143 results found

Search Results for: beta

Beta-blocker

Definition noun, plural: beta-blockers A drug that blocks the action of endogenous catecholamines on beta-adrenergic... Read More

Beta barrel

Definition noun, plural: beta barrels A large β-sheet that twists and coils to form a closed structure where the first... Read More

Beta-amylase

'Definition noun, plural: beta-amylases A form of amylase found in bacteria, molds, yeasts, and the seeds of plants that... Read More

Alanine

What is alanine? Alanine is a non-essential amino acid. There are two types of amino acids for mammals namely essential and... Read More

Genetic Mutations

Reviewed by: Mary Anne Clark, Ph.D. Genetic Mutations Genetic mutations are inherited variations in an... Read More

Genetic Control – On and Off Genes

Reviewed by: Mary Anne Clark, Ph.D. This lesson looks at the various factors involved that affect growth and... Read More

Nonsense mutation

A nonsense mutation is the type of point mutation that renders the translation process useless by coding for a stop/nonsense... Read More

Homeostasis

Homeostasis is the tendency not to stray from the range of favorable or ideal internal conditions. Such conditions must be... Read More

Intrinsic sympathomimetic activity

Definition noun The property of a drug that produces partial agonist effect at the receptor similar to the cholinergic... Read More

Insulin

Definition noun A polypeptide hormone secreted by the beta cells of the islets of Langerhans of the pancreas to regulate the... Read More

Saccharide

Saccharide Definition What is a saccharide molecule? A saccharide is the unit structure of carbohydrates. In biochemistry,... Read More

Allele

Allele Definition What are alleles? An allele is a term coined to describe a specific copy of a gene. Genes, the DNA... Read More

Energy coupling

What is Energy Coupling? Work, whether it be physical or biological, requires energy to be expended. In biological... Read More

Hexosaminidase A

Definition noun A hydrolytic enzyme implicated in the breakdown of ganglioside producing... Read More

Islets of Langerhans

Definition Cell clusters in the pancreas that form the endocrine part of that organ; secrete insulin and other hormones.... Read More

Microfilament

Definition noun plural: microfilaments mi·cro·fil·a·ments, mī'krō-fil'ă-mĕnts A thin, helical, single-stranded... Read More

Metabolism

Metabolism Definition What is metabolism in the body? Metabolism encompasses the various biochemical processes, reactions,... Read More

Glycolysis

What is Glycolysis and Why is it Important? Glycolysis is a metabolic pathway by which the 6-carbon molecule of glucose is... Read More

Microtubule

Microtubule Definition noun plural: microtubules mi·cro·tu·bule, mī'krō-tū'byūl A cytoplasmic tubule made up of... Read More

Gene Action – Operon Hypothesis

Reviewed by: Mary Anne Clark, Ph.D. Some genes are switched on or off depending on environmental conditions. The... Read More

Lysosomal enzyme

Definition noun plural: lysosomal enzymes ly·so·somal en·zyme, ˈlaɪsəˌsoʊm əl ˈɛnzaɪm (biochemistry) Any of... Read More

Streptococcus

Definition noun, plural: streptococci (1) A genus of bacteria characterized by being coccus, Gram-positive, and occurring in... Read More

Regulation of Organic Metabolism, Growth and Energy Balance

Organic Metabolism Events of Absorptive and Post-absorptive States. The absorptive state is the period during which... Read More

Chlorophyta

Chlorophyta Definition Chlorophyta is a taxonomic group (a phylum) comprised of green algae that live in marine habitats.... Read More

Gamma-amylase

'Definition noun, plural: gamma-amylases A form of amylase that cleaves the last alpha-1,4-glycosidic linkages at the... Read More

Dopamine

Definition noun, plural: dopamines 3,4-dihydroxyphenethylamine (chemical formula: C8H11NO2); a neurotransmitter or a hormone... Read More

Cytoskeleton

Definition noun plural: cytoskeletons cy·to·skel·e·ton (cell biology) The lattice or internal framework of a cell... Read More

Sickle cell anaemia

Definition noun A hereditary blood disorder resulting in anaemia due to a mutation in the allele coding for the beta chain... Read More

Glucagon

Definition noun A peptide hormone (3485 D) produced by the alpha cells of the pancreas, and acts by stimulating the... Read More

Starch

Starch Definition Starch is a polysaccharide (C6H10O5)n consisting of a large number of glucose monomers joined together... Read More

Gamma hemolysis

Definition noun Nonhemolytic bacterial colony on blood agar plates. Supplement The hemolytic reactions of streptococci on... Read More

Hemoglobinopathy

Definition noun, plural: hemoglobinopathies A genetic disorder resulting in an abnormal globin structure in the hemoglobin... Read More

Uridine

Definition noun plural: uridines u·ri·dine, ˈjʊə.ɹɪ.din A pyrimidine nucleoside that has uracil attached to the... Read More

Oligosaccharide

Carbohydrates are organic compounds consisting of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, usually in the ratio of 1:2:1. They are one... Read More

Glycoprotein

Definition noun, plural: glycoproteins Any of the conjugated proteins, characterized by having one or more... Read More

Cellular respiration

Cellular Respiration Definition What is cellular respiration in simple terms? Cellular respiration can be defined simply as... Read More

Glucose

Glucose occurs naturally and is ubiquitous. It is one of the three most common monosaccharides; the other two are fructose... Read More

Sterol

sterol (Science: chemistry) Any steroid-based alcohol having a hydrocarbon (aliphatic) side-chain of 8-10 carbons at the... Read More

Hemolysin

Definition noun, plural: hemolysins An agent or substance that causes hemolysis, i.e. the lysis of red blood cells resulting... Read More

Dehydration reaction

What is dehydration synthesis? A dehydration reaction is a form of biochemical reaction wherein a water molecule is lost or... Read More