ch 18 bio terms

absorption

the transfer of materials from the digestive tract to the bloodsream

bile

a complex fluid that is synthesized by the liver and released into the small intestine

absorption

the transfer of materials from the digestive tract to the bloodsream

bile

a complex fluid that is synthesized by the liver and released into the small intestine

complete protein

a protein that contains all the essential amino acids in approximately the right proportion for building protein

digestive tract

a muscular tube that processes food and has two openings: a mouth and an anus

edema

accumulation of fluids within the interstitial fluid of an animal

essential amino acid

an amino acid that an animal requires but cannot make

essential fatty acid

a fatty acid that an animal requires but cannot make

fiber

polysaccharides that an animal eats but does not digest

malnourishment

condition in which the diet fails to provide enough building materials for the body cells to function optically

mineral

an atom that an animal needs and can use in an inorganic form

monomer

a small molecule that is a building block of polymers

peristalsis

muscular contractions within the digestive track that move food in a single direction

polymer

a large molecule built of one or a few kinds of smaller molecules called monomers

sphincter

the condition in which fewer calories are consumed than used for a prolonged period of time

starvation

the condition in which fewer calories are consumed that used for a prolonged period of time

vitamin

an organic molecule that the cells of an animal cannot synthesize but need in tiny amounts