Nutrition: An Applied Approach - The Gastrointestinal System

These flashcards cover key vocabulary terms related to the gastrointestinal system, digestion, and related disorders based on the lecture notes.

Atoms

The smallest units of matter that bond to form molecules.

Molecules

Groups of atoms bonded in specific configurations, such as water and carbon dioxide.

Digestive Goals

To break large molecules down into smaller ones and absorb them into body cells.

Cell Membrane

The outer layer enclosing each cell, composed of two layers of phospholipids.

Selective Permeability

A property of cell membranes that allows them to control the passage of materials into and out of a cell.

Tissue

A group of cells acting together to perform a common function.

Organ

A sophisticated organization of tissues that performs a specific function.

Appetite

A desire to eat stimulated by various senses like sight and smell.

Hunger

A physiologic drive to eat occurring when the body senses it needs food.

Anorexia

A condition where there is a physiological need for food but no appetite.

Hypothalamus

A brain region that contains nerve cells controlling hunger and satiety.

Chyme

The semisolid product of mechanical and chemical digestion in the stomach.

Gastroesophageal Sphincter

The muscle that separates the esophagus from the stomach.

Peptic Ulcer

Regions of the GI tract eroded by hydrochloric acid and pepsin, often linked to Helicobacter pylori.

Diarrhea

A condition that can be caused by food intolerances and can lead to severe dehydration.

Celiac Disease

An autoimmune disorder characterized by intolerance to gluten, leading to damage in the small intestine.

Gut Microbiome

The community of beneficial bacteria, fungi, and other microbes in the GI tract that support digestion and immunity.

Peristalsis

The muscular contractions that move food through the GI tract.

Absorption

The process by which nutrients from digested food pass through the intestinal wall into the bloodstream or lymph.

Villi

Finger-like projections in the small intestine that increase surface area for absorption.

Insulin

A hormone that helps regulate blood glucose levels and influences hunger.