Molecular biology

Molecular biology

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Molecular biology

excitotoxin

Biology; Biochemistry

A molecular signal that acts via a cell-surface receptor and initiates a series of events that result in cell death; e.g. glutamate, some of whose receptors initiate apoptotic or necrotic cascades.

molecular chronometer

Biology; Biochemistry

A phylogenetic marker; a highly conserved protein (e.g. ubiquitin) or nucleic acid (e.g an rRNA) whose rate of mutation is constant, and which can therefore be used to construct phylogenetic trees.

homogenate

Biology; Biochemistry

An unfractionated, cell-free, preparation of tissue prepared by disruption of tissue structure and breakage of cell walls, e.g. with a Potter-Elvehjem homogenizer or by use of ultrasonic vibrations.

mtDNA

Biology; Biochemistry

Mitochondrial DNA; a double-stranded polynucleotide composed of a heavy and a light chain, distinguished by the buoyant densities of the separated strands, which are determined by their G+T content.

antigenic mimicry

Biology; Biochemistry

The phenomenon of two proteins having very similar epitopes, so that antibodies raised against one, for instance a foreign protein, will also react with a second, for instance an endogenous protein.

adiponectin

Biology; Biochemistry

A hormone produced and secreted by adipose cells that modulates lipid and glucose metabolism. Adiponectin concentrations in the blood are inversely correlated with obesity and metabolic derangements.

kinin

Biology; Biochemistry

A hypotensive plasma peptide that dilates small blood vessels and increases capillary permeability, e.g. bradykinin; formed from its precursor, a kininogen, by the proteolytic action of a kallikrein.