Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.

Positively charged particles composed of two protons and two neutrons, i.e., helium nuclei, emitted during disintegration of very heavy isotopes; a beam of alpha particles or an alpha ray has very strong ionizing power, but weak penetrability. A particle, identical to the nucleus of a helium atom, emitted by some radioactive materials. A particle emitted…

A procedure in which a person receives stem cells, the cells from which all blood cells develop, from a compatible, though not genetically identical, donor. The replacement of an individual’s defective bone marrow with the bone marrow or stem cells of a healthy donor. Stem cells (cells from which the different types of blood cells…

Highly reactive chemicals that introduce alkyl radicals into biologically active molecules and thereby prevent their proper functioning. Many are used as antineoplastic agents, but most are very toxic, with carcinogenic, mutagenic, teratogenic, and immunosuppressant actions. They have also been used as components in poison gases. Cell poisons used in treating cancer. They are believed to…

Having the reactions of an alkali. In our context, a substance having a pH above that of neutral water (7.0) when in solution. Signified as pH (potential of Hydrogen), alkaline fluids, such as the blood, have the ability to neutralize acids. metabolic wastes are acids, and the alkaline reserve of the blood neutralizes them until…

Pertaining to food or nutritive material, or to the organs of digestion.  

Organic compounds containing a carbonyl group in the form -CHO. A group of substances derived from the primary alcohols by oxidation. Oxidation product of a primary alcohol; it has the characteristic group-CHO.  

A non-essential amino acid that occurs in high levels in its free state in plasma. It is produced from pyruvate by transamination. It is involved in sugar and acid metabolism, increases immunity, and provides energy for muscle tissue, brain, and the central nervous system. A non-essential amino acid. A nonessential amino acid of the pyruvic…

A complex sulfated polymer of galactose units, extracted from Gelidium cartilagineum, Gracilaria confervoides, and related red algae. It is used as a gel in the preparation of solid culture media for microorganisms, as a bulk laxative, in making emulsions, and as a supporting medium for immunodiffusion and immunoelectrophoresis. A gelatinous colloid used for culture medium…

In affinity chromatography, a ligand attached to a column binds specifically to the molecule to be purified. A method of separating a mixture of proteins or nucleic acids (molecules) by specific interactions of those molecules with a component known as a ligand, which is immobilized on a support. If a solution of, say, a mixture…

Inherent likeness or relationship. A special attraction for a specific element, organ, or structure. Chemical affinity; the force that binds atoms in molecules; the tendency of substances to combine by chemical reaction. The strength of noncovalent chemical binding between two substances as measured by the dissociation constant of the complex. In immunology, a thermodynamic expression…