Glossary
- Page ID
- 211436
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\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)Words that use this definition, Excluded words can be specified with an "!" | The definition is case sensitive | (Optional) Image to display with the definition [Not displayed in Glossary, only in pop-up on pages] | (Optional) Caption for Image | (Optional) External or Internal Link | (Optional) Source for Definition | Source License | URL to Author |
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(Eg. "Genetic, Hereditary, !Jeans ...") | (Eg. "Relating to genes or heredity") | The infamous double helix | https://bio.libretexts.org/ | Delmar Larsen | CC BY-SA | https://libretexts.org/team.html |
Word(s) |
Definition |
Image | Caption | Link | Source | Source License | Source URL |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Death, Deaths, Multiple Deaths, Dying, !Deathstar |
An almost living being, especially an animal. \(1+1=2\) |
This is a death star | https://chem.libretexts.org/ | Delmar Larsen | CC BY-SA | https://libretexts.org/team.html | |
Genetics | The scientific study of genes and heredity, of how particular qualities or traits are transmitted from parents to offspring. | Delmar Larsen | CC BY-SA | https://libretexts.org/team.html | |||
Combinatorial Genetics | A research process in which scientists remove the genetic instructions for entire metabolic pathways from certain microorganisms, alter the instructions, and then put them back. | Delmar Larsen | CC BY-SA | https://libretexts.org/team.html | |||
ADME | Abbreviation for the four steps in a medicine's journey through the body: absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion. | Delmar Larsen | CC BY-SA | https://libretexts.org/team.html | |||
Agonist | A molecule that triggers a cellular response by interacting with a receptor. | Delmar Larsen | CC BY-SA | https://libretexts.org/team.html | |||
Analgesic | A medicine's ability to relieve pain, or a drug that alleviates pain; the term comes form the Greek word algos, which means pain. | Delmar Larsen | CC BY-SA | https://libretexts.org/team.html | |||
Antagonist | A molecule that prevents the action of other molecules, often by competing for a cellular receptor; opposite of agonist. | Delmar Larsen | CC BY-SA | https://libretexts.org/team.html | |||
Antibiotic | A substance that can kill or inhibit the growth of certain microorganisms. | Delmar Larsen | CC BY-SA | ||||
Antibody | A protein of the immune system, produced in response to an antigen (a foreign, often disease-causing, substance). | Delmar Larsen | |||||
Anti-inflammatory | A drug's ability to reduce inflammation, which can cause soreness and swelling. | Delmar Larsen | |||||
Antipyretic | Fever-reducing; the term comes from the Greek word pyresis, which means fire. | ||||||
Arachidonic acid | A molecule that synthesizes regulatory molecules such a prostaglandins; is found in fatty animal tissue and food such as egg yolk and live. | ||||||
Bacterium, Bacteria | One-celled organism without a nucleus that reproduces by cell division; can infect humans, plants, or animals. | ||||||
Cholesterol | A lipid unique to animal cells that is used in the construction of cell membranes and as a building block for some hormones. | ||||||
Chromosome | A structure in the cell nucleus that contains hereditary material (genes); humans have 23 pairs of chromosomes in each body cell, one of each pair from the mother and the other from the father. | ||||||
Clinical trial | A scientific study to determine the effects of potential medicines in people; usually conducted in three phases (I, II, III,), to determine whether the drug is safe, effective, and better than current therapies, respectively. | ||||||
Cyclooxygenase | An enzyme, also known as COX, that makes prostaglandins from a molecule called arachidonic acid; the molecular target to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. | ||||||
DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid), DNA, deoxyribonucleic acid | A double-stranded, helical molecule that encodes genetic information. | ||||||
Dose | The amount of medicine to be taken at one time. | ||||||
Immunotherapy | A medical treatment to stimulate a patient's immune system to attack and destroy disease-causing cells. | ||||||
Inflammation | The body's characteristic reaction to infection or injury, resulting in redness, swelling, heat, and pain. | ||||||
Bioavailability | The ability of a drug or other chemical to be taken up by the body and made available in the tissue where it is needed. | ||||||
Bioinformatics | A field of research that relies on computers to store and analyze large amounts of biological data. | ||||||
Biotechnology | The industrial use of living organisms or biological methods derived through basic research. | ||||||
Biotransformation | The conversion fo a substance from one form to another by the actions of organisms or enzymes. | ||||||
Blood-brain barrier | A blockade consisting of cells and small blood vessels that limits the movement of substances from the bloodstream into the brain. | ||||||
Carcinogen | Any substance that, when exposed to living tissue, may cause cancer. | ||||||
Cell | The basic subunit of any living organism; the simplest unit that can exist as an independent living system. | ||||||
Central nervous system | The brain and spinal cord. | ||||||
Chemical bond | Physical force holding atoms together to form a molecule. | ||||||
Chemical genetics | A research approach resembling genetics in which scientists custom-produce synthetic, protein-binding small molecules to explore biology. | ||||||
Dose-response curve | A graph drawn to show the relationship between the dose of a drug or other chemical and the effect it produces. | ||||||
Enzyme | A molecule (usually a protein) that speeds up, or catalyzes, a chemical reaction without being permanently altered or consumed. | ||||||
Essential fatty acid | A long, fat-containing molecule involved in human body processes that is synthesized by plants but not by the human body and is, therefore, a dietary requirement. | ||||||
First-pass effect | The breakdown of orally administered drugs in the liver and intestines. | ||||||
G protein | One of a group of switch proteins involved in a signaling system that passes incoming messages across cell membranes and within cells. | ||||||
Gene | A unit of heredity; a segment of a DNA molecule containing the code for making a protein or, sometimes, an RNA molecule. | ||||||
Genomics | The study of all of an organism's genetic material. | ||||||
Hormone | A messenger molecule that helps coordinate the actions of various tissues; made in one part of the body and transported, via the bloodstream, to tissues and organs elsewhere in the body. | ||||||
Model organism | A bacterium, animal, or plant used by scientists to study basic research questions; common model organisms include yeast, flies, worms, frogs, and fish. | ||||||
Monoclonal antibody | An antibody that recognizes only one type of antigen; sometimes used as immunotherapy to treat diseases such as cancer. | ||||||
NSAID (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug), NSAID, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug | Any of a class of drugs that reduces pain, fever, or inflammation by interfering with the synthesis of prostaglandins. | ||||||
Informed consent | The agreement of a person (or his or her legally authorized representative) to serve as a research subject, with full knowledge of all anticipated risks and benefits of the experiment. | ||||||
Kinase | An enzyme that adds phosphate groups to proteins. | ||||||
Neurotransmitter | A chemical messenger that allows neurons (nerve cells) to communicate with each other and with other cells. | ||||||
Lipid | A fatty, waxy, or oily molecule that will not dissolve in water; it contains hydrogen, carbon, and oxygen. | ||||||
Nucleus | The membrane-bound structure within a cell that contains most of the cell's genetic material. | ||||||
Liposome | Oily, microscopic capsules designed to package and deliver biological cargo, such as drugs, to cells in the body. | ||||||
Organelle | A specialized, membrane-bound structure that has a defined cellular function; for example, the nucleus. | ||||||
Membrane | A thin covering surrounding a cell and separating it from the environment; consists of a double layer of molecules called phospholipids and has proteins embedded in it. | ||||||
Peptide | A small protein fragment. | ||||||
Pharmacodynamics | The study of how drugs act at target sites of action in the body. | ||||||
Metabolism | All enzyme-catalyzed reactions in a living organism that builds and breaks down organic molecules, producing or consuming energy in the process. | ||||||
Pharmacogenetics | The study of how people's genes affect their response to medicines. | ||||||
Metabolite | A chemical intermediate in metabolic reactions; a product of metabolism. | ||||||
Pharmacokinetics | The study of how the body absorbs, distributes, breaks down, and eliminates drugs. | ||||||
Pharmacologist | A scientist focusing on pharmacology. | ||||||
Recombinant DNA technology | Modern techniques in molecular biology to manipulate an organism's genes by introducing, eliminating, or changing genes. | ||||||
Pharmacology | The study of how drugs interact with living systems. | ||||||
RNA (ribonucleic acid), RNA, Ribonucleic Acid | A molecule that serves as an intermediate step in the synthesis of proteins from instructions coded in DNA; some RNA molecules also perform regulatory functions in cells and viruses. | ||||||
Pharmacy | An area in the health sciences that deals with the preparation, dispensing, and appropriate use of medicines. | ||||||
Sepsis | A clinical condition in which infectious agents (bacteria, fungi) or products of infection (bacterial toxins) enter the blood and profoundly affect body systems. | ||||||
Physiology | The study of how living organisms function. | ||||||
Side effect | The effect of a drug, other than the desired effect, sometimes in an organ other than the target organ. | ||||||
Prostaglandins | Any of a class of hormone-like, fat-soluble, regulatory molecules made from fatty acids such as arachidonic acid; prostaglandins participate in diverse body functions, and their production is blocked by NSAIDs. | ||||||
Signal transduction | The process by which a hormone or growth factor outside the cell transmits a message into the cell. | ||||||
Protein | A large molecule composed of one or more chains of amino acids (the building blocks of proteins) in a specific order and a folded shape determined by the sequence of nucleotides in the gene encoding the protein; essential for all life processes. | ||||||
Site of action | The place in the body where a drug exerts its effects. | ||||||
Proteomics | The systematic, large-scale study of all proteins in an organism. | ||||||
Steroid | A type of molecule that has a multiple ring structure, with the rings sharing molecules of carbon. | ||||||
Receptor | A specialized molecule that receives information from the environment and conveys it to other parts of the cell; the information is transmitted by a specific chemical that must fit the receptor, like a key in a lock. | ||||||
Structural biology | A field of study dedicated to determining the three-dimensional structures of biological molecules to better understand the function of these molecules. | ||||||
Therapeutic drug | A drug used to treat a disease or condition; contrast with drug of abuse. | ||||||
Toxicology | The study of how poisonous substances interact with living organisms. | ||||||
Virus | An infectious agent composed of a protein coat around a DNA or RNA core; to reproduce, viruses depend on living cells. | ||||||
X-ray crystallography | A technique used to determine the detailed, three-dimensional structure of molecules based on the scattering of X rays through a crystal of the molecule. |