Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.

Glycogen storage disease, type III, an inherited disease where a mutation has occurred in the gene for the glycogen debranching enzyme (amylo 1,6 glucosidase). It is characterized by excess stored branched glycogen.  

A cycle which occurs between the red blood cell, kidneys, muscle, platelets, and the liver and which helps maintain a normal blood glucose level in the face of changes in lactate production. Cori cycle activity is particularly important during exercise as the working muscle is unable to oxidize all the lactate it produces. The muscle…

Coenzyme Q also called ubiquinone, is a carrier of hydrogen ions and electrons in the mitochondrial electron transport chain. It transfers electrons between the flavoproteins and the cytochromes. It is nonpolar and can diffuse through the mitochondrial membrane. It is the only component of the respiratory chain that is not fixed. All the other components…

Copra is ground coconut meal from which coconut oil is extracted. Coconut oil is rich in medium- chain saturated fatty acids but does not contain the essential fatty acids. It is one of the group of fats called tropical oils. While solid at 70°F they are liquid at 85°F.  

Provision of insulin 24 hours daily via a small pump worn by an individual that contains a needle attached under the skin.  

Contamination of food with inorganic contaminants, including the corresponding organometallic complexes. The most important contaminants are mercury, cadmium, and lead. The major types of food involved are cereal grains (bread, flour), meats (beef, pork, beef liver, canned meats, sausages), fish (canned salmon, shellfish, whitefish), dairy products (milk, cheese, butter), fruits, vegetables (fresh and canned), eggs…

A change in amino acid residue in a protein to one with similar properties. For example, the substitution of isoleucine for leucine or aspartate for glutamate.  

Meal preparation technique in which each menu item is individually pureed and then presented either separately or in a casserole.  

Combination of substances with common sites of main action and interaction between the components. An example is the protection against goitrogens of the thiocarbamate type (e.g., goitrin) by iodine treatment. The goitrogens prevent the incorporation of iodine into tyrosine, the first step in thyroid hormone biosynthesis.  

The pairing of purine and pyrmidine bases of the DNA. Adenine is paired with thymine and cytosine with guanine. These pairs are linked together via hydrogen bonds, which form the cross-links between the two strands of DNA for the double helix typical of the nuclear genetic material. In RNA, adenine pairs with uracil.