Human Digestion, Cell Transport, and GMOs Review

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering cell transport mechanisms, digestive anatomy and physiology, metabolic regulation, and biotechnology principles.

Active transport

A cellular transport process that moves substances from low to high concentration against a gradient, requiring added energy in the form of ATP and a carrier protein.

Exocytosis

The cellular transport process of exporting large materials out of the cell using vesicles.

Ultra-processed food

Any food product consisting of more than $3$ ingredients.

Frying

A cooking method that adds oils or fats to food, thereby increasing its overall caloric content.

Salivary amylase

An enzyme present in the mouth that initiates the chemical digestion of starch.

USDA Organic

A regulatory certification and seal that serves as a definitive indicator that an agricultural product is genuinely organic.

Positive mutation

A genetic change that leads to new enzyme production, increases reaction rates to support complex life, enables organisms to function efficiently across environments, and accumulates over time.

Small intestine

The organ of the digestive tract where approximately $80\%$ of digestion takes place and where the majority of nutrient absorption occurs.

Cholesterol

A nutrient lipid that is absorbed into digestive cells directly without requiring prior chemical digestion.

Simple diffusion

A passive movement mechanism that allows small or nonpolar molecules, such as oxygen and fatty acids, to pass across the cell membrane without cellular energy.

GLUT protein

A specialized carrier protein that facilitates the passive entry of glucose into cells via facilitated diffusion.

Hypotonic solution

A solution of lower solute concentration relative to the cell interior, causing the cell to take in water, swell, and possibly burst.

Villi and microvilli

Microscopic projections lining the interior surface of the small intestine that increase surface area for efficient nutrient absorption.

Cell membrane

A dynamic cellular structure composed of a phospholipid bilayer, cholesterol, proteins, glycolipids, and glycoproteins.

"Made with Organic ___"

A labeling category designating products that contain at least $70\%$ organic ingredients, under which displaying the official USDA organic seal is prohibited.

Non-GMO Project Verified

A certification indicating that a food item was systematically verified for GMO avoidance, though it is not necessarily certified organic.

Osmosis

The passive diffusion of water across a semipermeable membrane from an area of higher water concentration to an area of lower water concentration.

Aquaporins

Specialized channel proteins embedded in cell membranes that facilitate the rapid passage of large volumes of water into and out of the cell.

Insulin

A hormone secreted in response to elevated blood sugar after a meal that prompts liver and muscle cells to uptake glucose and store it as glycogen.

PRLR-SLICK cattle

A genetically modified breed of cattle engineered to exhibit enhanced tolerance and reduced susceptibility to heat.

High-density lipoprotein (HDL)

A class of lipoproteins identified by the abbreviation HDL that transports lipids through the bloodstream.

Sugar beets

The leading genetically modified crop in the United States when measured by total acreage.

Large intestine

The section of the gastrointestinal tract responsible primarily for absorbing water, vitamins, and minerals from remaining undigested matter.

United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)

The regulatory government agency tasked with overseeing and monitoring genetically modified plants in the United States.

Pepsin

A gastric digestive enzyme secreted in the stomach that initiates the breakdown of dietary proteins.

Enzymes

Biological catalysts that speed up chemical reaction rates by lowering their necessary activation energy.

Ingestion

The initial step in the physiological processing and fate of food, involving the intake of food into the body.

Elimination

The final stage in the fate of food, defined by the expulsion of undigested and unabsorbed waste from the gastrointestinal system.

Liver

The accessory digestive organ that synthesizes and secretes bile.

Gallbladder

A small pouch-like organ located below the liver that stores and concentrates bile until it is required for digestion.

Amino acids

The monomeric constituent units produced from the enzymatic breakdown and digestion of dietary proteins.

Glycogen

The complex carbohydrate that serves as the primary storage form of excess glucose within liver and muscle tissues.

Hypoglycemia

A clinical condition marked by abnormally low concentrations of glucose in the bloodstream.

Peristalsis

Rhythmic, wave-like smooth muscle contractions that propel food boluses and chyme forward through the digestive tract.

Kidneys

Vital organs whose primary function is to filter and clean the blood by eliminating excess nutrients, waste products, and toxins.

Hydrophilic

A chemical characteristic describing polar substances with an affinity for water; literally translated as "water-loving."

Esophagus

The muscular conduit that transports ingested food from the mouth down to the stomach via peristalsis.

Adenosine triphosphate (ATP)

The essential energy currency molecule that supplies the energy required to drive active transport processes in cells.

Genetically Modified Organism (GMO)

An organism whose genetic composition has been altered through modern biotechnology methods such as gene editing, mutagenesis, or crossbreeding.

At what point during the day do humans have the lowest blood sugar content?

When you first wake up in the morning after sleeping

Which of these are not needed in active transport?

Down hill energy from high to low concentration

Which one of these can slip through the membrane by simple diffusion?

Oxygen

After a high-sugar meal, what reaction occurs?

Insulin signals liver and muscle cells to take up glucose and store it as glycogen

Advantages of GMO crops?

All the above

Where are monosaccharides absorbed?

Bloodstream

What is the main focus of absorption of the large intestine?

Vitamins, minerals, and water

What percent of U.S. diet total calories come from ultra-processed foods?

60%

Which of the following statements about digestion is correct?

Cells throughout the digestive tract can absorb small nutrients, produce mucus, and have beneificial microbes.

Which two factors directly determine the rate of diffusion of a solute across a space or membrane?

Heat (temperature) and concentration gradients

What is the movement from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration called?

Diffusion

What are carbohydrates broken down into so the body can absorb them?

Monosaccharides

What can happen to vitamins and minerals when vegetables are boiled in water?

Some can leak into cooking water

When blood glucose levels drop (such as after sleeping), which hormone signals the breakdown of glycogen into glucose in liver and muscle cells?

Glucogen

Which of the following best describes the functions of the mouth (oral cavity) in digestion?

The mouth mechanically breaks down food through chewing, while salivary amylase begins the chemical digestion of starch.

Which federal agency regulated GMO pesticides and microorganisms?

EPA

5 ways an organism is changed for food

Enhance, augment, extend, improve, reduce

The mouth has teeth to (BLANK) food, and the tongue moves food around and coats it in saliva containing amylase.

Masticate

Which of the following is NOT a function of Mucus in the digestive tract?

Increases taste

What chemicals does the stomach use to break down nutrients?

Pepsin and Amalyse

What is the order the four compartments nutrients travel through?

Digestive Tube, Digestive Cells, Blood, Destination: Option 1 storage, Option 2 use