Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.

120-kD HIV envelope glycoprotein which is involved in the binding of the virus to its membrane receptor, the CD4 molecule, found on the surface of certain cells in the body.  

The group in which legal authority is vested for the control of health-related institutions and organizations. A common term for the hospital’s governing body, the body which is legally responsible for the hospital’s policies, organization, management, and quality of care. “Board” is short for “board of trustees,” “board of directors,” or “board of governors.” It…

The water-soluble follicle stimulating substance, by some believed to originate in chorionic tissue, obtained from the serum of pregnant mares. It is used to supplement the action of estrogens. A hormone that stimulates the testes and the ovaries to function. Male reproductive hormone: (a) follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), secreted by the anterior pituitary gland which stimulates…

Pertaining to a gonad.  

Cells of the epithelial lining that produce and secrete mucins. Cells within the epithelial lining of the airways that produce the mucus required for cleaning these passages. A tube-shaped cell in the epithelium which secretes mucus. A column-shaped secretory cell found in the epithelium of the respiratory and intestinal tracts. Goblet cells secrete the principal…

Enzymes that catalyze the transfer of glycosyl groups to an acceptor. Most often another carbohydrate molecule acts as an acceptor, but inorganic phosphate can also act as an acceptor, such as in the case of phosphorylases. Some of the enzymes in this group also catalyze hydrolysis, which can be regarded as transfer of a glycosyl…

The chemical or biochemical addition of carbohydrate or glycosyl groups to other chemicals, especially peptides or proteins. Glycosyl transferases are used in this biochemical reaction. Addition of oligosaccharide units (e.g., to protein molecules). The oligosaccharide units are linked to either asparagine side chains by N-glycosidic bonds or to serine and threonine -side chains by O-glycosidic…

Polysaccharide that is the principal form in which carbohydrates are stored in the body. Stored primarily in the liver and in muscle, glycogen is readily broken down to glucose when needed by the body. A carbohydrate made up of glucose. Glycogen is the principal form in which carbohydrate is stored in the body, the same…

A non-essential amino acid. It is found primarily in gelatin and silk fibroin and used therapeutically as a nutrient. It is also a fast inhibitory neurotransmitter. A non-essential amino acid, chemically the simplest of the amino acids, it is amino- acetic acid, CH2NFI2COOH. Glycine is a nonessential amino acid synthesized from serine. Glycine, along with…

An enzyme catalyzing the oxidation of 2 moles of glutathione in the presence of hydrogen peroxide to yield oxidized glutathione and water. The general name of an enzyme family with peroxidase activity whose main biological role is to protect the organism from oxidative damage. A group of selenium- containing enzymes that protect tissues from oxidative…