| 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) |
| alactic oxygen debt | That part of the oxygen debt that is not lactacid oxygen debt; during recovery, stores of ATP and creatine phosphate must be replenished by oxidative metabolism, and a small amount of oxygen is also needed to restore the normal oxyhemoglobin levels throughout the circulating blood. (05 Mar 2000) |
| arteriovenous oxygen difference | <physiology> The difference in the oxygen content (in ml per 100 ml blood) between arterial and venous blood. (05 Mar 2000) |
| biochemical oxygen demand | The amount of oxygen aerobicorganisms need to carry out oxidative metabolism in watercontaining organic matter, such as sewage. (09 Oct 1997) |
| carbon-oxygen ligases | <enzyme> Enzymes that catalyze the joining of two molecules by the formation of a carbon-oxygen bond. Registry number: EC 6.1 (12 Dec 1998) |
| carbon-oxygen lyases | <enzyme> Enzymes that catalyze the cleavage of a carbon-oxygen bond by means other than hydrolysis or oxidation. Registry number: EC 4.2 (12 Dec 1998) |
| reactive oxygen species | Reactive intermediate oxygen species including both radicals and non-radicals. These substances are constantly formed in the human body and have been shown to kill bacteria and inactivate proteins, and have been implicated in a number of diseases. Scientific data exist that link the reactive oxygen species produced by inflammatory phagocytes to cancer development. (12 Dec 1998) |
| chemical oxygen demand | The amount of dissolved oxygen required to combine with chemicals in wastewater. A measure of the oxygen equivalent of that portion of organic matter that is susceptible to oxidation by a strong chemical oxidizing agent. (05 Dec 1998) |
| rubredoxin-oxygen oxidoreductase | <enzyme> Contains fad and a new type of haem; site of oxygen reduction to water by desulfovibrio gigas coupled with NADH oxidation Registry number: EC 1.9.3.- Synonym: rubredoxin oxidase (26 Jun 1999) |
| phosphorus-oxygen lyases | <enzyme> Enzymes that catalyze the cleavage of a phosphorus-oxygen bond by means other than hydrolysis or oxidation. Registry number: EC 4.6 (12 Dec 1998) |