| activated sludge | See: activated sludge method. (05 Mar 2000) |
|---|---|
| activated sludge method | A method of sewage disposal in which the sewage is treated with 15% bacterially active, liquid sludge, which is produced by repeated vigorous aeration of fresh sewage to form floccules or sediment; when this flocculation process is complete, the resulting activated sludge contains large numbers of bacteria, together with yeasts, molds, and protozoa, which actively effect the oxidation of organic compounds; this mixture is piped to a sedimentation tank, the effluent from which is completely treated sewage. (05 Mar 2000) |
| activated sludge process | <procedure> A method of treating sewage and wastewater through microbial oxidation. Sewage previously treated in settling tanks is aerated to encourage the growth of nonpathogenic aerobic microorganisms (bacteria, yeasts, moulds and protozoans) which break the organic matter down into carbon dioxide, water and simple salts. After this activated sludge is produced, the wastewater undergoes further processing through anaerobic digestion, filtering and chlorination. (29 Dec 1997) |
| activated state | <chemistry, radiobiology> An atom or nucleus which possesses more energy than its ground state energy. (16 Dec 1997) |
| activation | <radiobiology> Activation occurs when a particle interacts with an atomic nucleus, shifting the nucleus into an unstable state, and causing it to become radioactive. In fusion research, where deuterium-tritium is a common fuel mixture, the neutron released when (D + T) combine to form (4He + n) can activate the reactor structure. In this case the 4He is inert, the neutron sticks to another nucleus, and the neutron + nucleus reaction creates an actvation product. Sometimes called radioactivation. See: activation product, activation analysis. (09 Oct 1997) |
| activation analysis | <radiobiology> Method for identifying and measuring chemical elements in a sample of material. Sample is first made radioactive by bombardment with neutrons, charged particles, or gamma rays. Newly formed radioactive atoms in the sample then give off characteristic radiations (such as gamma rays) that tell what kinds of atoms are present, and how many. (09 Oct 1997) |
| activation energy | <chemistry> The amount of energy (expressed in joules) that is needed to convert all the molecules in one mole of a reacting substance from a ground state to the transition state. (06 May 1997) |
| activation product | <radiobiology> The unstable nucleus formed when activation occurs. (See activation above.) (09 Oct 1997) |
| activator | <biochemistry> A DNA-binding transcription metabolite that positively modulates an allosteric enzyme or regulates one or more genes by increasing the rate of transcription. (12 Mar 1998) |
| activator appliances | Loose-fitting removable orthodontic appliances which redirect the pressures of the facial and masticatory muscles onto the teeth and their supporting structures to produce improvements in tooth arrangements and occlusal relations. (12 Dec 1998) |
| active | Characterised by action, not passive, not expectant. (18 Nov 1997) |
| active acetate | <enzyme> Condensation product of coenzyme A and acetic acid, symbolised as CoAS~COCH3; intermediate in transfer of two-carbon fragment, notably in its entrance into the tricarboxylic acid cycle and in fatty acid synthesis. This coenzyme plays a huge role in intermediary metabolism, in which cells synthesise, break down or use nutrient molecules for energy production, growth, etc. Acetyl-coenzyme A synthase is found in bacteria and plants and catalyses the reaction in which acetate enters metabolic pathways and forms acetyl-coenzyme A. Synonym: acetyl-coenzyme A, active acetate. (05 Mar 2000) |
| active aldehyde | Any aldehyde derivative of thiamin pyrophosphate. (05 Mar 2000) |
| active anaphylaxis | Reaction following inoculation of antigen in a subject previously sensitised to the specific antigen, in contrast to passive anaphylaxis. (05 Mar 2000) |
| active biomass | <cell biology> The amount of a given culture that is actively growing. (06 May 1997) |