE-RECEPTOR COMPLEX EFFECTS ON METABOLISM IN DIFFERENT CELLS

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    Receptors for thyroid hormones are intracellular DNA-binding proteins that function as

    hormone-responsive transcription factors, very similar conceptually to the receptors for steroid

    hormones.

    Thyroid hormones enter cells through membrane transporter proteins. A number of plasma

    membrane transporters have been identified, some of which require ATP hydrolysis; the relative

    importance of different carrier systems is not yet clear and may differ among tissues. Once inside the

    nucleus, the hormone binds its receptor, and the hormone-receptor complex interacts with specific

    sequences of DNA in the promoters of responsive genes. The effect of the hormone-receptor complex

    binding to DNA is to modulate gene expression, either by stimulating or inhibiting transcription of

    specific genes.

    37. Describe the hormonal, ovarian, and uterine changes during the entire menstrual cycle.

    Estrogen secondary sexual characteristics

    - estradiol - most important; dominant

    - stimulate bone and muscle growth

    - maintain secondary sex characteristics

    - affecting CNS activity

    - maintain functional accessory reproductive glands and organs

    - initiate growth and repair of endometrium

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    Effects of Estrogen:

    Uterus & external genitalia- increase in size- fat deposition in mons pubis- epithelial change from cuboidal to stratified - more resistant to trauma & infection- proliferation of endometrium- development of endometrial glands Fallopian tubes- increased glandular tissues- increased number and activity of ciliated epithelial cells Breasts- development of stromal tissue- growth of ductile system- deposition of fat Protein deposition- slight increase in total body protein Bones- increase osteoblastic activity- early uniting of epiphysis of long bones- menopause - no estrogen - decrease osteoblastic activity osteoporosis Fat deposition- increased metabolic rate- deposition in thighs and buttocks Hair Distribution- fairly distributed Electrolyte imbalance- water and Na retention - chemical similarity to adrenocortical hormone; significant in pregnancy

    Progestin - progesterone - for pregnancy and lactation

    - non-pregnant: secreted by corpus luteum

    - pregnancy: placenta, after 4 months

    Follicular phase

    This phase is also called the proliferative phase because a hormone causes the lining of

    the uterus to grow, or proliferate, during this time.

    Through the influence of a rise in follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) during the first days

    of the cycle, a few ovarian follicles are stimulated.[20] These follicles, which were present at

    birth[20] and have been developing for the better part of a year in a process known as

    folliculogenesis, compete with each other for dominance. Under the influence of several

    hormones, all but one of these follicles will stop growing, while one dominant follicle in the

    ovary will continue to maturity. The follicle that reaches maturity is called a tertiary, or Graafian,

    follicle, and it forms the ovum.

    As they mature, the follicles secrete increasing amounts of estradiol, an estrogen. The

    estrogens initiate the formation of a new layer of endometrium in the uterus, histologically

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    identified as the proliferative endometrium. The estrogen also stimulates crypts in the cervix to

    produce fertile cervical mucus, which may be noticed by women practicing fertility awareness.

    Ovulation

    During the follicular phase, estradiol suppresses production of luteinizing hormone (LH)

    from the anterior pituitary gland. When the egg has nearly matured, levels of estradiol reach a

    threshold above which this effect is reversed and estrogen actually stimulates the production of

    a large amount LH. This process, known as the LH surge, starts around day 12 of the average

    cycle and may last 48 hours.

    The exact mechanism of these opposite responses of LH levels to estradiol is not well

    understood. In animals, a GnRH surge has been shown to precede the LH surge, suggesting that

    estrogen's main effect is on the hypothalamus, which controls GnRH secretion. This may be

    enabled by the presence of two different estrogen receptors in the hypothalamus: estrogen

    receptor alpha, which is responsible for the negative feedback estradiol-LH loop, and estrogen

    receptor beta, which is responsible for the positive estradiol-LH relationship. However in

    humans it has been shown that high levels of estradiol can provoke abrupt increases in LH, even

    when GnRH levels and pulse frequencies are held constant, suggesting that estrogen acts

    directly on the pituitary to provoke the LH surge.

    The release of LH matures the egg and weakens the wall of the follicle in the ovary,

    causing the fully developed follicle to release its secondary oocyte. The secondary oocyte

    promptly matures into an ootid and then becomes a mature ovum. The mature ovum has a

    diameter of about 0.2 mm.

    After being released from the ovary and into the peritoneal space, the egg is swept into

    the fallopian tube by the fimbria, which is a fringe of tissue at the end of each fallopian tube.

    After about a day, an unfertilized egg will disintegrate or dissolve in the fallopian tube.

    Fertilization by a spermatozoon, when it occurs, usually takes place in the ampulla, the widest

    section of the fallopian tubes. A fertilized egg immediately begins the process of embryogenesis,

    or development. The developing embryo takes about three days to reach the uterus and

    another three days to implant into the endometrium. It has usually reached the blastocyst stage

    at the time of implantation.

    In some women, ovulation features a characteristic pain called mittelschmerz (German

    term meaning middle pain). The sudden change in hormones at the time of ovulation sometimes

    also causes light mid-cycle blood flow.

    Luteal phase

    The luteal phase is also called the secretory phase. An important role is played by the

    corpus luteum, the solid body formed in an ovary after the egg has been released from the

    ovary into the fallopian tube. This body continues to grow for some time after ovulation and

    produces significant amounts of hormones, particularly progesterone. Progesterone plays a vital

    role in making the endometrium receptive to implantation of the blastocyst and supportive of

    the early pregnancy; it also has the side effect of raising the woman's basal body temperature.

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    After ovulation, the pituitary hormones FSH and LH cause the remaining parts of the dominant

    follicle to transform into the corpus luteum, which produces progesterone. The increased

    progesterone in the adrenals starts to induce the production of estrogen. The hormones

    produced by the corpus luteum also suppress production of the FSH and LH that the corpus

    luteum needs to maintain itself.

    Consequently, the level of FSH and LH fall quickly over time, and the corpus luteum

    subsequently atrophies. Falling levels of progesterone trigger menstruation and the beginning of

    the next cycle. From the time of ovulation until progesterone withdrawal has caused

    menstruation to begin, the process typically takes about two weeks, with 14 days considered

    normal. For an individual woman, the follicular phase often varies in length from cycle to cycle;

    by contrast, the length of her luteal phase will be fairly consistent from cycle to cycle.

    The loss of the corpus luteum can be prevented by fertilization of the egg; the resulting

    embryo produces human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), which is very similar to LH and which

    can preserve the corpus luteum. Because the hormone is unique to the embryo, most pregnancy

    tests look for the presence of hCG.

    38. Describe the effects of testosterone and dihydrotestosterone on the male body during puberty.

    Testosterone

    - produced by Leydig cells in the interstitium of the testis

    - for growth and division of the testicular germinal cells (first stage in forming sperm)

    - spermatogenesis

    - Decrease in GnRH Secretion (negative regulation on the Hypothalamus)

    - Inhibits LH Secretion (negative regulation on the Pituitary Gland)

    - Development of Male Accessory Reproductive Organs

    - Responsible for Male Secondary Sex Characteristics (Distribution of Body Hair, Baldness

    Voice, Skin, Acne)

    - Stimulates Protein Anabolism, Bone Growth and Cessation of Bone Growth

    - Maintains Sex Drive and may enhance aggressive behavior

    - increases the RBCs

    Dihydrotestosterone

    - 5-A-Reductase converts Testosterone to Dihydrotestosterone (DHT)

    - DHT has approximately three times greater affinity for androgen receptors than testosterone

    and has 15-30 times greater affinity than adrenal androgens

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    - During embryogenesis: formation of the male external genitalia, while in the adult DHT acts as

    the primary androgen in the prostate and in hair follicles

    39. Discuss the ionic basis of resting membrane potentials and the action potentials in nerve and

    skeletal muscle tissues.

    Phospholipid bilayer prevents non-soluble ions from passing through the lipid component,allowing separation of charges

    Resting ion channels (leaky channels or non-gated) allows diffusible ions to pass (more leaky Kion channels than Na ion channels)

    Energy-dependent Na-K Pump (Na-K/ATPase System) contributes to long term Passive fluxes of Ion across the cell membrane decrease concentration of electrical gradients

    (K efflux) through leaky K channels which determines RMP (resting membrane potential).

    40. Discuss the different stages of synaptic transmission.

    Stages:

    Synthesis and storage of neurotransmittersThe first step in synaptic transmission is the synthesis and storage of neurotransmitters.

    There are two broad categories of neurotransmitters. Small-molecule neurotransmitters are

    synthesized locally within the axon terminal. Some of the precursors necessary for the synthesis

    of these molecules are taken up by selective transporters on the membrane of the terminal.

    Others are byproducts of cellular processes that take place within the neuron itself and are thus

    readily available. The enzymes necessary to catalyze an interaction among these precursors are

    usually produced in the cell body and transported to the terminal by slow axonal transport.

    Acetylcholine (ACh), is an example of an excitatory small-molecule neurotransmitter.

    This important, well-studied neurotransmitter, made up of choline and acetate, is found atvarious locations throughout the central and peripheral nervous systems and at all

    neuromuscular junctions. The synthesis of ACh requires the enzyme choline actyltransferase

    and, like all small-molecule neurotransmitters, takes place within the nerve terminal.

    Neuropeptides are the seco