health sci

• Digestion


  The process of breaking down food physically or chemically into substances the body can use for energy, tissue growth, and repair
• Absorption


  The process of taking nutrients from the digestive system into the blood so they can be used in the body
• Egestion


  The removal of waste food materials from the body
• Peristalsis


  The rhythmic, involuntary wave-like contractions of the smooth muscles of the gastrointestinal tract (the walls of the esophagus)
• Gastrin


  A hormone that stimulates the release of hydrochloric acid and pepsinogen into the stomach, stimulating the release of gastric juice
• Enzyme


  Any chemical produced by cells that causes biochemical reactions in the body, such as those involved in digestion and metabolism; all are proteins
• Saliva


  Watery fluid secreted into the mouth by glands, providing lubrication for chewing and swallowing, and aiding digestion
• E. Coli


  Exists in the large intestine in a mutually beneficial relationship. They produce essential substances such as Vitamin K and some B vitamins, as well as gas
• Mucosa


  The innermost layer of the stomach and is extensively folded. It secretes gastric juice
• Submucosa


  A layer of connective tissue that contains networks of nerves and blood vessels
• Sphincters


  The circular muscle that contracts to close an opening in the body. (ex. the gastroesophageal sphincter, which allows food to enter the stomach)
• Serosa


  The outermost layer of the stomach; holds it in place and secrete a fluid that eliminates friction between organs
• Bolus


  A ball-like mixture of food and saliva that forms in the mouth during the process of chewing
• Chyme


  A semi liquid mixture of food and gastric juice
• Endoscopy


  Any medical procedure that uses an endoscope to look inside the body. An endoscope is a true design to look at the body with a light source, a lens, and a camera to obtain an image
• Villi


  The inner layer of the small intestine that is folded into ridges with finger-like projection, which produces an increase in surface area
• Microvilli


  A microscopic projection of the cell membrane of certain types of epithelial cells; greatly increases the surface area of the cell
• Liver


  The largest internal organ of the body. It is considered a gland because it produces and secretes bile
• Pancreas


  A long, flat gland nestled between the stomach and the duodenum. It secretes enzymes that are critical to digestion, and secretes hormones that are regulators of absorption and storage of glucose
• Amylase


  An enzyme that breaks down complex carbohydrates (ex. starch) through chemical digestion
• Bile


  A substance that emulsifies fats for faster lipase breakdown. It is produced by the liver and stored in the gallbladder
• Pepsin


  A protein digesting enzyme produced in the stomach. It begins to break down proteins into separate amino acids
• Mucus


  A protective secretion produced by the epithelial cells that form the mucus membrane. It acts as a lubricant and aids swallowing
• Pyloric Sphincter


  Controls the passage of food from the stomach into the small intestine. It relaxes to release small portions of chyme into the duodenum
• Trypsin


  A protein digesting enzyme produced from trypsinogen that further breaks down any partially digested proteins
• Lipase


  An enzyme secreted from the pancreas that digests lipids
• Phagocyte


  Cells that chew up invading organisms
• Lymphocytes


  Cells that allow the body to remember and recognize previous invaders and help the body destroy them
• Leukocytes


  Also called white blood cells, comes in two basic types that combine to seek out and destroy disease causing organisms or substances
• Neutrophil


  A type of phagocyte which commonly fights bacteria
• 1. Lymphocytes


  Are like the body's military intelligence system, seeking out their targets and sending defenses to lock onto them. Starts out in the bone marrow and stays there to mature into a B cell
• 1. Lymphocytes


  Are like the soldiers, destroying the invaders that the intelligence system has identified. These lymphocytes leave the bone marrow for the thymus gland, where they mature into T cells
• Antigens


  Foreign substances that invade the body
• Antibodies


  Specialized proteins that lock onto specific antigens
• Complement


  A group of proteins that antibodies activate that assist in killing bacteria, viruses, or infected cells
• Innate Immunity


  A general type of protection that everyone is born with, also known as natural immunity. Germs that affect a certain species do not harm us and vice versa
• Adaptive Immunity


  Develops throughout our lives and as people are exposed to diseases or immunized against diseases through vaccination
• Passive Immunity


  Borrowed from another source and lasts for a long time. (ex. breast milk)
• Immunodeficiency Disorders


  Happens when a part of the immune system is missing or not working properly. People can be born with an immunodeficiency, or it can be acquired through infection or drugs. (ex. SCID and IgA deficiency)
• Autoimmune Disorders


  The immune system mistakenly attacks the body's healthy organs and tissues as though they were foreign invaders (ex. lupus)