| growth | 1. The process of growing; the gradual increase of an animal or a vegetable body; the development from a seed, germ, or root, to full size or maturity; increase in size, number, frequency, strength, etc.; augmentation; advancement; production; prevalence or influence; as, the growth of trade; the growth of power; the growth of intemperance. Idle weeds are fast in growth. 2. That which has grown or is growing; anything produced; product; consequence; effect; result. "Nature multiplies her fertile growth." (Milton) Origin: Icel. Gror, gri. See Grow. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
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| growth and embryonic development | Developmental processes from cell division to embryogenesis to postnatal growth and maturity. (12 Dec 1998) |
| growth arrest lines | Dense lines parallel to the growth plates of long bones on radiographs, representing temporary slowing or cessation of longitudinal growth. Synonym: Harris' lines. (05 Mar 2000) |
| growth associated proteins | <growth factor> Group of developmentally regulated polypeptides thought to be critical for the formation of neural circuitry. The acidic membrane phosphoprotein GAP 43 is synthesised and transported down regenerating and developing axons, pp46 localised in growth cone membranes during embryogenesis, B 50 in mature presynaptic membranes in the regulation of phosphotidylinositol turnover and F1 in the hippocampus during long-term potentiation, are now all known to be the same protein. (18 Nov 1997) |
| growth cone | <cell biology> A specialised region at the tip of a growing neurite that is responsible for sensing the local environment and moving toward the neuron's target cell. Growth cones are hand shaped, with several long filopodia that differentially adhere to surfaces in the embryo. Growth cones can be sensitive to several guidance cues, for example: surface adhesiveness, growth factors, neurotransmitters and electric fields (galvanotropism). (18 Nov 1997) |
| growth cone collapse | <cell biology> Loss of motile activity and cessation of advance by growth cones. There are now thought to be specific molecules that inhibit the motility of particular growth cones and are important in establishing correct pathways in developing nervous systems. See: axon pathfinding. (18 Nov 1997) |
| growth control | <cell biology> When applied to cells usually means control of growth of the population, i.e. Of the rate of division rather than of the size of an individual cell. (18 Nov 1997) |
| growth curve | A graphic representation of the change in size of an individual or a population over a period of time. (05 Mar 2000) |
| growth disorders | Deviations from the average values for a specific age and sex in any or all of the following: height, weight, skeletal proportions, osseous development, or maturation of features. The concept includes both acceleration and retardation of growth. (12 Dec 1998) |
| growth factor | <biochemistry> A complex family of polypeptide hormones or biological factors that are produced by the body to control growth, division and maturation of blood cells by the bone marrow. They regulate the division and proliferation of cells and influence the growth rate of some cancers. These factors occur naturally but some can be synthesised using molecular biology techniques and are used clinically to stimulate normal white cell production following chemotherapy or bone marrow transplantation. Examples include epidermal growth factor, platelet-derived growth factor, fibroblast growth factor. Insulin and somatomedin are also growth factors, the status of nerve growth factor is more uncertain. Perturbation of growth factor production or of the response to growth factor is important in neoplastic transformation. (29 Sep 1997) |
| growth factors | Proteins involved in cell differentiation and growth.Growth factors are essential to the normal cell cycle, and are thus vital elements in the life of animals from conception to death. Among other things, they mediate foetal development, play a role in maintenance and repair of tissues, stimulate production of blood cells, and, gone awry, participate in cancerous processes. (05 Mar 2000) |
| growth hormone | <endocrinology, hormone> Polypeptide (191 amino acids) produced by anterior pituitary that stimulates liver to produce somatomedins 1 & 2. (13 Nov 1997) |
| growth hormone inhibiting hormone | <protein> Gastrointestinal and hypothalmic peptide hormone (two forms: 14 and 28 residues), found in gastric mucosa, pancreatic islets, nerves of the gastrointestinal tract, in posterior pituitary and in the central nervous system. Inhibits gastric secretion and motility: in hypothalamus/pituitary inhibits somatotropin release. (18 Nov 1997) |
| growth hormone-producing adenoma | <tumour> An adenoma that produces the clinical picture of gigantism or acromegaly, although a third of the cells have no granules or are a mixture of acidophils and chromophobes; some tumours may secrete both growth hormone and prolactin; often an acidophil or eosinophil adenoma. (05 Mar 2000) |
| growth hormone-regulating hormone | <endocrinology> Hypothalamic hormones that induce (somatoliberin) or inhibit (somatostatin) the release of growth hormone (somatotropin). (18 Nov 1997) |