Glossary

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C

carbohydrate search for term: Substances found in foods such as bread, potatoes and pasta. These provide energy to the body.
chromosomes search for term: Thread-like structures made up of protein and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). DNA is passed from parents to children and contains instructions on how to make everything in the body.
connective tissue search for term: A type of tissue that supports and connects parts of the body together.

enteral feeding search for term: This is a nutritionally complete liquid feed (containing protein, carbohydrate, fat, water, minerals and vitamins) which is given directly into the stomach or intestine. Enteral feeding is generally used when a person is unable to eat enough food to sustain themselves and/or their growth.

fats search for term: High energy substances found naturally in meat, dairy products, seeds and nuts.
fluid retention search for term: Excess water in the body.

gland search for term: Organ involved in the production of hormones.
goiter search for term: Swelling on the neck due to a swollen or enlarged thyroid gland.
growth factors search for term: Substances made by most cells in the body that help growth.
growth plate search for term: Areas of the bone where growth occurs. Usually found on the long bones in the body (e.g. in the legs and arms).
guided imagery search for term: Usually a story that asks the listener to visualise images as it goes along. Helps to direct the thoughts and imagination toward a relaxed state.

hereditary search for term: A trait (such as physical appearance or medical condition) that is passed on in the genes from the parents to the child.
hormones search for term: These substances are produced by the body and are also known as chemical messengers. They are produced by glands (e.g. pituitary, thyroid and adrenal) and travel in the bloodstream to tissues or organs. Their action is usually slow and gradual, and affects many different things, including growth and development, metabolism, sexual function, reproduction and mood.

metabolism search for term: A process in the body that converts the food that you eat to energy.
motor development search for term: Development of the child's bones and muscles so that they are able to move about and manipulate their environment. There are two main types of motor skills: gross and fine. Gross motor development involves the large muscle groups, so that the child is able to sit, stand, walk and run. Fine motor development involves the small muscles, especially those in the hand, so the child is able to eat and draw.
motor skills search for term: The ability of the body to co-ordinate to move and carry out tasks. Gross motor skills are skills to do with moving large muscles – such as arms and legs e.g. running. Fine motor skills are to with moving small muscles such as fingers e.g. picking up a toy.

pituitary gland search for term: A gland in the brain that is responsible for producing hormones (such as growth hormones) that control other glands in the body such as the thyroid, adrenals and mammary glands, which regulates many different processes in the body such as growth, metabolism and reproduction.
protein search for term: Substances important for muscle development, found in meat, dairy products, tofu, beans and lentils.

scrotum search for term: Pouch below the penis where the testicles are usually found.
secondary sexual characteristics search for term: Physical changes that occur in the body during puberty that distinguish men from women. Secondary sexual characteristics are not usually involved in reproduction and include changes like breast development in girls and the voice breaking in boys.