Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.

The combining of cell contents of two or more cells to become a single cell. Fertilization is such a process (fusing of gametes’ cells).  

The various growth factors and other proteins which cause/assist in cell differentiation.  

The in vitro (i.e., outside of body, in a test tube) propagation of cells isolated from living organisms. A technique for studying cells from specific tissues. After isolation, the cells are grown in media containing all the known ingredients essential for their support. Different cell types may have different requirements. The process of growing cells…

Proteins produced by certain white blood cells [called cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) or killer T cells]. The proteins allow lysis (i.e., bursting) of infected cells. Cecrophins are amphopathic (i.e., contain both a hydrophobic region and a hydrophilic region); and work by “worming” the hydrophobic portion into the cell membrane (so the hydrophobic portion of the…

Also called APO-l/Fas, it is a transmembrane protein (embedded within the surface membrane of the cell) that transmits apoptosis (“programmed” cell death) “signal” into cells. Transduction of that apoptosis signal occurs when certain ligands or antigens (i.e., the APO-l/Fas antigen) bind to the extracellular (i.e., portion outside of cell membrane) part (i.e., receptor) of the…

One of the adhesion molecules (embedded in the surface of the linings of blood vessels) that assists the neutrophils on their journey from the bloodstream through the walls of blood vessels (e.g., to combat pathogens into adjacent tissues). Tumor cells also exploit CD44 molecules in order to metastasize (spread throughout the body’s tissue from a…

An adhesion molecule (protein) imbedded in the outer wall (envelope) of human immune system and brain cells that functions as the receptor (door to entry into the cell) for the HIV (AIDS) virus. The gpl20 envelope glycoprotein of the HIV (i.e., AIDS virus) directly interacts with the CD4 protein on the surface of helper T…

A promoter (sequence of DNA) that is often utilized in genetic engineering to control expression of (inserted) gene; i.e., synthesis of desired protein in a plant.  

The site (geometric area) on an enzyme molecule (or other catalyst) that is actually involved in the catalytic process. The catalytic site usually consists of a small portion of the total area of the enzyme.  

An antibody that is produced (e.g., via monoclonal antibody techniques) in response to a carefully selected antigen (e.g., target molecule in bloodstream, or molecule involved in chemical reaction of interest) which itself catalyzes the “splitting” of a molecule in the bloodstream (e.g., heroin into two harmless small molecules) or mimics: Restriction endonucleases that cleave (cut)…