Introduction to nanotoxicology Flashcards
(75 cards)
What do biotic organisms derive energy from?
Food
This energy sustains life and drives cellular functions.
What are nutrients?
Chemical substances necessary for proper growth, development, reproduction, cellular function, and repair following injury.
Where does digestion begin?
In the mouth via the actions of enzymes in saliva.
What are gastric juices primarily composed of?
High amounts of hydrochloric acid and enzymes like pepsin and α-amylase.
What role do bile and pancreatic enzymes play in digestion?
Aid in the absorption of dietary fats and further digestion of food.
What is the primary site of nutrient absorption?
The jejunum and ileum.
What structures increase the surface area of the intestinal mucosa?
Valvulae conniventes and villi.
How are monosaccharides transported into enterocytes?
By active transport (glucose, galactose) or facilitated diffusion (fructose).
What happens to macronutrient molecules that enter the circulation?
They undergo metabolism to be oxidized for energy or stored for future utilization.
What are the three main nutrient classes that provide energy?
Carbohydrates, proteins, and fats.
What is the principal circulating fuel in the body?
Glucose and free fatty acids.
What hormone is primarily responsible for managing nutrient fuels?
Insulin.
What does insulin promote in peripheral tissues?
Glucose uptake, glycogen synthesis, lipid synthesis, and protein synthesis.
What is the set-point theory?
Proposes that food intake and energy expenditure are regulated to maintain a constant level of energy reserve and body weight.
Which part of the brain plays a central role in energy balance?
The hypothalamus.
What is leptin?
A hormone secreted by adipose tissue that regulates energy balance.
Name two types of neurons involved in appetite control.
Orexigenic and anorexigenic neurons.
What are the methods to assess caloric intake in studies?
Measuring food consumed in metabolic cages and maintaining food records.
What are the general calorie factors for carbohydrates, fats, and proteins?
4, 9, and 4 respectively.
What is basal energy expenditure?
Energy expended at complete rest, generally after sleep.
What are the components of energy expenditure?
Basal energy expenditure, thermic effect of food, and energy expenditure associated with physical activity.
What is body mass index (BMI)?
A measure of body fatness derived from weight and height.
What does hydrodensitometry estimate?
Relative body fat using the density of the whole body.
How does air displacement plethysmography work?
Calculates body volume by measuring the air displaced by the body.