[A]  [B]  [C]  [D]  [E]  [F]  [G]  [H]  [I]  [J]  [K]  [L]  [M]  [N]  [O]  [P]  [Q]  [R]  [S]  [T]  [U]  [V]  [W]  [X]  [Y]  [Z]

A

amino acid: the basic building block of protein.

anemia: a disease where the number and shape of red blood cells is altered.

antibiotic: a substance that inhibits the growth of bacteria.

antioxidant: a substance that can interefere with the breakdown of fats through the oxidation process.

aspartame: a low calorie sugar alternative, brand name Nutrasweet.

B

bake: to cook in dry heat, usually in an oven.

baste: to pour liquid over food as it bakes.

boil: to cook food submerged in water.

bulimia: an eating disorder where period binges are followed by purging through vomitting or laxitives.

C

caffeine: a mild stimulant that is an alkaloid in coffee, tea, and cola.

calorie: a unit of heat measurement (the kilocalorie, or 1000 calories is used in nutrition).

caproic acid: a saturated fatty acid with a unpleasant odor.

carbonate: a salt or ester of carbonic acid.

carcinogen: a cancer-causing agent.

carotenes: orange fat-soluble pigments.

catalyst: a substance the changes the rate of a reaction without being used up in the reaction.

cholesterol: a fatlike substance that is needed by cells; can result in artery blockage if built up.

coagulation: the formation of clots from the denaturation of protein.

collagen: connective tissue found in muscles.

complex carbohydrates: a carbohydrate composed of many small sugar units attached.

corn syrup: syrup made from the partial hydrolysis of corn starch.

D

dehydrated food: a food with atleast 95% of the water takes out.

denaturation: the change from a proteins native state

dextrins: sugar composed of many glucose units.

diglyceride: glycerol combined with two fatty acids.

E

emulsifier: a substance that aids in the formation of fine fat globules.

F

fatty acid: a chemical molecule formed when a cabon and hydrogen chain bonds with glycerol.

fermentation: the transformation of complex molecules into smaller ones; the production of CO2 and alcohol from sugar.

fiber: indigestible substance found in plant foods that aid in proper digestion.

free radicals: highy reactive particles produced during oxidation that can destroy cell walls.

G

glucose: a simple sugar that is the building block for starch.

gluten: a protein in flower that gives structure to baked products.

glycogen: a comples carbohydrate used for storage in animals

H

homogenize: to subdivide particles into small uniform particles.

hydrolysis: a chemical reaction where a chemical bond is broken.

M

maltase: an enzyme that turns maltose into glucose.

maltose: a double-sugar made up of two glucose molucules.

metabolic: anything having to do with chemical change within a cell.

monosaccharide: a simpe sugar, such as glucose or fructose.

monunsaturated fat: a fatty acid with one double bond between carbon atoms; the good kind of fat.

O

obesity: a weight condition where over 20 percent of body weight is excess fat.

organic acid: an acid containing carbon, for example citric acid and acetic acid.

organic foods: foods that are produced using only naturally produced products.

oxidation: a chemical reaction in which oxygen is added to molecules.

P

pasteurization: the process of heating a food to destroy and dangerous organisms.

pectin: a complex carbohydrate.

peptid: a number of amino acids joined together.

polysaccharide: a molecule made up of many simple sugars.

polyunsaturated fat: a fatty acid with two or more double bonds between carbon atoms; the good kind of fat.

R

respiration: a metabolic process where cells consume oxygen and give off carbon dioxide.

S

salt: a compound derived when the hydrogen of an acid is replaced by a metal.

saturated fat: a fatty acid with no double bonds between carbon atoms; can be made into cholesterol by the body.

V

vegetable: a plant food. Generally, if it has seeds inside, it is considered a fruit.

[A]  [B]  [C]  [D]  [E]  [F]  [G]  [H]  [I]  [J]  [K]  [L]  [M]  [N]  [O]  [P]  [Q]  [R]  [S]  [T]  [U]  [V]  [W]  [X]  [Y]  [Z]