Definitions Flashcards
Anabolism
Building things up
= the synthesis of complex molecules in living organisms from simpler ones together with the storage of energy; constructive metabolism
Catabolism
Breaking things down
= the breakdown of complex molecules in living organisms to form simpler ones, together with the release of energy; destructive metabolism
Metabolism
= the chemical processes that occur within living organisms in order to maintain life
Hypoxia
= lack of oxygen in the tissues
Aerobic respiration
= a chemical reaction that transfers energy to cells
- the waste products of aerobic respiration are carbon dioxide and water
Gluconeogenesis
= metabolic pathway that results in the generation of glucose from certain non-carbohydrate carbon substrates
Glycolysis
= the breakdown of glucose by enzymes, releasing energy and pyruvic acid
enzyme
= a substance produced by a living organism which acts as a catalyst to bring about a specific biochemical reaction.
Transporter
= are specialised membrane spanning proteins that assist in the movement of ions, peptides, small molecules, lipids and macromolecules across a biological membrane
Substrate
= the substance on which an enzyme acts
Mutation
= the changing of the structure of a gene, resulting in a variant from that may be transmitted to subsequent generations, caused by the alteration of single base units in DNA, or the deletion, insertion or rearrangements of larger sections of genes or chromosomes
Malabsorption
= imperfect absorption of food material by the small intestine
Maldigestion
= imperfect or impaired digestion
Malnutrition
= lack of proper nutrition caused by not having enough to eat, not eating enough of the right thinks or being unable to use the food that one does eat
Hypoxaemia
= an abnormally low concentration of oxygen in the blood
Hypercapnia
= a buildup of carbon in the blood stream
Hypoventilation
= breathing at an abnormally slow rate, resulting in an increase amount of CO2 in the blood
Hyperventilation
= a condition where you start to breathe really fast
- causing a rapid reduction of CO2 in the body
- narrowing of the blood vessels that supply the brain
Haemoptysis
= coughing up blood
Cyanosis
= bluish discolouration of the skin due to poor circulation or inadequate oxygen of the blood
Acute respiratory failure
= occurs when fluid builds up in the air sacs in the lungs
meaning the lungs cant release oxygen into the blood
Atelectasis
= partial collapse or incomplete inflation of the lung
Bronchiectasis
= abnormal widening of the bronchi or their branches, causing a risk of infection
pneumothorax
= the presence of air gas in the cavity between the lungs and chest wall, causing a collapse of the lungs
Pleural effusion
= a buildup of fluid between the tissues that line the lungs and the chest
Emphysema
= pus gathers in the area between the lungs and the inner surface of the wall (pleural space)
Dyspnoea
= difficult or laboured breathing
Anaemia
= a condition in which there is a deficiency of red cells or of haemoglobin in the blood resulting in pallor and weariness
Aneurysm
= an excessive localised swelling of the wall of an artery
Arrhythmia
= a condition in which the heart beats with an irregular or abnormal rhythm
Atherosclerosis
= a disease of the arteries characterised by the deposition of fatty material on their inner walls
Brady cardia
= abnormally slow heart action
distole
= the phase of the heart beat when the heart muscle relaxes and allows the chambers to fill with blood
cardiomyopathy
= chronic disease of the heart muscle
hypertension
= abnormally high blood pressure
Ischaemia
= an inadequate blood supply to an organ or part of the body, especially the heart muscle
Regurgitation
= the action of bringing swallowed food up again into the mouth
Stenosis
= the abnormal narrowing of a passage in the body
Syncope
= temporary loss of consciousness caused by a fall in blood pressure
Tachycardia
= abnormally fast heart action
Angina
= the condition marked as severe pain in the chest, often also spreading to the shoulders, arms and neck, owing to an inadequate blood supply to the heart
Macrocytic (megaloblastic) anaemia
= anaemia that results from inhibition of DNA synthesis during red blood cell production
Microcytic-hypochromic anaemia:
= Type of anaemia in which the circulating RBCs are smaller than the usual size of RBC and have decreased red colour
Iron deficiency anaemia
= too few healthy red blood cells due to little iron in the body
- without enough iron RBC cant carry enough oxygen to body tissues
Normocytic-normochromic anaemia
= form of anaemia in which the average size of the haemoglobin content of the RBC are within normal limits
Haemolytic disease of the new-born
= blood problem in newborn babies
- occurs when babies RBC break down at a fast rate
Polycythaemia
= an abnormally increase concentration of haemoglobin in the blood, either through reduction of plasma volume or increase in red cells numbers
Thrombocytopenia
= a condition in which you have a low platelet count
- platelets help blood clot
Hyper coagulability
= the tendency to have thrombosis as a result of certain inherited and or acquired molecular defects
Leucocytosis
= an increase in the number of White blood cells in the blood, especially during an infection
Granulocytosis
= the presence of an increased number of grnanlocytes in the peripheral blood
Eosinophilia
= a condition of having increased number of eosinophils in the peripheral blood
- white blood cells are essential component of the cellular immune system
Basophilia
= a condition of having greater than 200 basophils in the venous blood
monocytosis
= increase in the number of monocytes circulating in the blood
Altered level of consciousness
= is any measure of arousal other than normal
aphasia
= is an impairment of language, affecting the production or comprehension of speech and the ability to read and write
Apraxia
= a neurological disorder characterised by the inability to perform learned movements on command
Ataxia
= is a degenerative disease of the nervous system
Concussion
= a mild traumatic brain injury
- it can occur after an impact to your head or after a whiplash type injury that causes the head and brain to shake quickly back and forth
- results in an altered mental state
contusion
= a region of injured tissues or skin in which blood capillaries have been ruptured: a bruise
Dyskinesia
= abnormality or impairment of voluntary movement
Dysphagia
= difficult in swallowing
Hemiparesis
= a weakness of one entire side of the body
Hemiplegia
= paralysis of one side of the body
Intracranial pressure (ICP)
= is the pressure exerted by fluids such as cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) inside the skull and on the brain tissue
Neuropathy
= is when nerve damage leads to pain, weakness, numbers or tingling in one or more parts of the body
Paraplegia
= impairment in motor or sensory function of the lower extremities
Paraesthesia
= an abnormal sensation typically tingling or pricking caused chiefly by pressure on or damage to peripheral nerves
Acromegaly
= abnormal growth of the hands, feet and face caused by overproduction of growth hormone by the pituitary gland.
Goiter
= abnormal enlargement of the butterfly-shape gland below thee Adams apply (thyroid)
hyperglycaemia
= an excess of glucose in the bloodstream, often associated with diabetes mellitus
Hypoglycaemia
= deficiency of glucose in the bloodstream
Hormone
= chemical substances that act like messenger molecules in the body
Menopause
= the ceasing of menstrutation
obesity
= the state of being grossly fat or overweight
Thyroiditis
= inflammation of the thyroid, the butterfly shaped gland in the neck
amenorrhae
= the absence of monthly menstrual periods
Gland
= an organ in the human body which secretes particular chemical substances forr use in the body or for discharge into the surroundings
Metabolic syndrrome
= a cluster of conditions that increase the risk of heat disease, stroke and diabetes
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
= a hormonal disorder causing enlarged ovaries with small cysts on the outer edge
Hirsutism
= unwanted male pattern hair growth on a woman’s face, chest and back
Gynaecomastic
= swollen male breast tissue caused by a hormone imbalance
- reduced male hormones (testosterone) or increased female hormones (oestrogen)
Cystitis
= infection in any part of the urinary system, the kidneys, bladder or urethra
Hydronephrosis
= swelling of the kidney due to backup of urine
Hydroureter
= dilation of the ureter and is most often caused by obstruction of urine outflow due to blockage of the ureter by calculi, chronic inflammation, luminal or intramural neoplastic or accidental ligation during surgery
polycystic kidney disease
= an inherited disorder in which clusters of cysts develop primarily within your kidneys, causing your kidneys to enlarge and lose function over time
Renal agenesis
= a condition in which a new born is missing one or both kidneys
vesicoureteral reflex
= is when the flow of urine goes the wrong way
oliguria
= reduced urination
Obesity
= the state of being grossly fat or overweight
Metabolic syndrome
= a cluster of biochemical and physiological abnormalities associated with the development of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes
Gastric Bypass
= surgery that helps you lose weight by changing how your stomach and small intestine handle the food you ear
Gastric Sleeve
= permanently removing a large portion of your stomach
- capacity of stomach is reduced meaning it can only hold a small portion of food
BMI
= body mass index is in persons weight in kilograms divided by the square of the body height
ideal weight
= optimal weight associated with maximum life expectancy for the given height
Adipose tissue
= commonly known as body fat
- found all over the body and found under skin, packed around internal organs, between muscle, within bone marrow and in breast tissue
