Managing Materials

Front

Homeostasis Noun

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[ho-mee-o-stay-sis]

Back

Homeostasis

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The process of maintaining a stable, balanced internal environment within a living organism's body to ensure optimal functioning.

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Example: This balance scale represents how your body maintains homeostasis, keeping internal conditions like temperature and hydration stable and in equilibrium.

Front

Digestion Noun

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[dy-jes-chun]

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Digestion

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The process of breaking down food into smaller, absorbable nutrients through both mechanical and chemical actions.

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Example: This image shows digestion breaking down a large, complex starch molecule into many small, simple glucose molecules that the body can use.

Front

Enzyme Noun

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[en-zime]

Back

Enzyme

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A protein that acts as a biological catalyst to accelerate the rate of specific chemical reactions in the body.

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Example: This diagram shows an enzyme with its specially shaped active site, which fits a specific molecule called a substrate, like a lock fits a key.

Front

Bile Noun

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[byle]

Back

Bile

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A substance produced by the liver that emulsifies fats, breaking them into smaller droplets for easier digestion.

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Example: This diagram shows that bile is a substance stored in the gallbladder, an organ located next to the liver and stomach.

Front

Villi Noun

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[vil-eye]

Back

Villi

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Tiny, finger-like projections lining the small intestine that vastly increase the surface area for nutrient absorption.

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Example: This diagram shows villi, the finger-like folds in the small intestine that increase surface area to help absorb nutrients from food.

Front

Lacteal Noun

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[lak-tee-ul]

Back

Lacteal

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A specialized lymph vessel within a small intestine villus that is responsible for absorbing most dietary fats.

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Example: This diagram shows a lacteal, a special vessel inside a villus of the small intestine, which absorbs digested fats into the lymphatic system.

Front

Hepatic portal vein Noun

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[heh-pat-ik por-tl vayn]

Back

Hepatic portal vein

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The major vein that transports nutrient-rich blood directly from the digestive tract to the liver for processing.

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Example: This diagram shows the hepatic portal vein, a large vein that collects nutrient-rich blood from the digestive organs and carries it to the liver.

Front

Glycogen Noun

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[gly-ko-jen]

Back

Glycogen

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The main storage form of glucose in animals, primarily found in the liver and muscle cells for energy reserves.

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Example: This image shows that glycogen is a large molecule made from glucose, and it can be broken down to provide energy for the body's activities.

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Urea Noun

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[yoo-ree-uh]

Back

Urea

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A less toxic nitrogenous waste compound converted from ammonia by the liver and excreted by the kidneys in urine.

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Example: This image shows the chemical structure of a urea molecule, illustrating the specific atoms (Carbon, Oxygen, Nitrogen, Hydrogen) and the bonds connecting them.

Front

Alveolus Noun

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[al-vee-o-lus]

Back

Alveolus

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A tiny, thin-walled air sac in the lungs where the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide occurs.

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Example: This diagram shows an alveolus, a tiny air sac in the lung, where oxygen from the air passes into red blood cells.