Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.

Describing the sex that produces only one kind of gamete, which carries the same sex chromosome, and that therefore does not determine the sex of the offspring. In humans women are the homogametic sex: each egg cell carries an X chromosome.  

A specially trained therapist who works with public health nurses and other health professionals in providing bedside care to patients at home. The patients receiving such care generally are medically indigent persons suffering a chronic illness. An operative affiliated with a domiciliary care establishment, offering analogous assistance to a patient within the confines of their…

The liver of a patient with cirrhosis, which has a knobby appearance caused by regenerating nodules separated by bands of fibrous tissue. Degeneration of the liver characterized by fatty changes, fibrous scarring, nodular degeneration, and atrophy of the liver with the surface covered with brown or yellow nodules. This condition is seen in chronic alcoholism…

A preparation of antigenic material from a culture of the fungus Histoplasma capsulatum, used to test for the presence of the disease histoplasmosis by subcutaneous injection. An antigen prepared from cultures of Histoplasma capsulatum and used as a skin test for the diagnosis of histoplasmosis.  

A genus of parasitic yeast-like fungi. The species H. capsulatum causes the respiratory infection histoplasmosis.  

An enzyme, widely distributed in the body, that is responsible for the inactivation of histamine.    

A genus of small flies. The adults of H. pallipes are suspected of transmitting yaws in the West Indies. Other species of Hippelates may be involved in the transmission of conjunctivitis.  

The amino derivative of a hexose sugar. The two most important hexosamines are glucosamine and galactosamine. A sugar containing an amino group in place of a hydroxyl group (e.g., glucosamine).  

An enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of glucose to glucose-6-phosphate. This is the first stage of glycolysis.  

An intermediate-acting ‘barbiturate administered by mouth to treat insomnia. Prolonged use can lead to dependence.