Biochemistry and Physiology Fundamentals

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering cell biology, chemical bonds, nutrients, phytochemicals, and human physiological systems based on the lecture material.

Phytochemicals

Thousands of plant-based chemical compounds found in whole fruits and vegetables that provide health benefits alongside vitamins and minerals.

Quercetin

A specific phytochemical nutrient isolated from onions that is not very bioavailable when taken as a pill compared to consuming whole onions.

Anthocyanins

A class of colorful phytochemicals found in tart cherries that give them a bright color and help reduce oxidative stress.

Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT)

A rigorous study design used to test interventions, such as evaluating marathon runners consuming tart cherry juice to measure faster recovery times.

Chloroplasts

Plant cell organelles where photosynthesis takes place, utilizing carbon dioxide, water, and light energy to produce oxygen and glucose.

Mitochondria

The powerhouses of the cell that consume glucose and oxygen to generate energy, operating as the physiological counterpart to plant chloroplasts.

Hemoglobin

An iron-containing protein located inside red blood cells that binds and transports oxygen from the lungs throughout the body.

Capillaries

The smallest units of blood vessels, featuring a thin membrane and mesh that allows gases, nutrients, and waste products to diffuse to and from tissues.

Extracellular matrix

A gelatinous structural network, typically composed of fibrotic collagen, that surrounds cells, holds them in position, and mediates cell-to-cell communication.

Fibrosis

An inflammatory condition characterized by excess scarring of the matrix, which impairs cellular communication and tissue function, such as in liver disease.

Epigenetics

The process by which environmental factors modify whether genomic DNA is open or closed for mRNA transcription without altering the underlying base DNA code.

Atom

The basic building block of life and matter, composed of a central core of protons and neutrons surrounded by orbiting electrons.

Ionic bond

A type of chemical bond involving the exchange and electrostatic attraction of charged ions, which easily dissolves and dissociates in water.

Covalent bond

A strong chemical bond formed when atoms share pairs of electrons, prevalent in high-energy caloric molecules such as carbohydrates, proteins, and fats.

Hydrogen bond

An electrostatic interaction between molecules, such as between water molecules, that creates surface tension and stabilizes three-dimensional protein structures.

Lymphatic system

A network of vessels and nodes that collects lymph, removes cellular waste, aids immune defense, and plays a crucial role in absorbing dietary lipids from the gut.

Hypothalamus

The primary region of the brain responsible for integrating peripheral hunger and appetite signals to regulate nutritional status.

Insulin

An endocrine hormone secreted by the pancreas in response to food ingestion that aids in the storage of energy.