Category: P

The smooth, transparent, serous membrane that lines the cavity of the abdomen of a mammal.  

The number of base pairs per turn of the DNA double helix. The timing of recurrent attacks of a disease. State of being recurrent at regular or irregular intervals; certain disease symptoms, such as wheezing, occur periodically without a pattern. Other events, such as a woman’s menstrual cycle, are recurrent (periodic) and, normally, relatively regular.…

A 70 Kd (kilodalton) protein that is instrumental in the lysis of infected cells. A series of reactions occurs on the surface of a cell which results in the polymerization of certain monomers to form trans-membrane (i.e., through the membrane) pores 100 A (Angstroms) wide, which allows ions to rush into the cell (due to…

A protein that has been partially hydrolyzed (i.e., cleaved) by the peptidase pepsin. A substance produced by the action of pepsins on proteins in food. A secondary protein derivative formed during protein digestion in the stomach. Soluble product of the proteolytic digestion of meat by enzymes such as papain, trypsin etc. Containing polypeptides, amino acids,…

The characteristic pattern of peptides resulting from partial hydrolysis (cleavage, digestion) of a protein. The pattern is obtained by separating the peptides by two-dimensional chromatography in which the peptides are first subjected to chromatography using one solution which separates many but not all peptides. The chromatogram is then turned 90 degrees and is again chromatographed…

A covalent bond (linkage) between the ct-amino group of one amino acid and the a-carboxyl group of another amino acid. This is the linkage or bond which holds the amino acids (chain links) together in a polypeptide chain. It is the all-important bond which holds the amino acid monomers together to form the polymer known…

Refers to the genus of fungi (mold) that belongs to the category Deuteromycotina, and often causes (food) spoilage. Some of this genus have been utilized commercially to produce antibiotics. The fungus from which penicillin is derived. A genus of moldlike fungi that commonly grow on decaying fruit, bread, or cheese. The species P. chrysogenum is…

Also known as β-lactamases, these are enzymes that hydrolyze (break down) the β-lactam ring (portion) of the penicillin molecule’s structure. Some microorganisms (e.g., pathogenic bacteria) have become able to produce these enzymes as a defense to penicillin and cephalosporin antibiotics (drugs). An enzyme produced by some bacteria that destroys penicillin. An enzyme produced by some…

A modified version of the enzyme human superoxide dismutase (hSOD) in which polyethylene glycol (a polymer made up of ethylene glycol monomers) is combined with the hSOD molecule. The PEG seems to wrap around or about the enzyme in such a way that the whole complex is able to exist in the blood for longer…