Category: B
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Binge-purge syndrome
A feature of the eating disorder bulimia nervosa, characterised by the ingestion of excessive amounts of food and the excessive use of laxatives.
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Bilirubin, biliverdin
The bile pigments, formed by the degradation of haemoglobin. A green pigment in the bile, produced by oxidation of bilirubin. The product of the first step in heme catabolism. Early breakdown product of hemoglobin as part of the normal life-death cycle of red blood cells. After 120 days, these cells die and hemoglobin is metabolized…
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Bile salts (bile acids)
Salts of cholic and deoxycholic acid and their glycine and taurine conjugates, secreted in the bile; they enhance the digestion of fats by emulsifying them. Anionic forms of bile acids. Glycocholate is a combination of cholyl CoA with glycine; taurocholate is a combination of cholyl CoA with taurine. Sodium glycocholate and sodium taurocholate: the alkaline…
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Bifidus factor
A carbohydrate in human milk which stimulates the growth of Lactobacillus bifidus in the intestine. In turn, this organism lowers the pH of the intestinal contents and suppresses the growth of pathogenic bacteria. Compound in human milk that inhibits growth of particular bacteria in the digestive tract.
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Bifidogenic
Promoting the growth of (beneficial) bifidobacteria in the intestinal tract.
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Beta sheet flattened form
Common secondary structure in proteins.
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Beta pleat (B pleat)
Common secondary structure in proteins.
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Beta linkage (B-linkage)
Bond formed by ring closure of a sugar with the hydroxyl group to the left of the chain in the Fischer projection formula (q.v.).
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Beriberi
The result of severe and prolonged deficiency of vitamin B1 especially where the diet is high in carbohydrate and poor in vitamin B1. A deficiency disease caused by the absence or insufficient levels of B-complex vitamins in the diet. A disease due to vitamin B1 deficiency, marked by inflammation of nerves, heart problems and oedema.…
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Behenic acid
Very long-chain saturated fatty acid (C22:0).