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Open sourceWord list
30 words you will meet while reading. Each has a simple meaning, an example, and the science definition if you want it.
30 words
A protein called albumin leaking into the urine, which can be a sign that the kidneys are stressed.
For example: A coffee filter that lets some grounds through.
Increased albumin protein in urine, which can indicate kidney injury.
A pancreas cell that makes glucagon, which tells the liver to release sugar.
For example: The person who opens the pantry when the family is hungry.
A pancreatic islet cell that produces glucagon.
The small energy packets that cells spend to do their work.
For example: Coins that cells use to pay for jobs.
Adenosine triphosphate, a molecule cells use to transfer usable energy between reactions.
A defender protein that points at the body’s own parts by mistake.
For example: A guard dog that barks at the family instead of a stranger.
An antibody directed against the body’s own molecules; certain islet autoantibodies mark Type 1 autoimmunity.
A tiny cell in the pancreas that makes insulin.
For example: The baker in a bakery who makes the bread everyone needs.
A cell in a pancreatic islet that produces and releases insulin.
A leftover piece made when insulin is made. It shows how much insulin your body still makes.
For example: Sawdust left behind after a carpenter builds a chair: the more sawdust, the more chairs.
A fragment released when proinsulin is processed, useful for assessing the body’s own insulin secretion.
Whether a prediction’s percentages match what really happens.
For example: If the weather says “70% rain”, it should rain on about 7 of 10 such days.
How well a model’s predicted probabilities agree with observed event frequencies.
A dangerous state with too many acid ketones because there is not enough insulin. It needs hospital care.
For example: A car engine running on the wrong fuel and filling with smoke.
Diabetic ketoacidosis: dangerous ketone accumulation with acidosis, often caused by severe insulin deficiency.
Blood sugar that is not in the healthy range.
For example: A thermostat that swings too hot or too cold.
Glucose regulation outside the normal range; the exact meaning depends on the clinical or research context.
Fat that ends up in places it should not, like the liver or muscle.
For example: Suitcases stacked in the hallway instead of the storeroom.
Fat accumulated in sites such as liver or muscle where excess can disrupt metabolism.
The thin lining inside blood vessels.
For example: The smooth inside wall of a water pipe.
The thin cell layer lining blood vessels, important in blood flow and vascular function.
Another gut hormone that helps release insulin when you eat.
For example: A second messenger sent from the kitchen to the control room.
Glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide, a gut-related hormone involved in nutrient and insulin signaling.
A gut hormone that helps insulin come out after eating, calms appetite and slows the stomach.
For example: A message from the tummy saying “I am full, you can stop now”.
Glucagon-like peptide-1, a hormone involved in glucose-dependent insulin secretion, appetite and gastric emptying.
A hormone that says “let some sugar out”.
For example: When the fridge is empty, glucagon tells the family to open the freezer.
A hormone that helps increase liver glucose supply, especially during fasting.
The liver making brand-new sugar from other materials when food is not coming.
For example: A bakery that bakes from leftover bread when the flour runs out.
Production of new glucose from non-carbohydrate substrates such as lactate, glycerol and certain amino acids.
Little sugar doors in muscle and fat that open when insulin calls or muscles work.
For example: A gate that swings open when the bell rings.
An insulin- and contraction-responsive glucose transporter important in muscle and fat.
Sugar sticking to a protein where it should not.
For example: Syrup sticking to a door handle so it goes stiff.
Chemical attachment of a sugar to a molecule without an enzyme deliberately adding it.
A storage form of sugar in the liver and muscles.
For example: A piggy bank for sugar.
A branched glucose-storage molecule found especially in liver and muscle.
The first steps where cells break sugar down to get energy.
For example: Chopping a big log into pieces so it will burn.
A sequence of cellular reactions that breaks glucose into smaller molecules and captures some energy.
A blood test that shows your average sugar over the last few months.
For example: A long-exposure photo that shows the whole trail of a moving light, not just one moment.
The fraction of hemoglobin with attached glucose, used to estimate recent months of glucose exposure.
Very high sugar with severe dehydration. The person may be confused.
For example: A sponge left in the sun until it is dry and hard.
Hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state: severe high glucose and dehydration, often with neurological impairment.
Not needing to inject insulin for a stated time.
For example: Riding a bike without training wheels for a week; it does not promise you will never wobble.
Not using external insulin during a specified observation period; this alone does not establish permanent cure.
Your cells do not react to insulin as well as they should, so the body needs more of it.
For example: Like getting used to a loud alarm: you need a louder one to wake up.
A reduced response to insulin, so more insulin may be needed for the same effect.
How well your cells listen to insulin. High sensitivity is good.
For example: How quickly a class responds when the teacher speaks.
How effectively tissues respond to insulin; lower sensitivity means greater resistance.
The body burns fat and makes ketones as fuel. It can happen when you have not eaten for a long time.
For example: Using the emergency wood pile when the coal runs out.
Increased ketone production or circulation; fasting ketosis is not automatically diabetic ketoacidosis.
Extra fat in the liver that is linked to how the body handles energy.
For example: A pantry with too many boxes stored in it.
Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease: liver fat in a metabolic-risk context.
A group of things that often show up together: belly fat, blood pressure, cholesterol and sugar changes.
For example: Several small warning lights that come on in the car at once.
A clustering of risk factors such as central adiposity, abnormal lipids, blood pressure and glucose; criteria vary.
Sugar stays below the diabetes range without the usual diabetes medicine. It can come back.
For example: A fire that has gone quiet, but you still watch the embers.
A defined period of glucose below diabetes thresholds without usual glucose-lowering medication; relapse remains possible.
A measurement used as a stand-in for what people really care about.
For example: A quiz score used instead of the final exam.
A measured marker used in place of a direct clinical outcome; improving it may not fully establish patient benefit.
Fat stored deep in the belly, around the organs.
For example: Stuffing packed around fragile items inside a box.
Fat stored around internal abdominal organs, distinct from fat directly under the skin.