| spike | An unbranched, indeterminate inflorescence in which the flowers are without stalks. (09 Oct 1997) |
|---|---|
| spike and wave complex | A generalised, synchronous pattern seen on the electroencephalogram, consisting of a sharply contoured fast wave followed by a slow wave; particularly found in patients with generalised epilepsies. Spike and wave complexes are often characterised by their frequency, e.g., s low spike and wave, fast spike and wave. (05 Mar 2000) |
| spike potential | The main wave in the action potential of a nerve; it is followed by negative and positive afterpotentials. (05 Mar 2000) |
| absolute intensity threshold acuity | The minimal light that can be seen. (05 Mar 2000) |
| absolute threshold | The lowest limit of any perception whatever. Compare: differential threshold. Synonym: stimulus threshold. (05 Mar 2000) |
| achromatic threshold | Threshold of visual sensation, the minimal light intensity evoking a visual sensation. Synonym: achromatic threshold, minimum light threshold. (05 Mar 2000) |
| anaerobic threshold | The oxygen consumption level above which aerobic energy production is supplemented by anaerobic mechanisms during exercise, resulting in a sustained increase in lactate concentration and metabolic acidosis. The anaerobic threshold is affected by factors that modify oxygen delivery to the tissues; it is low in patients with heart disease. Methods of measurement include direct measure of lactate concentration, direct measurement of bicarbonate concentration, and gas exchange measurements. (12 Dec 1998) |
| auditory threshold | The audibility limit of discriminating sound intensity and pitch. (12 Dec 1998) |
| brightness difference threshold | The smallest difference that can be perceived as a difference in brightness. Synonym: light difference. (05 Mar 2000) |
| pain threshold | Amount of stimulation required before the sensation of pain is experienced. (12 Dec 1998) |
| galvanic threshold | The minimal strength of an electrical stimulus of indefinite duration that is able to cause excitation of a tissue, e.g., muscle or nerve. See: chronaxie. Synonym: galvanic threshold. Origin: rheo-+ G. Basis, a base (05 Mar 2000) |
| relational threshold | The smallest degree of difference between two stimuli that permits them to be perceived as different. (05 Mar 2000) |
| visual threshold | Threshold of visual sensation, the minimal light intensity evoking a visual sensation. Synonym: achromatic threshold, minimum light threshold. (05 Mar 2000) |
| renal threshold | Concentration of plasma substance above which the substance appears in the urine. (05 Mar 2000) |
| phenotypic threshold | A quantitative genetic trait with a continuous distribution termed its liability may generate two kinds of phenotype, according to whether the liability lies above or below some critical threshold at about which a radical change in behaviour occurs. For instance, blood uric acid level is a liability with an approximately gaussian distribution. At a critical point of chemical saturation (the threshold crystallization occurs and the resulting gout or nongout is a threshold trait. (05 Mar 2000) |