Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.
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Aerobic
In biochemistry, reactions that need oxygen to happen or happen when oxygen is present. Aerobic microorganisms (aerobes) are those that require oxygen for growth; obligate aerobes cannot survive in the absence of oxygen. The opposite are anaerobic organisms, which do not require oxygen for growth; obligate anaerobes cannot survive in the presence of oxygen. Aerobic…
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Adverse Effect
An unwanted side effect of treatment.
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Adsorptive
It captures volatile compounds by binding them to agents such as activated carbon or adsorptive resins.
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Adjuvant
A substance which aids another, such as an auxiliary remedy; in immunology, nonspecific stimulator (e.g., BCG vaccine) of the immune response. Term used to describe an agent or technique that enhances the effectiveness of the primary treatment. Any compound that enhances the effectiveness (i.e., weed-killing ability) of a given herbicide. For example, adjuvants such as…
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Adhesives
Substances that cause the adherence of two surfaces. They include glues (properly collagen-derived adhesives), mucilages, sticky pastes, gums, resins, or latex.
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Adenylate Cyclase
An enzyme of the lyase class that catalyzes the formation of cyclic AMP and pyrophosphate from ATP. An enzyme located on the inner surface of many cell membranes; it is important in mediating biochemical changes in the cell in response to drug and hormone stimulation (SYN: adenyl cyclase). An enzyme important in the synthesis of…
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Adenine
A purine base and a fundamental unit of adenine nucleotides. A nucleotide, one of the purine bases of the nucleic acids (DNA and RNA). The compound formed between adenine and ribose is the nucleoside adenosine, and can form four phosphorylated derivatives important in metabolism: adenosine monophosphate (AMP, also known as adenylic acid); adenosine diphosphate (ADP);…
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Adaptability
Ability to develop some form of tolerance to conditions extremely different from those under which a living organism evolved. Flexibility in meeting changed circumstances.
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Acute leukemia
A rapidly progressing cancer of the blood-forming tissue (bone marrow). Cancer of the blood found chiefly in children responds more readily to treatment than chronic leukemia Treatment consists of chemotherapy and radiation therapy Death usually results from infections or hemorrhage. This variety occurs most frequently in children up to the age of five years, though…
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Actinomyces
A genus of gram-positive, rod-shaped bacteria whose organisms are nonmotile. Filaments that may be present in certain species are either straight or wavy and may have swollen or clubbed heads. Anaerobic or micro-aerophilic Gram-positive mycelial bacteria, rarely branching, associated with actinomycosis in man and animals. In pus or tissue the bacteria form colonies simulating sulphur…
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