Reabsorbed Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
๐
reabsorbed
[riหษหzษหrbd ]
Definition
biological process
Reabsorbed refers to the process by which substances that have been previously absorbed by an organism's cells or tissues are taken back into the organism. This is commonly observed in biological systems where nutrients, ions, or water are filtered from blood or other fluids, and later reabsorbed into circulation, helping maintain homeostasis. For example, in the kidneys, the reabsorption of water and essential nutrients occurs during the urine formation process.
Synonyms
reclaimed, retrieved, taken back.
Examples of usage
- The kidneys reabsorbed water from the filtrate.
- Nutrients must be reabsorbed after digestion.
- Certain drugs are reabsorbed through the intestinal wall.
Translations
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Origin of 'reabsorbed'
The term 'reabsorbed' is derived from the prefix 're-', which means 'again' or 'back', and the root word 'absorb', which comes from the Latin 'absorbere', meaning 'to swallow up, soak up'. The word 'absorb' is formed from 'ab-' indicating 'from' and 'sorb' meaning 'to suck in' or 'to take'. In physiological contexts, reabsorption processes were first studied in relation to the kidneys and their role in fluid balance. Over time, the understanding of reabsorption expanded to other biological processes and systems. The concept is critical in understanding how organisms maintain equilibrium by regulating substances within their systems.