Urinary and Digestive Systems & Protein Production Study Guide

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards based on lecture notes covering digestive enzymes, intestinal anatomy, biotechnological processes like transformation and SDS-PAGE, and urinary system functions.

Lipase

An enzyme produced by the pancreas that breaks down fats.

Protease

An enzyme produced by the pancreas that breaks down protein.

Amylase

An enzyme produced by the pancreas or salivary glands that breaks down carbohydrates.

Duodenum

The first section of the small intestine where digestion resumes and mixers with bile and pancreatic juice.

Jejunum

The middle section of the small intestine and the primary site of nutrient absorption.

Ileum

The final section of the small intestine that absorbs remaining nutrients.

Sphincter of Oddi

The location in the duodenum where both bile and pancreatic enzymes enter the small intestine.

Cecum

The section of the large intestine that receives material from the small intestine.

Colon

Consists of ascending, transverse, descending, and sigmoid sections; absorbs water, electrolytes, and houses the microbiome.

Rectum

The final section of the large intestine that stores feces before defecation.

J-tube

A feeding tube inserted directly into the jejunum.

G-tube

A feeding tube inserted directly into the stomach.

Ostomy

Surgery to create a stoma in the abdominal wall for waste removal.

Endoscopy

The use of a camera to view the upper GI tract.

Colonoscopy

The use of a camera to view the entire colon.

Biopsy

Removing a small piece of tissue for laboratory analysis.

Gut microbiome

The collective population of microorganisms (bacteria, fungi, viruses) living in the intestine that are essential for digestion and immunity.

Colon Polyp

A small clump of cells that form on the lining of the colon; most are benign but some can become cancer.

Celiac disease

An immune reaction to eating gluten that damages the small intestine.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)

A digestive disease where stomach acid flows back into the esophagus.

Peptic ulcers

Open sores that develop on the inner lining of the stomach or small intestine.

Crohn's disease

A type of inflammatory bowel disease that causes chronic inflammation of the digestive tract.

Whipple's disease

A rare bacterial infection that impairs nutrient absorption by affecting the gastrointestinal system.

DNA Degradation

A failure in transformation where enzymes cut or destroy foreign DNA before it is integrated.

Cell Lysis

The process of breaking down bacterial cells to release proteins during purification.

Molecular-sieve (size-exclusion) chromatography

A method to separate proteins based on their molecular weight or size rather than chemical interactions.

SDS-PAGE

A protein gel electrophoresis technique where SDS detergent unfolds (denatures) proteins and makes them negatively charged.

Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR)

The rate of blood filtration, measured in this patient as $100\,mL/min$, which equals $144\,L/day$.

Restriction enzymes

Molecular scissors found naturally in bacteria used to cut DNA at specific short sequences.

Ketoacidosis

A condition revealed through urinalysis by the presence of ketone bodies, indicating the body is breaking down fat for fuel.

Diabetes Insipidus

A disorder indicated by low urine specific gravity.

Transitional epithelium

The type of tissue the bladder is composed of which allows for elasticity and expansion.

Renal Artery

Carries oxygenated, unfiltered blood containing high levels of waste and excess water into the kidney.

Renal Vein

Carries deoxygenated, filtered, and cleaned blood away from the kidney.

Xenotransplantation

The process of transplanting organs, tissues, or cells from one species to another.

AmpR

A gene on a plasmid that produces beta-lactamase to break down ampicillin, acting as a selectable marker.

IPTG

A chemical used on agar plates to induce the expression of genes under the control of the $T7$ promoter.

Dehydration Synthesis

The process of joining monomers to form polymers by removing water.

Hydrolysis

The process of breaking down polymers into monomers by adding water.

Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH)

A hormone made in the pituitary gland that opens the doors of collecting ducts to allow the reabsorption of more water.