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Karyotype: An arrangement of chromosomes based on shape, size and
position of centromeres.
Keratin:
An insoluble protein found in the hair, nails and other keratinized
tissues of the epidermis.
Ketone
bodies:
Any
of three acidic chemicals (acetate, acetoacetate, and beta-hydroxybutyrate).
Ketone bodies may accumulate in the blood (ketosis) when the body has
inadequate glucose to use for energy, and must increase the use of fat for
fuel. Ketone bodies are acidic, and very high levels in the blood are toxic
and may result in ketoacidosis.
Ketosis: Abnormal
condition marked by excessive production of ketone bodies. Often
caused by high-protein, low-carbohydrate diets such as the Atkins diet.
Kidney
stones:
Also
known as renal calculi, kidney stones are the result of crystallization of
certain substances found in urine, including calcium, phosphate, oxalic
acid, and uric acid. Stones may form in the urine collecting area (pelvis)
of the kidney, as well as the ureters (narrow tubes connecting the kidney to
the urinary bladder).
Kilocalorie (kcal): The amount of heat required to
raise the temperature of 1000 grams of water from 14 to 15 degrees C; the
unit used to express the heating value of foods and to measure metabolic
rate.
Kinesiology: The
study of the movement of body parts.
Kinesthesia: Ability
to perceive extent, direction or weight of movement; muscle sense.
Krebs cycle: A series
of biological reactions that occurs in the matrix of mitochondria in which
electrons are transferred to coenzymes and carbon dioxide is formed.
The electrons carried by the coenzymes then enter the electron transport
chain, which generates a large quantity of ATP. Also called the
citric acid cycle.
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