Copy of `mondofacto - Online Medical Dictionary`

The wordlist doesn't exist anymore, or, the website doesn't exist anymore. On this page you can find a copy of the original information. The information may have been taken offline because it is outdated.


 mondofacto - Online Medical Dictionary
Category: Health and Medicine > Medical Dictionary
Date & country: 26/01/2008, UK
Words: 116197


speciation
The evolutionary process by which diverse species of animals or plants are formed from a common ancestral stock. ... (05 Mar 2000) ...

species
A taxonomic category subordinate to a genus (or subgenus) and superior to a subspecies or variety, composed of individuals possessing common characters distinguishing them from other categories of individuals of the same taxonomic level. In taxonomic nomenclature, species are designated by the genus name followed by a Latin or Latinised adjective o …

species area curve
The curve on a graph produced when plotting the cumulative number of plant species found in a series of quadrats against the cumulative number or area of those quadrats, it is used to determine the number of quadrats sufficient to adequately survey the herbaceous understory. ... (09 Oct 1997) ...

species group
<zoology> The taxonomic categories species and subspecies. ... (09 Jan 1998) ...

species indeterminata
<zoology> Undetermined species, one not identifiable with the description for a name already published. Usually given with a generic name only. ... (09 Jan 1998) ...

species inquirendum
<zoology> A species to be queried, a doubtfully identified species requiring further investigation. ... (09 Jan 1998) ...

species specificity
Restriction of a characteristic or response to the members of one species; it usually refers to that property of the immune response which differentiates one species from another on the basis of antigen recognition, but the concept is not limited to immunology and is used loosely at levels higher than the species. ... (12 Dec 1998) ...

species tolerance
The insensitivity to a particular drug exhibited by a particular species. ... (05 Mar 2000) ...

species-specific
Applying only to a particular species, said of effects that vary depending on the species in question. ... (09 Oct 1997) ...

species-specific antigen
Antigenic components in the tissues and fluids of members of a species of animal, by means of which various species may be immunologically distinguished; e.g., serum albumin of horses is immunologically different from that of man, dogs, sheep, and so on. ... (05 Mar 2000) ...

specific
1. Pertaining to a species. ... 2. Produces by a single kind of microorganism. ... 3. A remedy specially indicated for any particular disease. ... 4. <immunology> Pertaining to the special affinity of antigen for the corresponding antibody. ... Origin: L. Specificus ... (18 Nov 1997) ...

specific absorbance
Absorbance per unit of concentration. ... See: specific absorption coefficient. ... (05 Mar 2000) ...

specific absorption coefficient
Absorbance (of light) per unit path length (usually the centimeter) and per unit of mass concentration. ... Compare: molar absorption coefficient. ... Synonym: absorbancy index, absorptivity, extinction coefficient, specific extinction. ... (05 Mar 2000) ...

specific action
The action of a drug or a method of treatment which has a direct and especially curative effect upon a disease, e.g., the action of vitamin B12 in pernicious anaemia. ... (05 Mar 2000) ...

specific active immunity
See: acquired immunity. ... (05 Mar 2000) ...

specific activity
1. <chemistry> The number of activity units (whatever is appropriate) per unit of mass, volume or molarity. ... 2. <radiobiology> Total activity of a given nuclide per gram of a compound, element or radioactive nuclide. Perhaps most often usage, in the context of radiochemicals, the number of microcuries per micromole. ... (16 Dec 1997)
specific anergy
Synonym for positive anergy ... A reduction of the normal or usual immunologic response resulting from a reaction to a specific allergen. ... Synonym: specific anergy. ... (05 Mar 2000) ...

specific antigens
Antigen's that characterise a single genus of microorganisms. ... (05 Mar 2000) ...

specific antiserum
See: antiserum. ... (05 Mar 2000) ...

specific capsular substance
A soluble type-specific polysaccharide produced during active growth of virulent pneumococci composing a large part of the capsule. ... Synonym: pneumococcal polysaccharide, soluble specific substance, specific soluble polysaccharide, specific soluble sugar. ... (05 Mar 2000) ...

specific cause
A cause the action of which definitely produces the condition in question. ... (05 Mar 2000) ...

specific cholinesterase
Synonym for acetylcholinesterase ... <enzyme, neurology, physiology> An enzyme that breaks down unused acetylcholine in the synaptic cleft (the space between neurons), this enzyme is necessary to restore the synaptic cleft so it is ready to transmit the next nerve impulse. ... (06 May 1997) ...

specific compliance
The compliance of a structure divided by its initial volume, more specifically for the lungs, the compliance divided by the functional residual capacity. ... (05 Mar 2000) ...

specific disease
A disease produced by the action of a special pathogenic microorganism. ... (05 Mar 2000) ...

specific dynamic action
The increase of heat production caused by the ingestion of food, especially of protein. ... (05 Mar 2000) ...

specific epithet
The label (or designation) of a particular species in the binomial nomenclature system. For example: coli is the specific epithet of Escherichia coli. ... (09 Oct 1997) ...

specific extinction
Synonym for specific absorption coefficient ... Absorbance (of light) per unit path length (usually the centimeter) and per unit of mass concentration. ... Compare: molar absorption coefficient. ... Synonym: absorbancy index, absorptivity, extinction coefficient, specific extinction. ... (05 Mar 2000) ...

specific granule
One of the two main classes of granules found in neutrophils: contain lactoferrin, lysozyme, Vitamin B12 binding protein and elastase. Are released more readily than the azurophil (primary) granules which have typical lysosmal contents. ... (18 Nov 1997) ...

specific gravity
A measure of concentration. It is the weight of a substance, as compared (as a ratio) with that of an equal volume of water. ... (27 Sep 1997) ...

specific haemolysin
A sensitizing, complement-fixing, haemolytic antibody that reacts totally or completely with red blood cells of the antigenic type used to stimulate the formation of the haemolysin. ... (05 Mar 2000) ...

specific heat
The amount of energy (measured in calories or joules) needed to raise thetemperature of one gram of a pure substance by one degree C. ... (09 Oct 1997) ...

specific heat capacity
<chemistry> The amount of energy required to raise the temperature of one gram of a substance by one degree Celsius (or Kelvin). ... (09 Jan 1998) ...

specific immune globulin
Globulin fraction of pooled serums (or plasma) selected for high titre of antibodies specific for a particular antigen, or from persons specifically immunised. ... (05 Mar 2000) ...

specific immunity
The immune status in which there is an altered reactivity directed solely against the antigenic determinants (infectious agent or other) that stimulated it. ... See: acquired immunity. ... (05 Mar 2000) ...

specific ionisation
<radiobiology> The number of ion pairs formed per unit of distance along the track of an ion passing through matter ... (16 Dec 1997) ...

specific optical dispersion
<microscopy> The difference between the refractive indices of light of two different wavelengths, both indices measured at the same temperature, the difference being divided by the specific gravity also measured in the same medium at the test temperature. For convenience, the specific dispersion value is multiplied by ten. ... (05 Aug 1998) …

specific parasite
A parasite that habitually lives in its present host and is particularly adapted for the host species. ... (05 Mar 2000) ...

specific passive immunity
See: acquired immunity. ... (05 Mar 2000) ...

specific pathogen-free organisms
Animals or humans raised in the absence of a particular disease-causing virus or other microorganism. Less frequently plants are cultivated pathogen-free. ... (12 Dec 1998) ...

specific reaction
The phenomena produced by an agent that is identical with or immunologically related to the one that has already caused an alteration in capacity of the tissue to react. ... (05 Mar 2000) ...

specific serum
A monovalent antiserum, i.e., one obtained by inoculating an animal with one antigen or species or strain of bacteria. ... (05 Mar 2000) ...

specific soluble polysaccharide
Synonym for specific capsular substance ... A soluble type-specific polysaccharide produced during active growth of virulent pneumococci composing a large part of the capsule. ... Synonym: pneumococcal polysaccharide, soluble specific substance, specific soluble polysaccharide, specific soluble sugar. ... (05 Mar 2000) ...

specific soluble sugar
Synonym for specific capsular substance ... A soluble type-specific polysaccharide produced during active growth of virulent pneumococci composing a large part of the capsule. ... Synonym: pneumococcal polysaccharide, soluble specific substance, specific soluble polysaccharide, specific soluble sugar. ... (05 Mar 2000) ...

specific therapy
Therapy aimed at the cause(s) of a disease process, as opposed to symptomatic therapy. ... (05 Mar 2000) ...

specific transduction
Synonym for specialised transduction ... Transduction in which the bacteriophage strain is able to transfer only some, or only one, of the donor bacterium genes. ... Synonym: specific transduction. ... (05 Mar 2000) ...

specific urethritis
An obsolete term for gonorrhoea. ... (05 Mar 2000) ...

specificity
The ability of the immune response to interact with individual antigens. ... (09 Oct 1997) ...

specificity constant
Ratio of the maximum velocity (Vmax) or kcat to the true Km value for a specific substrate in an enzyme-catalyzed reaction. ... (05 Mar 2000) ...

specify
To mention or name, as a particular thing; to designate in words so as to distinguish from other things; as, to specify the uses of a plant; to specify articles purchased. 'He has there given us an exact geography of Greece, where the countries and the uses of their soils are specified.' (Pope) ... Origin: F. Specifier, or OF. Especifier, fr. LL. Sp …

specillum
A probe or small sound. ... Origin: L. A probe, fr. Specio, to look at ... (05 Mar 2000) ...

specimen
<microscopy> A piece or portion of a sample selected for examination. The specimen may, or may not be representative, whereas the sample may have been selected to be representative. ... (05 Aug 1998) ...

specimen charge
<microscopy> The electrical charge resulting from the impingement of electrons on a nonconducting specimen. ... (05 Aug 1998) ...

specimen contamination
<microscopy> A change in the specimen caused by the condensation upon it of residual vapours in the microscope under the influence of electron bombardment. ... (05 Aug 1998) ...

specimen distortion
<microscopy> A physical change in the specimen caused by desiccation or heating by the electron beam. ... (05 Aug 1998) ...

specimen handling
Procedures for collecting, preserving, and transporting of specimens sufficiently stable to provide accurate and precise results suitable for clinical interpretation. ... (12 Dec 1998) ...

specimen holder
<microscopy> A device which supports the specimen and specimen screen in the correct position in the specimen chamber of the microscope. ... (05 Aug 1998) ...

specimen interaction
<microscopy> Reactions that occur inside the specimen when being struck with a beam of energetic electrons or ions. ... (05 Aug 1998) ...

specimen interaction volume
<microscopy> The volume inside the specimen in which all specimen interactions occur during electron beam irradiation. ... (05 Aug 1998) ...

specimen screen
<microscopy> A disk of fine screen, usually 200-mesh stainless steel, copper, or nickel, which supports the replica or specimen support film for observation in the microscope. ... (05 Aug 1998) ...

specimen stage
<microscopy> The part of the microscope which supports the specimen holder and specimen in the microscope, and can be moved in a plane perpendicular to the optical axis from outside the column. ... (05 Aug 1998) ...

specious
1. Presenting a pleasing appearance; pleasing in form or look; showy. 'Some [serpents] specious and beautiful to the eye.' (Bp. Richardson) 'The rest, far greater part, Will deem in outward rites and specious forms Religion satisfied.' (Milton) ... 2. Apparently right; superficially fair, just, or correct, but not so in reality; appearing well at fi …

speck
1. A small discoloured place in or on anything, or a small place of a colour different from that of the main substance; a spot; a stain; a blemish; as, a speck on paper or loth; specks of decay in fruit. 'Gray sand, with black specks.' ... 2. A very small thing; a particle; a mite; as, specks of dust; he has not a speck of money. 'Many bright specks …

speck finger
Synonym for erysipeloid ... An infection caused by erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae that is almost wholly restricted to persons who in their occupation handle infected fish, shellfish, poultry, or meat. Three forms of this condition exist: a mild localised form manifested by local swelling and redness of the skin; a diffuse form that might present with …

SPECT
<abbreviation> Single photon emission computed tomography. ... (05 Mar 2000) ...

spectacle
1. Something exhibited to view; usually, something presented to view as extraordinary, or as unusual and worthy of special notice; a remarkable or noteworthy sight; a show; a pageant; a gazingstock. 'O, piteous spectacle? O, bloody times!' (Shak) ... 2. A spy-glass; a looking-glass. 'Poverty a spectacle is, as thinketh me, Through which he may his v …

spectacle eyes
A condition in rats caused by pantothenic acid deficiency, and possibly lack of inositol as well, in which a hairless ring of inflamed skin surrounds the eye's. ... (05 Mar 2000) ...

spectacle plane
The plane at which spectacles are worn. ... (05 Mar 2000) ...

spectacles
Lenses set in a frame that holds them in front of the eyes, used to correct errors of refraction or to protect the eyes. The parts of the spectacles are the lenses; the bridge between the lenses, resting on the nose; the rims or frames, encircling the lenses; the sides or temples that pass on either side of the head to the ears; the bows, the curve …

spectinomycin
Aminocyclitol antibiotic: acts on ribosome, but is bacteriostatic rather than bactericidal. ... (18 Nov 1997) ...

spectinomycin hydrochloride
Actinospectacin decahydro-4a,7,9-trihydroxy-2-methyl-6,8-bis(methylamino)-4H-pyrano [2,3-b] [1,4]benzodioxin-4-one dihydrochloride;an antibiotic antibacterial agent. ... (05 Mar 2000) ...

spectinomycin phosphotransferase
<enzyme> Aph - aminoglycoside/aminocyclitol phosphotransferase; does not phoshphorylate hygromycin, kanamycin, or streptomycin; 36-kD; isolated from legionella pneumophila; genbank u94857 ... Registry number: EC 2.7.1.- ... Synonym: aph gene product ... (26 Jun 1999) ...

spectra
Plural of spectrum. ... Origin: L. ... (05 Mar 2000) ...

spectral sensitivity
The reciprocal of the amount of monochromatic radiation that produces a fixed response. ... (05 Mar 2000) ...

spectre
1. Something preternaturally visible; an apparition; a ghost; a phantom. 'The ghosts of traitors from the bridge descend, With bold fanatic specters to rejoice.' (Dryden) ... 2. <zoology> The tarsius. A stick insect. ... <zoology> Specter bat, a skeleton shrimp. See Skeleton. ... Origin: F. Spectre, fr. L. Spectrum an appearance, image, sp …

spectrin
<protein> Membrane associated dimeric protein (240 & 220 kD) of erythrocytes. Forms a complex with ankyrin, actin and probably other components of the membrane cytoskeleton, so that there is a meshwork of proteins underlying the plasma membrane, potentially restricting the lateral mobility of integral proteins. Isoforms have been describe …

spectro-
A spectrum. ... Origin: L. Spectrum, an image ... (05 Mar 2000) ...

spectrochemistry
The study of chemical substances and their identification by means of spectroscopy, i.e., by light emitted or absorbed. ... (05 Mar 2000) ...

spectrocolorimeter
A colourimeter using a source of light from a selected portion of the spectrum, i.e., of a selected wavelength. ... (05 Mar 2000) ...

spectrofluorometer
An instrument for measuring the intensity and quality of fluorescence. ... (05 Mar 2000) ...

spectrogram
A graphic representation of a spectrum. ... Origin: spectro-+ G. Gramma, something written ... (05 Mar 2000) ...

spectrograph
An instrument used in spectography. ... (05 Mar 2000) ...

spectrography
The procedure of photographing or tracing a spectrum. ... Origin: spectro-+ G. Grapho, to write ... (05 Mar 2000) ...

spectrology
<chemistry, study> The science of spectrum analysis in any or all of its relations and applications. ... (04 Mar 1998) ...

spectrometry
The procedure of observing and measuring the wavelengths of light or other electromagnetic emissions. ... (05 Mar 2000) ...

spectrometry, fluorescence
Measurement of the intensity and quality of fluorescence. ... (12 Dec 1998) ...

spectrometry, gamma
Determination of the energy distribution of gamma rays emitted by nuclei. ... (12 Dec 1998) ...

spectrometry, mass, secondary ion
A mass-spectrometric technique that is used for microscopic chemical analysis. A beam of primary ions with an energy of 5-20 kiloelectronvolts (kev) bombards a small spot on the surface of the sample under ultra-high vacuum conditions. Positive and negative secondary ions sputtered from the surface are analyzed in a mass spectrometer in regards to …

spectrometry, X-ray emission
Identification and measurement of concentration of elements based on the fact that X-rays emitted by an excited element have a wavelength characteristic of that element and an intensity related to its concentration. It includes fluorescence, or secondary-emission, X-ray spectrometry, in which the specimen is irradiated by X-rays. Primary-emission x …

spectrophobia
<psychology> Morbid fear of mirrors or of one's mirrored image. ... Origin: spectro-+ G. Phobos, fear ... (05 Mar 2000) ...

spectrophotofluorimetry
Measurement of the intensity and quality of fluorescence by means of a spectrophotometer. ... (05 Mar 2000) ...

spectrophotometer
A machine used to measure how much light of a given wavelength is absorbed by a liquid sample, or to measure how intense (bright) the spectral lines and bands produced by the sample are, relative to each other. ... (09 Oct 1997) ...

spectrophotometry
Quantitative measurements of concentrations of reagents made by measuring the absorption of visible, ultraviolet or infrared light. ... (18 Nov 1997) ...

spectrophotometry, infrared
Spectrophotometry in the infrared region, usually for the purpose of chemical analysis through measurement of absorption spectra associated with rotational and vibrational energy levels of molecules. ... (12 Dec 1998) ...

spectrophotometry, ultraviolet
Determination of the spectra of ultraviolet absorption by specific molecules in gases or liquids, for example cl2, so2, no2, cs2, ozone, mercury vapor, and various unsaturated compounds. ... (12 Dec 1998) ...

spectropolarimeter
An instrument for measuring the rotation of the plane of polarised light of specific wavelength upon passage through a solution or translucent solid. ... Origin: spectro-+ polarimeter ... (05 Mar 2000) ...

spectroscopic
Relating to or performed by means of a spectroscope. ... (05 Mar 2000) ...

spectroscopy
<procedure> Spectroscopy is the science of measuring the emission and absorption of different wavelengths (spectra) of visible and non-visible light, this can be done via a spectroscope, which consists of a slit, prism, collimator lens, object lens, and a grating. ... (09 Oct 1997) ...

spectroscopy, mossbauer
A spectroscopic technique which uses the mossbauer effect (inelastic scattering of gamma radiation resulting from interaction with heavy nuclei) to monitor the small variations in the interaction between an atomic nucleus and its environment. Such variations may be induced by changes in temperature, pressure, chemical state, molecular conformation, …

spectroscopy, near-infrared
A noninvasive technique that uses the differential absorption properties of haemoglobin and myoglobin to evaluate tissue oxygenation and indirectly can measure regional haemodynamics and blood flow. Near-infrared light (nir) can propagate through tissues and at particular wavelengths is differentially absorbed by oxgenated vs. Deoxygenated forms of …

spectrum
A charted band of wavelengths of electromagnetic vibrations obtained by refraction and diffraction. ... By extension, a measurable range of activity, such as the range of bacteria affected by an antibiotic (antibacterial spectrum) or the complete range of manifestations of a disease. ... (18 Nov 1997) ...