| glossary
A - E |
| |
| A |
| Acid-base
balance |
The normal
balance between acids and alkalis in the body.
|
| Amino
acid |
Building
block of proteins |
|
Anaemia |
A
deficiency in the oxygen-carrying component of the blood. |
|
Antibodies |
A
protein
produced by the immune system in response to the presence
of an antigen.
It defends the body against substances identified by the
immune system as potentially harmful. |
|
Antigen |
A
substance that induces the formation of antibodies
because it is recognized by the immune system as a threat.
It may be a foreign substance from the environment (such
as chemicals) or formed within the body (such as bacterial
or viral toxins). |
| Antioxidants
|
Any
substance that reduces oxidative damage (damage due to
oxygen) such as that caused by free radicals.
|
| Arthritis
|
Inflammation
of a joint. When joints are inflammed they can develop stiffness,
warmth, swelling, redness and pain. |
|
ATP |
Adenosine
triphosphate - the major source of energy for reactions
in cells. |
| |
| B |
| Bacteria
|
|
| Buffers
|
A
substance that minimizes change in the acidity of a solution
when an acid or base is added to the solution.
|
|
|
|
| C |
|
Carotenoids |
Found
in foods of plant origin in the form of common plant pigments
- such as yellow-orange pigment of carrots - and converted
to vitamin A. |
|
Carbohydrates |
Mainly sugars and starches, together
with proteins and fats, constituting one of the three principal
types of nutrients used as energy sources by the body. |
| Cardiovascular
disease |
Disease
affecting the heart or blood vessels. |
| Cataracts |
A
clouding of the lens of the eye. The normally clear lens
of the eye starts to become cloudy. |
| Catalysts |
A
substance that modifies and increases the rate of a reaction
without being consumed in the process. |
| Chronic |
Means
lasting a long time. |
| Coenzyme
|
A
small molecule (not a protein) essential for the activity
of some enzymes. |
|
Coenzyme A
|
A
coenzyme that occurs in all living cells and is essential
to the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats, and some amino
acids. |
|
Creatine Phosphate
|
An
organic compound found in muscle tissue and capable of storing
and providing energy for muscular contraction. |
| |
|
| D |
|
Diabetes
Mellitus |
Better
known just as "diabetes" - a chronic disease associated
with abnormally high levels of the sugar, glucose,
in the blood. |
| Differentiation |
The
growth of cells into a specific type of cell.
|
| DNA
|
The
molecule that encodes genetic information in the nucleus
of cells. It determines the structure, function and behaviour
of the cell. |
| E |
| Edema |
An
excessive accumulation of fluid in tissue spaces or a body
cavity. |
| Enzyme
|
Any
of several complex proteins that are produced by cells
and act as catalysts
in specific biochemical reactions. |
| Epithelial
cells |
The
outside layer of cells that covers all the free, open
surfaces of the body including the skin, and mucous membranes
that communicate with the outside of the body.
|
| Extracellular
|
Located
or occurring outside a cell or cells. |
