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Mar 26, 2023
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Amylase

Definition

The enzyme that digests starch into disaccharides 

Anemia

Definition

The lack of blood; caused when the number of red blood cells is reduced than the normal 

Appendix

Definition

Anon-functional finger-like process attached at the blind end of caecum

Assimilation

Definition

The incorporation of the products of digestion into the body, where they are used to provide energy or for the growth and repair of tissues 

Balanced diet

Definition

A diet which contains all the essential nutrients like carbohydrates, fats, proteins, minerals, and vitamins in the correct proportion for the normal growth and development of the body 

Bolus

Definition

The small, slippery, spherical mass of food formed in the oral cavity during the processes of mastication, lubrication, and semi-digestion

Cardiac sphincter

Definition

The opening between the esophagus and the cardiac portion of the stomach (sphincter means an opening which is guarded by muscles) 

Chyme

Definition

The soup-like mixture formed after the action of the stomach on food 

Constipation

Definition

The condition where a person experiences hard feces that are difficult to eliminate 

Diarrhea

Definition

The disease when required water is not absorbed in blood from the colon and watery stools result 

Dietary fiber

Definition

The part of human food from plant material that remains indigestible 

Digestion

Definition

The process in which the large and non-diffusible food molecules are broken down into smaller and diffusible molecules (that can cross the membranes) 

Duodenum

Definition

The first 10 inches (25 cm) of the small intestine 

Emulsification

Definition

The process by which bile salts keep lipid droplets separate from one another

Epiglottis

Definition

The flap of cartilage on the glottis (opening of the trachea in the pharynx)

Famine

Definition

The lack of enough food to feed all the people living in an area 

Fertilizer

Definition

The material which is added to the soil for desirable characteristics 

Gastric juice

Definition

The secretion of the gastric glands of the stomach; composed of water, mucous, hydrochloric acid, and pepsinogen 

Gastrin

Definition

The hormone secreted by special cells in stomach walls by the stimulation of peptides present in food: gastrin stimulates the cells of gastric glands to secrete more gastric juice 

Goiter

Definition

The condition in which the thyroid gland becomes enlarged due to an insufficient amount of iodine in the diet 

Ileum

Definition

The last 3.5 meters long part of the small intestine; is concerned with the absorption of digested food 

Intestinal juice

Definition

The secretion from the intestine walls contains many enzymes for the complete digestion of all kinds of food 

Jejunum

Definition

The 2.4 meters long part of the small intestine present after the duodenum 

Kwashiorkor

Definition

Disease due to protein deficiency: the patient may grow to normal height but are abnormally thin 

Lacteal

Definition

A vessel of the lymphatic system present in the villus 

Laxatives

Definition

The medicines are given to relieve constipation 

Lipase

Definition

The enzyme that digests the lipids into glycerol and fatty acids

Liver

Definition

The largest gland of the body: secretes bile into the duodenum and performs many other important functions

Malnutrition

Definition

Problems related to nutrition are grouped as malnutrition

Marasmus

Definition

Disease due to protein deficiency, the patient loses all their muscle strength and acquires a skeletal appearance 

Mineral deficiency diseases

Definition

Diseases resulting from the deficiency of a mineral e.g. 

  1. Goiter 
  2. Anemia 

Nutrition

Definition

The process in which food is obtained or prepared, absorbed and converted into body substances for growth and energy

Esophagus

Definition

The long tube (25 cm in an adult humans) connects the pharynx with the stomach 

Oral cavity

Definition

The first part of the alimentary canal; the space behind the mouth 

Over intake of nutrients

Definition

Over-intake of nutrients (OIN) is a form of malnutrition in which more nutrients are taken than the amounts required for growth, development, and metabolism. 

Pancreas

Definition

The gland that secretes pancreatic juice in the duodenum also produces the insulin hormone 

Pancreatic juice

Definition

The secretion of the pancreas that contains enzymes trypsin, pancreatic amylase, and lipase 

Pepsin

Definition

The active form of enzyme pepsinogen that partially digests the proteins into shorter peptide chains 

Pepsinogen

Definition

The inactive enzyme present in gastric juice; activated into pepsin by HCI 

Peristalsis

Definition

The rhythmic sequence of waves of contraction in the smooth muscles of the walls of the alimentary canal, thus squeezing the food down along the alimentary canal 

Pharynx

Definition

The section of the alimentary canal after the oral cavity and before the oesophagus 

Protein-energy malnutrition

Definition

Protein-energy malnutrition refers to inadequate availability or absorption of energy and proteins in the body. It may lead to diseases such as:

  1. Kwashiorkor
  2. Marasmus

Pyloric sphincter

Definition

The opening between the pyloric portion and small intestine 

Rectum

Definition

The last part of the large intestine: opens out through anus 

Saliva

Definition

The secretion from the salivary glands: contains, water, mucous, and amylase enzyme 

Starvation

Definition

Starvation is a severe reduction in nutrient and energy intake and is the most horrible effect of malnutrition. 

Stomach

Definition

The dilated part of the alimentary canal, on the left of the abdomen, beneath the diaphragm 

Swallowing

Definition

During swallowing the bolus is pushed to the back of the mouth by the tongue. 

Trace minerals

Definition

The mineral in human food that is required in amounts less than 100 mg per day 

Trypsin

Definition

The enzyme present in pancreatic juice, for the digestion of proteins

Ulcer

Definition

Peptic ulcer: A sore in the gut lining caused by a gradual breakdown of the tissue by the acidic gastric juice

Villus

Definition

The finger-like projection present on the inner walls of the ileum

Vitamins

Definition

The chemicals that are required in low amounts but are essential for normal growth and metabolism

Water-soluble vitamins

Definition

Water-soluble vitamins are absorbed directly in the blood, and travel freely: excess is excreted in the urine and is needed infrequent doses (1-3 days) e.g. B-complex and Vitamin C. 

Glottis

Definition

The opening of the trachea in the pharynx 

Macronutrients

Definition

The elements required by plants in larger quantities 

Micronutrients

Definition

The elements which are required in lower quantities 

Nutrients

Definition

The elements and compounds that an organism obtains as energy sources or as components for the synthesis of new materials 

Obesity

Definition

Becoming over-weight: one reason is the intake of food that contains energy more than their requirement and does very little physical work