Vocabulary Flashcards
Diffusion
Diffusion is the net movement of particles from a region of higher concentration to a region of lower concentration (down a concentration gradient).
Osmosis
Osmosis is the net movement of water molecules from a region of higher water potential (dilute solution) to a region of lower water potential (concentrated solution), through a partially permeable membrane.
Water potential
The ability of water molecules to flow freely inside a given environment or system can also be measured using water potential.
Hypertonic vs Hypotonic
A hypertonic solution has a higher concentration of solute than another solution, meaning water will flow into it. A hypotonic solution has a lower concentration of solute than another solution, meaning water will flow out of it.
Active transport
Movement of particles across a cell membrane against a concentration gradient using the energy from respiration. Movement comes in the forms of pumps to move the particles the wrong way.
5 biomolecules
Carbohydrates, Lipids, Nucleic acids, Proteins, and Water
Enzymes
Enzymes are proteins that act as biological catalysts by accelerating chemical reactions.
Active site
The active site of an enzyme is the part of the enzyme where substrate molecules bind and a chemical reaction takes place.
Substrate
The molecules upon which enzymes may act are
called substrates, and the enzyme converts the substrates into different molecules known as products.
Products
Enzymes modify the bound substrate, converting it to a different molecule — the product of the reaction.
Anabolism
Set of metabolic pathways that synthesizes larger molecules from smaller ones. Energy is taken in.
Catabolism
Set of metabolic pathways that synthesizes smaller molecules from larger ones. Energy is given out.
Macronutrients
Carbohydrates, Proteins, Lipids, and Water
Micronutrients
Vitamins and minerals
Calories
The energy in food is measured by a unit called a calorie.
Malnutrition
Malnutrition refers to deficiencies, excesses or imbalances in a person’s intake of energy and/or nutrients. The term malnutrition addresses 3 broad groups of conditions: undernutrition, micro-nutrient related malnutrition, overweight/obesity.
The 5 steps of digestion
Ingestion, Digestion, Absorption, Assimilation, Egestion
Ingestion
Taking in substances (e.g. Food, drink) into the body through the mouth.
Digestion
The break down of large, insoluble food molecules into small, water-soluble molecules using mechanical and chemical processes.
Absorption
The uptake and use of digested food in the body which occurs mostly in the liver.
Assimilation
Taking in soluble, small molecules into the circulatory system through the walls of the small intestine by the villi.
Egestion
The passing out of food that has not been digested, as faeces, through the anus.
4 types of teeth
Incisors (8), Canines (4), Premolars (8), Molars (12). Each have different jobs.
Incisors
Incisors (8): cutting and biting off pieces of food
Canines
Canines (4): hold and tear at food
Premolars
Premolars (8): crushing and grinding soft food
molars
Molars (12): chewing and grinding food.
mouth
Food is chewed up by teeth here and swallowed
teeth
masticate food
salivary glands
Produces saliva. Saliva contains the enzyme salivary amylase.
oesophagus
The tube that connects the mouth to the stomach.
pancreas
This organ produces amylase, lipase, and trypsin (a protease) enzymes releases them into the duodenum.
liver
The liver produces bile. Bile is used to break down large fat gobules into smaller droplets.
gallbladder
The gallbladder stores bile, a thick liquid that’s produced by the liver to help us digest fat.
stomach
The stomach contains the enzymes pepsin ( a protease) and also hydrochloric acid to kill bacteria.
small intestine (duodenum, ileum, jejunum)
This is where absorption of food molecules into the bloodstream takes place.
large intestine
Water from the waste food is absorbed here.
appendix
No use in humans except to hurt when it bursts.
rectum
Where the faeces is stored.
anus
Faeces leaves the body here.
Nutrition
Nutrition is the taking in of nutrients which are organic substances and mineral ions, then absorbing and assimilatiing them.
