Background & Overview
Your gastrointestinal system is comprised of a long tube in which exposures from the outside world (i.e. food) are processed to nourish the body. To effectively do so, we rely on a series of enzymes, hormones, gradients, and properties of smooth muscle in the processes of digestion and absorption.

Attached to your prompts are several key topics that must be included in your videos. Your textbook is informative but light on these subjects so you’ll also find a list of resources that provide all of the information necessary to successfully generate your videos. You may draw from additional resources as well. Please cite these in APA format following the example at the bottom of this page.

Prompt: Choose one of the following

1) Smooth Muscle
The GI tract is lined with it – and it’s used to keep food moving along. In this video, describe:

– The layering of smooth muscle to along the esophagus, stomach, and intestines.
– Factors that initiate contraction such as autonomic innervation (via varicosities), hormonal, and mechanical stimulation; using examples such as gastric emptying, peristalsis, and vomiting.
– Initiation of smooth muscle contraction by calcium influx
– Does the use of calcium channel blockers for hypertension management increase the risk of gastrointestinal issues?

Resources
Textbook readings: 11.7b, and throughout Chapter 25

2) Pathway of Carbohydrate Digestion and Absorption
Imagine eating a beignet. Or, don’t just imagine it.. What happens to complex carbohydrates in the flour? How about the simple carbohydrates of the powdered sugar? In this prompt, trace these nutrients through the GI tract, from the beignet to absorption. Describe: