Category: A

An inherited metabolic disorder. Alcaptonurics excrete excessive amounts of homogentisic acid (alcapton) in the urine. A rare genetic disease in which homogentisic acid (a metabolite of phenylalanine and tyrosine) accumulates because of a mutation in the gene for homogentisic acid oxidase. Congenital absence of an enzyme, homogentisic acid oxidase, that is essential for the normal…

An organism afflicted with albinism. A person who is deficient in melanin and has little or no pigmentation in the skin, hair or eyes. Lacking pigmentation of the skin, eyes, and hair. A person or animal that lacks normal coloring in the eyes, hair, and skin due to a hereditary inability to produce the skin…

An organization of children who have an alcoholic parent or sibling, Al-ateen.  

An organization whose program is designed to help teenagers who have one or more alcoholic relative to understand their condition and to learn to cope, Al- anon.  

In the General Adaptation Syndrome the first stage of stress during which the body is made ready to respond to threat. There is an increase in adrenalin activity as well as cardiovascular and respiratory function. Selye’s first stage of the general adaptation syndrome characterized by the fight-or-flight reaction.  

The initial stage of the General Adaptation Syndrome in which a person reacts vigorously to stress. Initial phase of general adaptation syndrome; bodily response to stress by release of endocrine hormones preparing for fight or flight. The first stage in the general adaptation syndrome, which includes changes occurring in the body when subjected to stressful…

A special genetically controlled cry that impels the members of a species to take cover suggests a form of altruism.  

Delayed speech in childhood, at: aphasia. A condition in which a person completely loses the ability to speak. Inability to speak, e.g., in paralysis of the vocal cords. Inability to speak due to a defect in or a paralysis of the vocal organs; aphasia. An organic brain disease is usually responsible.    

A seizure that is evidenced by an absence or poverty of repetitive or clonic movements.  

A side effect of major tranquilizers that causes the person to be restless and possibly unable to sit or to lie down quietly or to sleep.