Principles of Medical Biology Lec. 4: Medical Biology in Cellular Metabolism

Flashcards covering key vocabulary terms related to medical biology and cellular metabolism.

Metabolism

The sum of the chemical reactions that take place within each cell of a living organism and that provide energy for vital processes and for synthesizing new organic material.

Metabolism

A general term used to describe all of the chemical reactions occurring in the body, emphasizing more on metabolic rate and its effect on a healthy diet.

Catabolism

The breakdown of complex molecules into simpler ones, releasing energy.

Anabolism

The synthesis of complex molecules from simpler ones, requiring energy.

Cellular Respiration

The final step in the breakdown of food to produce energy.

Glucose

Energy-rich compound that, when digested, produces carbon dioxide and water.

Photosynthesis

The process where energy from the sun is used to drive the synthesis of glucose from carbon dioxide and water.

Glycolysis

The breakdown of glucose into two, 3-carbon pyruvate molecules, occurring in the cytoplasm and not requiring oxygen.

Aerobic Respiration

Occurring in the matrix of the mitochondria, this process converts the energy stored in pyruvate bonds into ATP, requires oxygen.

Deamination

The removal of the nitrogen-containing amino group from an amino acid.

Urea

A compound that amino groups are converted to, then excreted in urine.

Insulin

A major anabolic hormone, secreted in response to a carbohydrate- and/or protein-containing meal.

Diabetes

A disorder of carbohydrate metabolism characterized by the impaired ability of the body to produce or respond to insulin.

Insulin

Hormone secreted by beta cells in the pancreas that triggers cells to take up glucose.

Lipogenesis

The synthesis of triglycerides from glucose in adipose tissue and the liver, stimulated by insulin.

Lipolysis

The breakdown of triglycerides in adipose tissue, decreased by insulin.

Ketoacidosis

A metabolic state resulting from increased ketosis due to insulin deficiency.

Metabolic Flexibility

The ability of the body to efficiently switch between different fuel sources depending on availability and demand.

Osteoporosis

A loss of bone mass with fractures, due to age-related changes and other factors.

Rickets and Osteomalacia

Abnormal mineralization of bone and cartilage.

Warburg Effect

The increased consumption of glucose and production of lactic acid by cancer cells, even under aerobic conditions.