Digestion

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts related to the digestive system and metabolism as outlined in the lecture notes.

Homeostasis

The maintenance of a stable internal environment in the body despite changes in external conditions.

Digestion

The chemical and mechanical breakdown of food into absorbable units.

Absorption

The process by which nutrient molecules pass through the wall of the digestive tract into the blood.

Motility

The movement of material through the gastrointestinal (GI) tract due to muscle contractions.

Secretion

The process of producing and releasing substances such as enzymes, hormones, and lubricants into the digestive tract.

Rugae

Folds in the stomach that increase surface area and allow the stomach to expand.

Villi

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

Peristalsis

Wavelike muscle contractions that move food along the digestive tract.

Motilin

A hormone that stimulates gastrointestinal motility.

Gastrin

A hormone that stimulates gastric acid secretion and gastric motility.

Cholecystokinin (CCK)

A hormone that stimulates the gallbladder to release bile and the pancreas to secrete digestive enzymes.

Secretin

A hormone that stimulates the secretion of bicarbonate from the pancreas to neutralize stomach acid.

Gluconeogenesis

The metabolic process of generating glucose from non-carbohydrate substrates.

Insulin

A hormone produced by the pancreas that lowers blood glucose levels.

Glucagon

A hormone produced by the pancreas that raises blood glucose levels.

Diabetes Mellitus

A metabolic disease characterized by high blood sugar, either due to insufficient insulin or the body's cells not responding to insulin properly.

Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR)

The rate of energy expenditure per unit time by endothermic animals at rest.

Leptin

A hormone produced by adipose (fat) tissue that helps to regulate energy balance by inhibiting hunger.

Ghrelin

A hormone that stimulates appetite and is often referred to as the 'hunger hormone.'

Satiety

The feeling of fullness and satisfaction after eating.

Celiac Disease

An autoimmune disorder where the ingestion of gluten leads to damage in the small intestine.