CMA - CH 21 Key Terms Flashcards
amino acid
basic structural unit of protein
antioxidant
something that prevents oxidation
ascorbic acid
Vitamin C
basal metabolic rate (BMR)
Level of energy that is required when the body is at rest.
beriberi
disease caused by a deficiency in vitamin B / thiamin; characterized by headaches, depression, anorexia, constipation, tachycardia, edema, and heart failure.
chachectic
describes a state of ill health, malnutrition, and wasting.
calories
unit of heat. The large calorie is used in discussion of human nutrition. The large calorie is also expressed as the kilogram calorie (kcal), equal to 1,000 small calories.
carotene
Vitamin A
cellulose
type of indigestible fiber made of carbs found in plants
cheilosis
caused by a deficiency of Vitamin B2 (riboflain) and characterized by sores on the lips and cracks in the corners of the mouth.
cholecalciferol
Vitamin D
cobalamin
Vitamin B12
coenzyme
Substance that enhances a catalyst.
digestion
Breaking down of food into smaller particles. Physical and chemical.
diuretics
Substance that causes less water to be reabsorbed into the kidney and therefore causes water to be excreted from the body.
electrochemical gradient
formation of electrical signals that allow information to flow through the nervous system.
electrolytes
substance that conducts electricity whose components are important in maintaining fluid and acid-base balance. Some minerals are electrolytes in that they become ionized and carry a positive or negative charge.
extracellular
pertaining to the environment outside of a body cell.
fat-soluble vitamin
pertaining to substances that are hydrophobic and therefore dissolve better in fat.
folic acid
One of the B complex vitamins.