| saltatory | Leaping or dancing; having the power of, or used in, leaping or dancing. <biology> Saltatory evolution, an affection in which pressure of the foot on a floor causes the patient to spring into the air, so as to make repeated involuntary motions of hopping and jumping. Origin: L. Saltatorius. See Saltant, and cf. Saltire. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
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| saltatory chorea | Rhythmic dancing movements, as in procursive chorea. (05 Mar 2000) |
| saltatory conduction | A method of neuronal transmission in vertebrate nerves, where only specialised nodes of Ranvier participate in excitation. This reduces the capacitance of the neuron, allowing much faster transmission. See: myelin, Schwann cells. (18 Nov 1997) |
| saltatory evolution | The theory that evolution of a new species from an older one may occur as a large jump, such as a major repatterning of chromosomes, rather than by gradual accumulation of small steps or mutations. Compare: emergent evolution. (05 Mar 2000) |
| saltatory movement | Abrupt jumping movements of the sort shown by some intracellular particles. Mechanism unclear. (18 Nov 1997) |
| saltatory replication | The sudden amplification of a DNA sequence to generate many copies in a tandem arrangement. Possible mechanism for the origin of satellite DNA. (18 Nov 1997) |
| saltatory spasm | A spasmodic affection of the muscles of the lower extremities. Synonym: Bamberger's disease, dancing spasm, Gowers disease. (05 Mar 2000) |