Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.

The action of a drug that may affect the activity, metabolism, or toxicity of another drug. The effects of two or more drugs taken concomitantly, producing an alteration in the usual effects of either drug taken alone. The interacting drugs may have a potentiating or additive effect and produce side effects. An example of drug…

The molecular designing of drugs for specific purposes (such as DNA-binding, enzyme inhibition, anti-cancer efficacy, etc.) based on knowledge of molecular properties such as activity of functional groups, molecular geometry, and electronic structure, and also on information cataloged on analogous molecules. Drug design is generally computer-assisted molecular modeling and does not include pharmacokinetics, dosage analysis,…

Systems of administering drugs through controlled delivery so that an optimum amount reaches the target site. Drug delivery systems encompass the carrier, route, and target.  

A state of internal activity of an organism that is a necessary condition before a given stimulus will elicit a class of responses; e.g., a certain level of hunger (drive) must be present before food will elicit an eating response. Basic urge, instinct, motivation; a term used to avoid confusion with the more purely biological…

In genetics, the full phenotypic expression of a gene in both heterozygotes and homozygotes. In psychological terms, a predisposition to play a prominent or controlling role when interacting with others. In neurology, the (normal) tendency of one-half of the brain to be more important than the other in mediating various functions (cerebral dominance). In genetics,…

A reagent commonly used in biochemical studies as a protective agent to prevent the oxidation of SH (thiol) groups and for reducing disulphides to dithiols.  

A covalent bridge formed by the oxidation of two cysteine residues to a cystine residue. The-S-S-bond is very strong and its presence confers additional stability.  

Sudden temporary alterations in the normally integrative functions of consciousness. In dsm-iv-tr, this category includes dissociative amnesia, dissociative fugue, dissociative identity disorder (did; multiple personality disorder), depersonalization disorder, and dissociative disorder not otherwise specified. Category of disorders in DSM-III- R in which there is a sudden, temporary alteration in normally integrated functions of consciousness, identity,…

The act of separating or state of being separated. The separation of a molecule into two or more fragments (atoms, molecules, ions, or free radicals) produced by the absorption of light or thermal energy or by solvation. In psychology, a defense mechanism in which a group of mental processes are segregated from the rest of…

Cutting up of an organism for study. The action of cutting and separating parts of a body or an organ as part of a surgical operation, an autopsy or a course of study. Separation of body tissues, usually along natural divisions, by cutting or probing, for visual or microscopic examination. Surgical removal or extensive incision.…