Biol 230 Final Flashcards
Define: Pancreas
Produces enzymes that break down sugars, fats and starches.
Diabetes can occur if it is not producing enough insulin, or not using it correctly.
Define: Alpha Cells
Endocrine Cells that are in the pancreas.
Secrete glucagon to increase glucose levels in the blood.
Define: Beta Cells
Found in the pancreas.
Cells that make insulin, controlling the levels of glucose in the blood.
Define: Insulin
Facilitates the uptake of glucose into the cells. Lowers glucose levels in the blood.
Define: Glucose
Sugar, C6H12O6. The main fuel of your body, the input to cellular respiration.
Define: Glucagon
A peptide hormone secreted from alpha cells in the pancreas. Stimulates glucose production in the liver.
Define: Glycogen
The stored form of glucose, a polymer of glucose molecules.
Define: Insulin Receptor
A transmembrane receptor that is activated by insulin.
Define: IRS
Insulin Receptor Substrate. **
Define: GLUT4
A glucose transporter attached to a vesicle that allows glucose to enter the cell.
Define: Vesicle
Small pouch, enclosed by a lipid bilayer.
Define: Cell Membrane
The semipermeable membrane surrounding the cytoplasm of a cell.
Define: Set Point
The balanced physiological value for a variable.
Define: Feedback
A response within a system that influences the continued activity or productivity of that system.
Define: Hypoglycemic
Deficiency of glucose in the bloodstream.
Define: Hyperglycemic
An excess of glucose in the bloodstream.
Define: Blood Sugar
The concentration of glucose in the blood.
Define: Cellular Respiration
C6H12O6 + 6O2 => 6CO2 + 6H2O
Define: H20
Water
Define: CO2
Carbon Dioxide
Define: Type 1 Diabetes
An autoimmune disorder resulting the destruction of beta cells and the inability to produce insulin.
Define: Type 2 Diabetes
Insulin resistance.
Define: Insulin Resistance
When the cells in your tissues don’t respond well to insulin.
The inability to properly use blood glucose.
Define: Autoimmune
Relating to a disease cause by antibodies of lymphocytes produced against naturally occurring substances or tissues in the body.
Define: Photosynthesis
6CO2 + 6H2O => C6H12O6 + 6O
Define: Alveoli
Tiny air sacks in the lungs that are surrounded by capillaries and facilitate gas exchange.
Define: Lungs
Organs the facilitate gas exchange, exhausting CO2 and intaking O2.
Define: Capillaries
Small vessels that facilitate exchange between the circulatory system and your cells.
Define: O2
Oxygen molecule.
Define: Hemoglobin
A protein for transporting oxygen.
Define: Glycohemoglobin
Hemoglobin in which glucose is bound. A measure of the long-term control of diabetes mellitus.
Define: Hypoxia
A state defined by the lack of sufficient available oxygen.
Define: Circulation
The movement of blood through vessels of the body.
Define: Carbonic Anhydrase
Catalyzes a bidirectional conversion of CO2 and H2O into HCO3- and protons H+
Define: Carbonic Acid
H2CO3
Define: Bicarbonate Ion
HCO3-
The ‘carried’ version on CO2
Define: Hydrogen Ion (H+)
The nucleus of a hydrogen atom separated from its accompanying electron.
Has a positive charge. ‘Wants’ to form a bond with an element that can ‘Share’ and electron.
Define: pH
The measure of the concentration of hydrogen ions in a solution.
Define: Acidic
A solution with a pH value of BELOW 7.
Define: Basic
A solution with a pH value of ABOVE 7.
Define: Respiratory Centers
Located in the medulla oblongata, involved in the minute-to-minute control of breathing.
Define: pH Sensors
Define: Homeostasis
A tendency towards an equilibrium between interdependent elements.
Eg. Levels of glucose, oxygen, or carbon dioxide in the blood. Body temperature, ect.
Define: Nitrogen
A chemical element denoted by the letter ‘N’
Define: Concentration Gradient
Difference in concentration of a substance from one point to another.
Define: Polar Molecule
Molecules that have regions of positive and negative charge.
Eg. A water molecule.
Define: Non-Polar Molecule
Molecules that do NOT have any electrical or partial charges.
Define: Polymer
Large molecules, composed of smaller, simpler chemical units called monomers.
Define: Monomer
A subunit of a polymer. Having the ability to be bonded molecularly to other identical molecules.
Define: Hydrophobic
Having the tendency to repel, or fail to be mixed into water.
Define: Hydrophilic
Having the tendency to dissolve, or be wetted by water.
