Foundations of Medical Science

These flashcards cover essential vocabulary terms related to the foundations of medical science and metabolism, aiding in exam preparation.

Metabolism

The sum total of the biochemical reactions that take place in the body.

Catabolism

Energy-releasing (exergonic) decomposition reactions that breaks covalent bonds, produces smaller molecules, and releases useful energy.

Anabolism

Energy-storing (endergonic) synthesis reactions that require energy input for the production of glycogen, protein, or fat.

Glycolysis

The first step in carbohydrate catabolism where one glucose molecule is converted into two pyruvate molecules, generating ATP and NADH.

ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate)

The body's most important energy-transfer molecule; it briefly stores and releases energy for physiological work.

Glycogen

A polymer of glucose used as a means of energy storage in animals.

Fatty Acids

Chains of carbon atoms that can be saturated or unsaturated, used by the body as energy sources.

Oxidation

The loss of electrons from a substance, often involving the gain of oxygen or loss of hydrogen.

Reduction

The gain of electrons from a substance, often involving the loss of oxygen or gain of hydrogen.

Deamination

The removal of an amino group from an amino acid, which enters the urea cycle for excretion.

Citric Acid Cycle (Krebs Cycle)

A series of reactions in aerobic respiration that produce energy through the oxidation of acetyl-CoA.

Electron Transport Chain

A sequence of electron carriers that transfer electrons and pump H+ ions to generate ATP through oxidative phosphorylation.

Glycogenesis

The metabolic pathway that results in the synthesis of glycogen from glucose.

Glucogenesis

The metabolic pathway that results in the generation of glucose from non-carbohydrate carbon substrates.

Lipid Catabolism

The breakdown of lipids (fats) into fatty acids and glycerol for energy production.

Amino Acid Catabolism

The process that transforms carbon skeletons of amino acids into metabolic intermediates for the citric acid cycle or gluconeogenesis.