Bio test 6.1-6.3

Absorption

The process where tiny food molecules pass through the small intestine into the blood or lymph to be used by the body.

Amino Acid

The smallest building block of proteins. Proteins are broken down into amino acids so the body can use them to build new proteins.

Bile

A yellow-green liquid made by the liver that breaks large fat droplets into smaller ones, making it easier for lipase to digest them.

Capillary

The smallest type of blood vessel, which allows nutrients and oxygen to move into body cells and wastes to move out.

Chyme

A thick, soupy liquid made of partially digested food and stomach acid, which moves from the stomach to the small intestine.

Digestive Enzyme

A type of enzyme that cuts large food molecules into smaller pieces so the body can absorb them. Example: Lipase breaks fats into glycerol and fatty acids.

Disaccharide

A sugar made of two linked simple sugars. Example: Lactose is a disaccharide made of glucose and galactose.

Emulsification

The process where bile breaks fat droplets into smaller ones, making digestion easier.

Epithelium

A thin layer of cells that covers the inside of organs, such as the small intestine, helping with absorption.

Fatty Acid

A building block of fats that can be absorbed into the bloodstream and used for energy.

Glycerol

A part of fats that, along with fatty acids, is absorbed and used for energy.

Lacteal

A tiny lymph vessel inside a villus that absorbs fats (fatty acids and glycerol) and carries them into the lymphatic system.

Lipase

A digestive enzyme that breaks down fats into glycerol and fatty acids.

Microvilli

Tiny projections on villi that increase the surface area for absorbing nutrients.

Monosaccharide

The smallest type of sugar that can be absorbed. Example: Glucose is a monosaccharide that provides energy.

Peristalsis

A wave-like squeezing movement made by muscles in the digestive tract to push food forward.

Polypeptide

A chain of amino acids that is cut into smaller pieces by enzymes like proteases.

Protease

A type of enzyme that breaks down proteins into smaller polypeptides and amino acids. Example: Pepsin cuts proteins into polypeptides in the stomach.

Villus (plural: Villi)

A finger-like structure in the small intestine that absorbs nutrients into the bloodstream.

Adrenaline (Epinephrine)

A hormone released by the adrenal glands that tells the heart to beat faster during stress or excitement.

Aorta

The largest artery in the body, which carries oxygen-rich blood away from the heart to the rest of the body.

Atherosclerosis

A disease where fat builds up inside arteries, blocking blood flow and increasing heart disease risk.

Atrioventricular Node (AV Node)

A small group of heart cells that receives the signal from the SA node and delays it so the atria can finish contracting before the ventricles pump.

Atrium (plural: Atria)

The top two chambers of the heart that collect blood before it moves into the ventricles.

Blood Clot (Thrombus)

A solid mass of blood cells and proteins that can block blood flow in arteries and veins.

Coronary Arteries

The arteries that supply the heart muscle with oxygen and nutrients.

Coronary Thrombosis

A blood clot in the coronary arteries, which blocks blood flow to the heart and can cause a heart attack.

Lumen

The hollow space inside a blood vessel where blood flows.

Myocardial Infarction

The medical term for a heart attack, caused when blood flow to the heart is blocked.

Myogenic

A property of the heart that means it can beat on its own, without needing a signal from the brain.

Pacemaker

A group of heart cells (SA Node) that sends electrical signals to make the heart beat.

Sinoatrial Node (SA Node)

The natural pacemaker of the heart, which starts the heartbeat and sets the rhythm.

Stroke

A condition where blood supply to the brain is blocked, often caused by a clot or a broken blood vessel.

Valve

A flap in the heart or veins that prevents blood from flowing backward.

Ventricle

The bottom two chambers of the heart that pump blood out to the lungs and body.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS)

A disease where the immune system is too weak to fight infections, caused by HIV.

Antibiotic

A medicine that kills bacteria by stopping their growth or breaking their cell walls.

Antibiotic Resistance

When bacteria develop ways to survive antibiotics, making infections harder to treat.

Antibody

A Y-shaped protein made by white blood cells that attaches to pathogens to help destroy them.

Bacteria

Single-celled microorganisms that can cause infections but can be killed by antibiotics.

Helper T Cell

A type of white blood cell that activates the immune system to fight infections. HIV destroys helper T cells, making it harder to fight disease.

HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus)

A virus that attacks helper T cells, weakening the immune system and leading to AIDS.

Immune System

The body's defense system that fights infections and destroys harmful microbes.

Lymphocyte

A type of white blood cell that makes antibodies to attack pathogens.

Pathogen

Any microorganism that invades the body and causes disease (e.g., bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites).

Phagocyte

A type of white blood cell that engulfs and digests pathogens.

Plasma Cell

A type of white blood cell that makes antibodies to fight infections.

Retrovirus

A type of virus (like HIV) that inserts its genetic material into the DNA of host cells, making it harder to cure.

Virus

A tiny infectious agent that invades host cells and forces them to make more viruses. Unlike bacteria, viruses cannot be killed by antibiotics.