| phytate | A salt or ester of phytic acid. (05 Mar 2000) |
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| phytelephas | <botany> A genus of South American palm trees, the seeds of which furnish the substance called vegetable ivory. Origin: NL, fr. Gr. A plant + the elephant; also, ivory. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| phytic acid | Inositol hexaphosphate, found in plant cells, especially in seeds, where it acts as a storage compound for phosphate groups. (18 Nov 1997) |
| phytin | The calcium magnesium salt of phytic acid; a dietary supplement used to provide calcium, organic phosphorus, and myo-inositol. (05 Mar 2000) |
| phytivorous | Feeding on plants or herbage; phytophagous; as, phytivorous animals. Origin: Phyto- + L. Vorare to eat greedily. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| phyto- | <prefix> A combining form from Gr. Fyton a plant; as, phytochemistry, phytography. (29 Oct 1998) |
| phytoagglutinin | A lectin that causes agglutination of erythrocytes or of leukocytes. (05 Mar 2000) |
| phytoalexin | <protein> Toxic compounds produced by higher plants in response to attack by pathogens and to other stresses. Sometimes referred to as plant antibiotics, but rather non-specific, having a general fungicidal and bacteriocidal action. Very much analogous to an antibody response as production is triggered by elicitors. Examples include: pisatin, phaseolin. (14 Oct 1997) |
| phytobezoar | A gastric concretion formed of vegetable fibres, with the seeds and skins of fruits, and sometimes starch granules and fat globules. Synonym: food ball. Origin: phyto-+ bezoar (05 Mar 2000) |
| phytochemical | Technically, any chemical produced by a plant, but this term usuallyrefers to certain plant chemicals (such as carotenoids) that researchers believe may impart health benefits such as better protection from cancer. (09 Oct 1997) |
| phytochemistry | Chemistry in its relation to vegetable bodies; vegetable chemistry. Origin: Phyto- + chemistry. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| phytochimy | Alternative term for phytochemistry. Origin: F. Phytochimie; Gr. A plant + F. Chimie chemistry. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| phytochrome | Plant pigment protein that absorbs red light and then initiates physiological responses governing light sensitive processes such as germination, growth and flowering. Exists in two forms, Pr and Pfr, that are interconverted by light. (18 Nov 1997) |
| phytochromobilin synthase | <enzyme> From plants; reduces biliverdin ixa to phytochromobilin; requires ATP and NADPH Registry number: EC 1.3.1.- (26 Jun 1999) |
| phytodermatitis | Dermatitis caused by various mechanisms including mechanical and chemical injury, allergy, or photosensitization (phytophotodermatitis) at skin sites previously exposed to plants. (05 Mar 2000) |