Lecture on Human Metabolism

Flashcards covering key terms and concepts related to human metabolism, metabolic rates, and temperature regulation.

Metabolism

The sum of all biochemical reactions that occur in the body, involving nutrients.

Anabolism

The metabolic process that involves synthesizing larger molecules from smaller ones, requiring energy.

Catabolism

The metabolic process that breaks down larger molecules into smaller ones, releasing energy.

Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR)

The amount of energy required by the body at rest to maintain essential physiological functions.

Total Metabolic Rate

The total amount of kilocalories consumed to fuel all bodily activities including exercise and physical activity.

Cellular respiration

The process by which cells generate energy through the catabolism of food fuels to form ATP.

Thyroxine (T4)

A hormone produced by the thyroid gland that regulates metabolism and influences basal metabolic rate.

Hypothalamus

The brain region that regulates body temperature and coordinates thermoregulation in response to temperature changes.

Hypothermia

A medical condition occurring when body temperature falls below 35 degrees Celsius.

Hyperthermia

A condition of elevated body temperature that can lead to heat stroke if it exceeds 41 degrees Celsius.

Fever

A controlled increase in body temperature, often as an immune response to infection or injury.

Vasodilation

The widening of blood vessels to increase blood flow and heat loss from the body.

Vasoconstriction

The narrowing of blood vessels to decrease blood flow and conserve body heat.

Kilocalories

A unit of energy used to measure metabolic rates and energy expenditure.

Enzyme activity

The rate at which an enzyme catalyzes a reaction, which is affected by temperature.

Denaturation

The process by which proteins lose their structure and functionality due to high temperatures.