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Basic Sciences - Substances

Study terms for biological substances involved in nutrition, metabolism, hormonal regulation, immunity, and cellular communication.

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cholesterol

a substance high in fat and found in blood and most body tissues, a high amount of which correlates with an increased risk of heart disease

Ex: The doctor advised him to reduce his intake of saturated fats to lower his cholesterol levels. 
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protein
protein
[noun]

a substance found in food such as meat, eggs, seeds, etc. which is an essential part of the diet and keeps the body strong and healthy

Ex: Chicken and fish are excellent sources of protein. 
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amino acid

any organic compound that creates the basic structure of proteins

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lipid
lipid
[noun]

any of a class of organic substances that do not dissolve in water that include many natural oils, waxes, and steroids

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carbohydrate

a substance that consists of hydrogen, oxygen, and carbon that provide heat and energy for the body, found in foods such as bread, pasta, fruits, etc.

Ex: She enjoys a balanced diet that includes whole grains rich in carbohydrates. 
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starch
starch
[noun]

a white carbohydrate food substance that exists in flour, potatoes, rice, etc.

Ex: Rice is a good source of starch and pairs well with stir-fried vegetables. 
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glucose
glucose
[noun]

a basic kind of sugar that is a component of carbohydrates and provides energy for many living organisms

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maltose
maltose
[noun]

a sugar formed by two glucose molecules linked together, commonly found in malted foods and used in brewing

Ex: The brewer uses maltose during the beer fermentation process. 
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hormone
hormone
[noun]

a chemical substance produced in the body of living things influencing growth and affecting the functionality of cells or tissues

Ex: Insulin, a hormone from the pancreas, controls blood sugar levels. 
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stress hormone

(biology) a hormone released by the body in response to physical or emotional pressure, preparing it for a fight-or-flight reaction

Ex: Cortisol is the primary stress hormone released during a perceived threat. 
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hydrocortisone

(biochemistry) a steroid hormone from the adrenal gland that helps regulate metabolism and reduces inflammation

Ex: The doctor prescribed hydrocortisone cream to calm the itchy rash. 
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insulin
insulin
[noun]

a hormone that is responsible for controlling the level of glucose in the blood, the lack of which can cause diabetes

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norepinephrine

a hormone and neurotransmitter that regulates the body's stress response

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cortisol
cortisol
[noun]

a steroid hormone that the body produces and is used in medicine to help cure skin diseases

Ex: High levels of cortisol can increase stress and anxiety. 
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estrogen
estrogen
[noun]

a hormone primarily responsible for female reproductive development and regulation

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testosterone

a hormone related to gender that is produced by male body to develop typical male features

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antibody
antibody
[noun]

a blood protein produced to fight diseases or infections, or in response to foreign substances in the body

Ex: Antibodies stop harmful germs and tag them for immune cells to destroy. 
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antigen
antigen
[noun]

any foreign substance in the body that can trigger a response from the immune system

Ex: The vaccine introduces a harmless antigen to stimulate immunity. 
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enzyme
enzyme
[noun]

a substance that all living organisms produce that brings about a chemical reaction without being altered itself

Ex: Enzymes play a crucial role in digestion, breaking down food into smaller molecules that can be absorbed by the body. 
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histamine
histamine
[noun]

a compound released by cells in response to injury, allergy, or immune reactions, causing inflammation, itching, and other allergy symptoms

Ex: Antihistamines are commonly used to relieve symptoms of allergic reactions by blocking histamine receptors. 
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interferon

(biochemistry) a protein made by virus-infected cells that helps block viral reproduction and boost immune defenses

Ex: Interferon is released when a cell detects a viral invasion. 
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neurotransmitter

a chemical substance that transmits messages from a neuron to another one or to a muscle

Ex: Dopamine is a neurotransmitter involved in mood regulation. 
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pepsin
pepsin
[noun]

an enzyme produced in the stomach that helps in the digestion of proteins by breaking them down into smaller peptides

Ex: Pepsin is an enzyme produced in the stomach that helps break down proteins into smaller peptides. 
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RNA
RNA
[noun]

(biochemistry) a chemical substance that carries the information from DNA to control the cellular protein biosynthesis

Ex: RNA transcribes genetic information from DNA to guide protein production. 
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lymph
lymph
[noun]

a colorless liquid consisting of white blood cells that helps to prevent infections from spreading

Ex: Swelling can occur when lymph is not properly drained. 
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glycogen
glycogen
[noun]

a complex carbohydrate that serves as a storage form of energy in the liver and muscles, made up of glucose molecules linked together

Ex: Glycogen is a complex carbohydrate stored in the liver and muscles. 
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adenosine triphosphate

a molecule that carries energy within cells, composed of adenine, a ribose sugar, and three phosphate groups

Ex: Adenosine triphosphate is often referred to as the "energy currency" of cells due to its role in energy transfer. 
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adenosine diphosphate

(biochemistry) a molecule that turns into ATP when a phosphate group is added, storing energy for cells

Ex: Adenosine diphosphate is constantly recycled into ATP inside your muscles. 
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hemoglobin

a protein that carries oxygen in red blood cells

Ex: Iron-rich foods support hemoglobin levels. 
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adrenaline

a body hormone produced in case of anger, fear, or excitement that makes the heart beat faster and the body react quicker

Ex: When faced with danger, the body releases adrenaline, triggering the fight-or-flight response. 
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