| pseudospatial gradient sensing | <cell biology> Mechanism for sensing a gradient of a diffusible chemical in which the cell sends protrusions out at random, up gradient protrusions are stabilised by positive feedback (because receptor occupancy is rising with time) and others are transitory because of adaptation. Possibly the mechanism by which neutrophils sense chemotactic gradients. (18 Nov 1997) |
|---|---|
| density gradient | <chemistry> A column of liquid in which the density varies continually with position, usually as a consequence of variation of concentration of a solute. Such gradients may be established by progressive mixing of solutions of different density as for example: sucrose gradients) or by centrifuge induced redistribution of solute (as for caesium chloride gradients). Density gradients are widely used for centrifugal and gravity induced separations of cells, organelles and macromolecules. The separations may exploit density differences between particles or primarily differences in size, in which latter case the function of the gradient is chiefly to stabilise the liquid column against mixing. (12 Jan 1998) |
| density gradient centrifugation | <technique> High-speed centrifugation inwhich molecules float at a point wheretheir density equals that in a gradient of cesium chloride or sucrose. (12 Jan 1998) |
| systolic gradient | The difference in pressure during systole between two communicating cardiovascular chambers, e.g., between the left ventricle and aorta in aortic stenosis. (05 Mar 2000) |
| electrochemical gradient | A measure of the tendency of an ion to move passively from one point to another, taking into consideration the differences in its concentration and in the electrical potentials between the two points; commonly expressed as the additional voltage needed to achieve equilibrium. (05 Mar 2000) |
| ficoll gradient | A density gradient of ficoll (synthetic sucrose polymer) in solution, where concentration of the ficoll varies continuously through the solution. It is often used to separate different types of cells from each other during the process of sedimentation. (09 Oct 1997) |
| field gradient | In magnetic resonance imaging, a magnetic field that varies with location, superimposed on the uniform field of the magnet, to alter the resonant frequency of nuclei and allow recovery of their spatial position. Synonym: field gradient. (05 Mar 2000) |
| 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) |
| active carbon dioxide | Activated carbon dioxide, a complex of N-carboxybiotin (biotin + CO2) and an enzyme; the form in which carbon dioxide is added to other molecules in carboxylations; e.g., to methylcrotonyl-CoA to form beta-methylglutaconyl in the catabolism of leucine, and to acetyl-CoA to form malonyl-CoA. See: acetyl-CoA carboxylase. (05 Mar 2000) |
| active caries | Microbial-induced lesions of teeth that are increasing in size. (05 Mar 2000) |
| active centre | The part of a macromolecule at which a substrate or ligand, upon binding, produces biological activity; for an enzyme, this is the catalytic centre, the site on an enzyme that catalyses the reaction. (05 Mar 2000) |