Key Terms Flashcards
(30 cards)
What is MALT
mucosa associated lymphoid tissue
Collections of immune cells e.g lymphocytes & macrophages
Found in tonsils, oesophagus, small intestine, appendix & large intestine
What is the myenteric plexus
Between the muscle layers of the GIT tract are neurons that control peristalsis (wave of contractive movement)
What is the submucosal plexus
network of neurons -brain of the gut
Regulate the secretion of digestive enzymes
What is a bollus
Undigested ball of food
What is a chyme
Partially digested food that leaves stomach
What does it mean to say the pancreas is retroperiteneal
Pancreas is located outside of the peritoneum
What is satiety
Feeling of fullness
What are peyers patches
Clusters of white blood cells found in the digestive tract helping immunity
What is the process of detoxifaction
The process whereby a toxic substance is converted into a non-toxic substance which can then be excreted
What does conjugation mean
To join things together
What is glutathione
A key anti-oxidant in phase 2 liver detoxification
What are saturated fats
A molecule containing the greatest number of hydrogen atoms without any double bonds - full up & rigid
What are unsaturated fats
Have one or more double bonds between carbon atoms - more flexible chain
What is a trans fatty acid
Hydrogen molecules are on opposite sides of a double chain molecule - found in more processed foods - can increase levels of unwanted cholesterol
What is a cis fatty acid
Where hydrogen molecules are gound on the same side of a double bond chain - occurs in most natural fats
What are amino acids
The basic building block used to make proteins
What does it mean to denature
To Destroy properties of a molecule
What are enzymes
Biological catalysts which speed up chemical reactions up to tthousands of times
They are highly specific proteins with what they react with (lock and key)
What does the active enzyme pepsin digest
Protein
When converted from pepsinogen to pepsin by hydrochloric acid (HCL)
What does hydrochloric acid assist in the digestive system
HCL Activates pepsin
Acts as an antimicrobial agent
Assists in activating bile & pancreas flow
What are lacteals
Lymph capillaries
What are kupffer cells
Phagocytic cells which remove foreign bodies from the blood
A type of specialised wBc
What are sinusoids
Columns between hepatocytes where blood from the portal vein & hepatic artery mix
What are teratogens
Something that causes embryonic malformation
Eg chemotherapy, radiation, alcohol, excess high volumes of vitamin A, anticonvulsant meds, smoking, substance abuse
