Q9: The Role of Cholecystokinin (CCK) in Digestion 

You are working in the laboratory of Professor Craig Harrison, a world-leading hormonal researcher, to develop a drug for the treatment of obesity. With your understanding of the role of CCK in the chemical digestion of macromolecules, explain why Professor Harrison is testing a CCK receptor antagonist for the treatment of high-fat diet induced obesity.

[maximum 200 words]

Q8: Abnormal Gut Secretions: Impacts on Digestion

For ALL 3 of the following conditions, answer the questions a-c below [max 300 words per condition including references]:

1. Cholecystectomy      2. Peptic Ulcer Disease     3. Cystic Fibrosis

a. What gut secretions(s) is/are affected by this procedure/disease and which cells synthesise this/these secretions?

b. Explain the effects (if any) of this procedure/disease on the chemical digestion of fats, proteins and carbohydrates.

c. Find and cite a primary research paper that provides current effective treatment of this/these abnormal secretion(s). Make sure to add your reference at the bottom of each section. 

Q6: Research – Your Experimental Data from the Gut Lab

Submit ONE PDF file that includes all parts of Q6 and Q7.

Part 1: Figures and Figure Legends

Please submit the following two figures of your experimental recordings from the gut lab:

• Figure 2: Protocol A (Nerve Stimulation)
• Figure 3: Atropine + Protocol A (Nerve Stimulation)

Each figure must include a detailed legend [maximum 150 words each].

Part 2: Tables

Include your ‘Nerve Stimulation’ and ‘Acetylcholine’ data tables from the gut lab. Label these table 1 and table 2.

You must show your calculations for all cells in these tables.

Part 3: Analysis of your experimental data 

Referring to the relevant figure(s) and table(s) you have provided, describe what happened to the response to myenteric nerve stimulation after the addition of atropine to the organ bath. EXPLAIN why atropine does not completely inhibit the response to nerve stimulation, but normally results in a near-complete loss of the contractile response to acetylcholine (in the rat ileum). In your response you should describe the pathways following muscarinic receptor activation that led to the increase in the force of contraction. [maximum 250 words]

Q7: Research: Conference Abstract

Exciting news! Your BMS2031 Gut Lab experiments performed for Professor Choate’s drug company (Motilix) will be presented at the annual International Conference for Gut Motility. You must provide an abstract of your experiments for the conference organisers.

Abstracts are short, informative and engaging summaries of experiments. Your abstract must be no more than 400 words and must include:

1. A TITLE: short [max 25 words], informative and engaging (i.e., something that will encourage your audience to continue reading your abstract and to come to your conference presentation!)
2. AN INTRODUCTION: in no more than 100 words, explain the topic. This background is important for the reader to understand the purpose of the research (why did you do the experiment, why is it important, what problem are you trying to solve?)
3. HYPOTHESIS/GENERAL PROBLEM: What specific question did you address? In max 25 words, state your hypothesis OR the general problem being addressed by your study
4. METHODS: in no more than 50 words, describe your experimental set-up and methodology
5. RESULTS: in no more than 100 words, concisely describe your results (you should include some of the data – no figures, just text)
6. DISCUSSION: in no more than 100 words, put your results into the context of the neuronal control of gut motility AND drive home the broader implications of your experimental findings. Include a brief comment on any limitations or future directions of your experiments.

Note: Please do not provide references for this abstract and please keep the headers in your response: title, introduction, etc…

[maximum 400 words for your abstract]

Note: your responses to Q6 parts 1, 2 , 3 & Q7 should ALL be contained within a PDF file and not in the text box.

Q5: The Defecation Reflex: Spinal Cord Injury

A 27-year-old male is brought to the emergency department following a motorcycle accident. Imaging reveals a complete spinal cord injury at the T12 level (lowest vertebra in the thoracic region of the spinal cord). In the days following the injury, the patient reports a lack of bowel movements despite a normal diet. A rectal exam shows a distended rectum with stools present, but the patient does not feel the urge to defecate. 

Given your understanding of the neuronal control of the colon, rectum and sphincters during the defecation reflex, EXPLAIN why this spinal cord injury will lead to constipation and involuntary stool leakage. You must describe the specific types of neurons involved in the ‘normal’ defecation reflex in your answer.

[maximum 250 words]

Q4: Sympathetic control of intestinal and sphincter smooth muscle

Q3: Testing Gut Motility in the Clinic 

Find a gut/gastroenterology clinic in Melbourne that assesses gut motility using either manometry or capsule endoscopy technology. 

Provide the clinic name, url and type of technology. Following this, search the research literature for a primary research paper that uses the technology to assess gut motility in humans. EXPLAIN how the technology works (for your peer audience), cite the research paper then add the reference at the bottom of your response.

[maximum 200 words; including reference]

Q1: Gut Motility

In the figure legend underneath your image [maximum 250 words]:

- describe this type of motility; and its functions

- describe the neuronal and/or hormonal triggers for the motility (during digestion of a meal);

UPLOAD YOUR FIGURE WITH THE FIGURE LEGEND FOR Q1 AS A PDF.

Q2: Experimental Model of Gut Motility

Julia is a physiology researcher. She is looking for a physical experiment (with tissue) that she can perform in her lab. Find a primary research paper that uses an experimental model (animal/mammalian or human – in vivo or in vitro), of the migrating myoelectric complex. Please do not use a computer model or virtual lab simulation. DESCRIBE the experimental model in sufficient detail so that Julia can replicate the experiment in her lab. (Note: you do not need to include instructions of how to add the drug to the model). You must cite the research paper and provide the full reference at the bottom of your response. [maximum 250 words; including reference]

ANSWER Q2 IN THE TEXT BOX BELOW

The diagram below comes from the Clarke Cummins paper of 1982 and shows the plasma levels of two hormones in one sheep.  The most significant aspect of the data presented in the paper is that it:  

Thyroid hormone enters target cells in a manner similar to _________________________.

Which of the following is true about Ca⁺⁺ homeostasis?