Category: A

A heterogeneous (i.e., widely varying) group of photosynthetic plants, ranging from microscopic single-cell forms to multicellular, very large forms such as seaweed. All of them contain chlorophyll and hence most are green, but some of them may be different colors due to the presence of other, overshadowing pigments. A group of simple aquatic plants that…

A simple sugar in which the carbonyl carbon atom is at one end of the carbon chain. A class of monosaccharide sugars; the molecule contains an aldehyde group. A carbohydrate of the aldehyde group (CHO).  

A naturally occurring bacterium that is capable of inserting its DNA (genetic information) into plants, resulting in a type of injury to the plant known as crown gall. Among others, Monsanto Company has developed a way to stop Agrobacterium tumefaciens from causing crown gall, while maintaining its ability to insert DNA into plant cells, and…

A nonsugar component of a glycoside. The substance attached to the chemical structure of digitalis glycosides. It is responsible for the cardiotonic activity of those agents.  

A highly purified form of agar. Used as a stationary phase (substrate) in some chromatography and electrophoretic methods.  

The transfer of an immune state from one animal to another by means of lymphocyte transfusions.  

The increase in immune response that is achieved by selectively removing certain immune system cells from (a patient’s) body, multiplying them in vitro outside the body to greatly increase number, then reinserting those (more numerous) immune system cells into the same body.  

Required by America’s Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for approval of new food ingredients. Uptake of a substance through the skin or a mucous membrane.  

A glycoprotein “chain” that protrudes from the surface membrane of certain cells, and causes cells (possessing “matching” adhesion molecules) to adhere to each other. For example, in 1952 Aaron Moscona observed that (harvesting enzyme-separated) chicken embryo cells did not remain separated, but instead coalesced again into an (embryo) aggregate. In 1955, Philip Townes and Johannes…

A ribonucleoside 5 ‘-monophosphate that is formed by hydrolysis of ATP or ADP. A hormone secreted by the parafocicular cells of the thyroid gland to regulate the level of blood calcium. Substance formed by condensation of adenosine and phosphoric acid. It is one of the hydrolytic products of nucleic acids and is present in muscle,…