Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.

The removal of organic and inorganic sulfur (a pollution source) from coal by bacterial and soil microorganisms.  

Any chemical or chemical compound that is toxic to living things (systems). Literally “biokiller” or killer of biological systems. Includes insecticides, bactericides, fungicides, etc. An agent that destroys life. A substance which kills living organisms. A substance, especially a pesticide or an antibiotic, that destroys living organisms.  

An electronic device that uses biological molecules as the framework for other molecules that act as semiconductors, and functions as an integrated circuit. The future working parts of the science of bioelectronics, biochips may consist of two- or three-dimensional arrays of organic molecules used as switching or memory elements. If biochip technology proves to be…

One of the interferons, it is a protein that was approved by America’s Food & Drug Administration (FDA) in 1993 to be used to treat multiple sclerosis (MS) disease. Encounter a particular type of interferon, a naturally occurring protein produced by the cells of the body. This specific type of interferon is occasionally employed in…

An extended, zig-zag arrangement of a polypeptide (molecule) chain.  

Insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. If these cells are destroyed, childhood (also known as early-onset or Type I) diabetes results. A type of cell found in the islets of Langerhans, in the pancreas, which produces insulin. Insulin-producing cells found in the islands of Langerhans of the pancreas. Basophilic cells in the anterior lobe of pituitary…

A statistical (data) technique that is utilized by livestock breeders to determine the breeding (genetic trait) value of animals in a breeding program.  

The name of a promoter (region of DNA) that controls/enhances an oilseed plant’s gene(s) that code for components (e.g., fatty acids, amino acids, etc.) of that plant’s seeds. The Bce4 promoter causes such genes to be expressed during one of the earliest stages of canola plant’s seed production, for instance.  

Also called basophilic leukocytes. A type of white blood cell that synthesizes and stores histamine and also contains heparin. When two IgE molecules of the same antibody “dock” at adjacent receptor sites on a basophil cell, the two IgE molecules capture an allergen between them. A chemical signal is sent to the basophil causing the…

Staining strongly with basic dye. For example, basophil leukocytes are polymorphonuclear leukocytes which stain strongly with (take up a lot of) basic dyes. Literally, base-loving. Cells or cellular components that stain readily with basic dyes. To basophils or to the propensity to stain with basic dyes.