Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.
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Calcium oxalate
A crystalline salt that is normally deposited in the cells of many plants. In many animals, calcium oxalate is excreted in the urine, or retained by the animal’s body in the form of urinary calculi. A calcium-containing compound present in urine in crystalline form. It is a constituent of some kidney stones.
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Calcium channel-blockers
Drugs (e.g., verapamil or nifedipine) that are used to slow down calcium movement through cell membranes. This leads to dilation of the blood vessels and reduces the heart’s workload. Blood vessels need calcium to contract (causing flow constriction and hence an increase in blood pressure), so the drug-induced shortage of available calcium causes the body’s…
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Cadherins
A class of adhesion molecules that function as cellular adhesion receptors. One of several cellular adhesion molecules, i.e., molecules that hold cells together. In cancer cells, mutations in cadherins keep cells from sticking together normally. As a result, malignant cells grow irregularly, invade other tissues, and metastasize to distant locations.
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C-DNA
Also known as copy DNA. A helical form of DNA. It occurs when DNA fibers are maintained in 66 percent relative humidity in the presence of lithium ions. It has fewer base pairs per turn than B-DNA.
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C Value
The total amount of DNA in a haploid genome.
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Bundesgesundheitsamt (BGA)
German Federal Health Organization. The German Government agency that must approve new pharmaceutical products for sale within Germany, it is the equivalent of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
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Buffy coat (cells)
The layer of white blood cells (leukocytes) that separates out when blood is subjected to centrifugation. A light stratum of blood seen when the blood is centrifuged or allowed to stand in a test tube. The red blood cells settle to the bottom and, between the plasma and the red blood cells, a light-colored layer…
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B.t. tenebrionis
One of the approximately 30 subspecies groupings within the approximately 20,000 different strains of the soil bacteria known (collectively) as Bacillus thuringiensis (B.t.). When eaten (e.g., as part of a genetically engineered plant), the protoxin proteins produced by B.t. tenebrionis are toxic to certain insects.
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Bt. kurstaki
One of the approximately 30 subspecies groupings within the approximately 20,000 different strains of the soil bacteria known (collectively) as Bacillus thuringiensis (B.t.). When eaten (e.g., as part of a genetically engineered plant), the protoxin proteins produced by B.t. kurstaki are toxic to certain caterpillars (Lepidoptera larvae), such as the European corn borer (pyralis).
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BJ. israelensis
One of the approximately 30 subspecies groupings within the approximately 20,000 different strains of the soil bacteria known (collectively) as Bacillus thuringiensis (B.t.). When eaten (e.g., due to presence on food), the protoxin proteins produced by B.t. israelensis are toxic to mosquitoes and black fly (Diptera) larvae.
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