Untitled Flashcards Set

Nutrients

Chemical substances obtained from food, used by the body to maintain different processes.

Macromolecules

Three major nutrients which include proteins, lipids (fats), and carbohydrates.

Carbohydrates

The most abundant organic substance in nature, such as sugars and starches, which provide materials for building cell membranes and energy for cells.

Glucose

The usual form of stored carbohydrates, primarily stored in skeletal muscles and liver as glycogen.

ATP

Adenosine triphosphate; a common energy molecule that captures chemical energy from the breakdown of food and is used to fuel cellular processes.

Anaerobic

A metabolic pathway that occurs without oxygen, predominantly utilized by fast-twitch muscles.

Aerobic

A metabolic process that utilizes oxygen, involved in the complete breakdown of glucose and primarily engages slow-twitch muscles.

Glycolysis

The first sequence of reactions in glucose metabolism, producing 2 ATP and 2 pyruvate from glucose.

Cellular respiration

An aerobic process involving the breakdown of glucose with oxygen to produce carbon dioxide, water, and ATP.

Slow twitch muscle fibres

Muscle fibres that generate and relax tension slowly, able to sustain activities like swimming and cycling for longer periods.

Fast twitch muscle fibres

Muscle fibres that generate tension quickly and are ideal for powerful, explosive activities but have low endurance.

Motor unit

A motor neuron and all the muscle fibres it stimulates, responsible for muscle contraction.

Neuromuscular junction

The point where nerve cells connect with muscle fibres, facilitating contraction.

Sliding filament theory

The mechanism that explains muscle contraction through the interaction of actin and myosin filaments.

Stretch reflex

A simple spinal reflex, involving muscle spindles that respond to stretching of muscles.

Proprioception

The body's ability to sense its position, orientation, and movement, facilitated by specialized receptors in muscles, tendons, and joints.

Reciprocal inhibition

A process where the contraction of one muscle (agonist) is accompanied by a relaxation of the opposing muscle (antagonist) to facilitate movement.

Lactic acid buildup

Occurs during anaerobic metabolism when oxygen is limited, leading to muscle fatigue.

Golgi tendon organs

Receptors located at the ends of tendons that detect tension and protect muscles from excessive force.

Motor neuron

A type of neuron that transmits impulses from the brain or spinal cord to a muscle or gland.

ATP-PC system

The anaerobic alactic pathway that provides immediate energy by breaking down phosphocreatine for quick, intense activities.