Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.

Glucose in blood. Normal fasting level ranges between 80 and 120 mg/dL or 4 and 6 mmol/L. Glucose is a six-carbon sugar, which mainly appears in the body as a result of the ingestion of dietary sources containing carbohydrates. Normal blood glucose is approximately 70 to 110 mg/dl, which is the level required for normal…

The process of the interaction of blood coagulation factors that results in an insoluble fibrin clot. Process by which liquid blood is changed into a semisolid mass, a blood clot. It can occur in an intact blood vessel, but usually starts with an injury and the exposure of blood. Platelets clump at the wound site.…

A fungal infection that may appear in two forms: 1) a primary lesion characterized by the formation of a small cutaneous nodule and small nodules along the lymphatics that may heal within several months; and 2) chronic granulomatous lesions characterized by thick crusts, warty growths, and unusual vascularity and infection in the middle or upper…

The chemical alteration of an exogenous substance by or in a biological system. The alteration may inactivate the compound or it may result in the production of an active metabolite of an inactive parent compound. The alteration may be either non-synthetic (oxidation-reduction, hydrolysis) or synthetic (glucuronide formation, sulfate conjugation, acetylation, methylation). This also includes metabolic…

Body of knowledge related to the use of organisms, cells or cell-derived constituents for the purpose of developing products which are technically, scientifically and clinically useful. Alteration of biologic function at the molecular level (i.e., genetic engineering) is a central focus; laboratory methods used include transfection and cloning technologies, sequence and structure analysis algorithms, computer…

The building up of a chemical compound in the physiologic processes of a living organism. Manufacture of chemical compounds by a living organism. The act of transferring energy from one substance to another, thereby causing an increase in the potential energy of the receiving substances. Biochemical synthesis refers to the process by which living organisms…

The movement of materials (including biochemical substances and drugs) across cell membranes and epithelial layers, usually by passive diffusion.  

Relating to biochemistry; characterized by, produced by, or involving chemical reactions in living organisms. The chemical reactions that occur within a living organism. Refers to chemical and physiological processes that take place in the body.  

The degree to which a drug or other substance becomes available to the target tissue after administration. The proportion of a substance that, once entered into the body’s circulation, is effectively used for biological activity. Fraction of an ingested nutrient that is absorbed and used for a defined function in the body. The extent to…