Category: C

  • Chemiosmotic theory

    The postulate that the free energy of electron transport in the mitochondrial respiratory chain is conserved in the formation of a transmembrane proton gradient. The electrochemical potential of this gradient is used to drive ATP synthesis.  

  • Chemical potential

    The partial molar free energy of a substance.  

  • Chargaff’s rule

    Applies to DNA in that there are equal numbers of adenine and thymine residues and equal numbers of guanine and cytosine residues in this genetic material.  

  • Cetolic acid

    A toxic monounsaturated fatty acid, which occurs in herring oil. Its toxic effects are similar to those of erucic acid.  

  • Ceramide

    A sphingosine derivative with an acyl group attached to its amino group. A class of lipids that do not contain glycerol. They are derived from a sphingosine. Glycosphingolipids and sphingomyelins are derived from ceramides.  

  • Central stimulants

    Substances increasing the state of activity of the nervous system. An example of a class of stim¬ ulants is the methylxanthines, which have effects on the peripheral and central nervous system. Caffeine, theophylline, and theobromine are methylxanthines.  

  • Cell anatomy

    The location of the various organelles of a eukaryotic cell.  

  • Celecoxib

    A nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used to treat arthritis. Celecoxib (Celebrex) relieves the pain and inflammation of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. It was the first of a new subclass of NSAIDs called COX-2 inhibitors to come on the market for the treatment of arthritis. Celecoxib, like older NSAIDs such as Motrin (ibuprofen) and Naprosyn (naproxen),…

  • Caspase

    A heterotetrameric cysteine protease that hydrolyzes cellular proteins including caspase zymogens as part of the apoptotic cascade. A protein that regulates programmed cellular death (apoptosis).  

  • Case-control studies

    Nonexperimental studies in which cases of a particular disease are selected and the patient’s exposure in the past is compared with that of people without the disease. This type of study is suitable for studying rare diseases. The numbers of subjects needed are small compared to those needed in cohort studies. Since the cases are…