| opsin | <protein> General term for the apoproteins of the rhodopsin family. (18 Nov 1997) |
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| opsinogen | A substance that stimulates the formation of opsonin, such as the antigen contained in a suspension of bacteria used for immunization. Synonym: opsogen. Origin: opsonin + -gen (05 Mar 2000) |
| opsiometer | An instrument for measuring the limits of distincts vision in different individuals, and thus determiming the proper focal length of a lens for correcting imperfect sight. Origin: Gr. Sight: cf. F. Opsiometre. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| opsiuria | A more rapid excretion of urine during fasting than after a full meal. Origin: G. Opsi, late, + ouron, urine (05 Mar 2000) |
| opsoclonus | Rapid, irregular, nonrhythmic movements of the eye in horizontal and vertical directions. Origin: G. Ops, opos, eye, + klonos, confused motion (05 Mar 2000) |
| opsogen | A substance that stimulates the formation of opsonin, such as the antigen contained in a suspension of bacteria used for immunization. Synonym: opsogen. Origin: opsonin + -gen (05 Mar 2000) |
| opsomania | <psychiatry> A longing for a particular article of diet, or for highly seasoned food. Origin: G. Opson, seasoning, + mania, frenzy (05 Mar 2000) |
| opsonation | A catering; a buying of provisions. Origin: L. Opsonatio. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| opsonic | Relating to opsonins or to their utilization. (05 Mar 2000) |
| opsonic index | A value that indicates the relative content of opsonin in the blood of a person with an infectious disease, as evaluated in vitro in comparison with presumably normal blood; the opsonic index is calculated from the following equation: phagocytic index of normal serum ÷ phagocytic index of test serum = 1 ÷ x, where x represents the opsonic index. (05 Mar 2000) |
| opsonin | <protein> Substance that binds to the surface of a particle and enhances the uptake of the particle by a phagocyte. Probably the most important in mammals derive from complement (C3b or C3bi) or immunoglobulins which are bound through the Fc receptor). (18 Nov 1997) |
| opsonisation | A process through which a cell or microbe is treated with opsonin to make it more vulnerable to being engulfed by a phagocyte. Often done simply by incubating particles (e.g. Zymosan) with fresh serum. (13 Oct 1997) |
| opsonization | The process by which bacteria are altered in such a manner that they are more readily and more efficiently engulfed by phagocytes. (05 Mar 2000) |
| opsonocytophagic | Pertaining to the increased efficiency of phagocytic activity of the leukocytes in blood that contains specific opsonin. Origin: opsonin + G. Kytos, a hollow (cell), + phago, to eat (05 Mar 2000) |
| opsonometry | Determination of the opsonic index or the opsonocytophagic activity. (05 Mar 2000) |