Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.

An extremely toxic class of compounds that can be lethal on inhaling of ingesting in minute quantities. A poison which kills very rapidly when drunk or inhaled. A metabolic poison. It blocks the transport of reducing equivalents from complex III to com¬ plex IV of the respiratory chain in the mitochondria and blocks complex IV…

Any liquid or solid preparation made specifically for the growth, storage, or transport of microorganisms or other types of cells. The variety of media that exist allow for the culturing of specific microorganisms and cell types, such as differential media, selective media, test media, and defined media. Solid media consist of liquid media that have…

Signals for an action; that specific portion of a perceptual field or pattern of stimuli to which a subject has learned to respond. A specialized form of communication to instigate action. A signal to class participants that might indicate a transition, provide information on safety or form, offer motivation, share feedback, involve imagery, or encourage…

A genus of coccidian parasites of the family Cryptosporidiidae, found in the intestinal epithelium of many vertebrates including humans. A parasite which contaminates drinking water supplies, causing intestinal infection. A microscopic parasite that lives in the intestines of humans and animals and causes cryptosporidiosis. Cryptosporidium is carried in animals without symptoms, particularly in cattle, deer,…

Infection with a fungus of the species Cryptococcus neoformans. A fungal infectious disease often found in the lungs of AIDS patients. It characteristically spreads to the meninges and may also spread to the kidneys and skin. It is due to the fungus Cryptococcus neoformans. An infection mainly affecting the brain or neryous system, caused by…

The exchange of corresponding segments between chromatids of homologous chromosomes during meiosia, forming a chiasma. The reciprocal exchange of material between chromosomes that occurs during meiosis. The event is responsible for genetic recombination. The process involves the natural breaking of chromosomes, the exchange of chromosome pieces, and the reuniting of DNA molecules. In genetics, an…

Health care provided to a critically ill patient during a medical emergency or crisis. Assessing and treating the health of a person at immediate risk of dying. Critical care, also known as intensive care, covers the whole process of treating seriously ill patients. A term applied to exceptionally intensive care, usually delivered in the intensive…

Traumatic injuries involving the cranium and intracranial structures (i.e., brain; cranial nerves; meninges; and other structures). Injuries may be classified by whether or not the skull is penetrated (i.e., penetrating vs. nonpenetrating) or whether there is an associated hemorrhage.  

Pertaining to the cranium, or to the anterior (in animals) or superior (in humans) end of the body. Referring to the head, brain, or portion of the skull bones that encloses the brain.  

Presence of a thrombus in a coronary artery, often causing a myocardial infarction. An obstruction, generally a blood clot, within a coronary artery which hinders the flow of blood to a part of the heart. The formation of a blood clot on the rough inner surfaces of the atherosclerotic plaque. A blood clot which blocks…