| A | B |
|---|
| mineral | inorganic material, such as calcium, iron, potassium, sodium, or zinc, that is essential to the nutrition of an organism |
| vitamin | organic molecule that works with enzymes to regulate cell function, growth, and development |
| Calorie | measure of energy released from digesting food; one Calorie equals one kilocalorie of heat |
| digestion | process by which large, complex molecules are broken down into smaller molecules that can be used by cells |
| digestive system | body system that digests food; includes mouth, esophagus, stomach, pancreas, intestines, liver, gallbladder, rectum, and anus |
| sphincter | ring of muscle that separates the different organs of the digestive system |
| esophagus | tube-shaped tissue of the digestive system that connects the mouth to the stomach |
| peristalsis | wavelike involuntary muscle contractions that push food through the organs of the digestive system |
| stomach | muscular sac in the digestive system that breaks down food into a liquid-like mixture |
| chyme | partially digested, semi-liquid mixture that passes from the stomach to the small intestine |
| small intestine | organ of the digestive system that connects the stomach to the large intestine and in which chemical digestion takes place |
| bile | fluid released by the liver and gallbladder into the small intestine that aids in the digestion and absorption of fats |
| absorption | process by which nutrients move out of one system and into another |
| villi | small finger-like projection in the small intestine that absorbs nutrients (singular: villus) |
| microvilli | small hairlike projections on the surface of a villus in the small intestine (singular: microvillus) |
| excretory system | body system that collects and eliminates wastes from the body; includes the kidneys and bladder |
| kidney | organ of the excretory system that removes wastes from the blood and helps to maintain stable water levels in the body |
| ureter | tube of connective tissue that carries urine before it is excreted from the body |
| urinary bladder | saclike organ that collects and stores urine before it is excreted from the body |
| nephron | individual filtering unit of the kidney that removes waste from the blood |
| glomerulus | tangled ball of capillaries that circulates blood in the kidneys |
| dialysis | treatment in which a patient's blood is filtered through a machine, the waste is removed, and the cleaned blood is returned to the patient's body |
