Category: P

  • Potentiating

    A degree of synergism which causes the exposure of the organism to a harmful substance to worsen a disease already contracted.  

  • Potentiate

    A degree of synergism which causes the exposure of the organism to a harmful substance to worsen a disease already contracted. To improve the effectiveness of a drug or treatment, especially by adding another drug or agent.  

  • Post-translational

    The cleavage of signal sequence that directs the passage of the protein through a cell or organelle membrane.  

  • Postsynaptic

    Nerve potential generated by an inhibitory hyperpolarizing stimulation. Situated behind a synapse.  

  • Postoperative

    Following an operation or surgical procedure. Referring to the period after a surgical operation. To the period after surgery, including the emergence from anesthesia and the abatement of the acute signs of anesthesia and surgery. The period after an operation, the patient’s condition after operation, or any investigations or treatment during this time.    

  • Pons

    The part of the central nervous system lying between the medulla oblongata and the mesencephalon, ventral to the cerebellum, and consisting of a pars dorsalis and a pars ventralis. A broad mass of nerve fibers on the ventral surface of the brain. That part of the central nervous system lying between the medulla oblongata and…

  • Polyploidy

    The chromosomal constitution of a cell containing multiples of the normal number of chromosomes; includes triploidy (symbol: 3N), tetraploidy (symbol: 4N), etc. The state of having three or more sets of chromosomes. A lethal kind of chromosomal abnormality in which a child has one or more extra full sets of chromosomes. A condition in which…

  • Polypeptide

    A peptide which on hydrolysis yields more than two amino acids; called tripeptides, tetrapeptides, etc. according to the number of amino acids contained. A chain of amino acids linked by peptide bonds. A string of amino acids in excess of eight. Molecule consisting of three or more amino acids; proteins are polypeptides. A substance composed…

  • Polymyxin

    Basic polypeptide antibiotic group obtained from Bacillus polymyxa. They affect the cell membrane by detergent action and may cause neuromuscular and kidney damage. At least eleven different members of the polymyxin group have been identified, each designated by a letter. Narrow spectrum bactericidal antibiotic active against Gram-negative bacilli, including particularly Pseudomonas, but excluding proteus; inactive…

  • Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)

    In vitro method for producing large amounts of specific DNA or RNA fragments of defined length and sequence from small amounts of short oligonucleotide flanking sequences (primers). The essential steps include thermal denaturation of the double-stranded target molecules, annealing of the primers to their complementary sequences, and extension of the annealed primers by enzymatic synthesis…