Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.

  • Housekeeping gene

    A gene expressed in nearly every cell and every tissue of an organism, i.e., one that encodes a protein fundamental to cellular activity throughout the organism.  

  • Homeobox gene

    Any transcription factor that regulates the growth, differentiation, replication, and movement of cells in the body. These genes influence both normal and abnormal embyological development and the development or suppression of malignant tumors.  

  • Histocompatibility gene

    One of the genes composing the HLA complex that determines the histocompatibility antigenic markers on all nucleated cells. These genes create the antigens by which the immune system recognizes “self’ and determines the “non-self’ nature of pathogens and other foreign antigens. These antigens are crucial determinants of the success or failure of organ transplantation.  

  • Mistaken gender identification

    Assignment of incorrect gender to a newborn. This may lead to the individual’s having a gender role opposite of the chromosomal sex.  

  • Gemistocyte

    In the central nervous system, a swollen astrocyte with an eccentric nucleus, seen adjacent to areas of edema or infarct.  

  • Gemella morbillorum

    A gram-positive coccus formerly classified in the genus Streptococcus; it is a cause of septic arthritis, endocarditis, oral abscesses, and peritonitis.  

  • Gelosis

    A hard lump that is so firm as to appear frozen. It occurs especially in muscle tissue.  

  • Gelling

    In arthritis, becoming stiff and fixed in any position in which movement does not occur for a prolonged period.  

  • Gelation

    The transformation of a colloid from a sol into a gel.  

  • Gelatinase

    Metalloproteinases that cleave gelatin, or nondenatured collagen. Two forms of gelatinase, A and B, have been identified. Gelatinase A (MMP-2) has a molecular weight of about 72,000, and gelatinase B (MMP-9) has a molecular weight of about 92,000. Both are involved in cancer angiogenesis and metastasis and are blocked by a variety of naturally occurring…

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