| animal cell immobilisation | <cell culture> Animal cells are widely used in biotechnology to produce genetically engineered proteins. However, they are more fragile than bacterial cells, and immobilising the cell facilitates the fermentation process. Many animal cells stick down flat on a suitable surface, hugging it as they would hug other cells or connective matrices in the body. If grown on suitable plastic surfaces, on glass or many ceramics, these cells will stick to them. In this way, they are easier to grow. (14 Nov 1997) |
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| animal charcoal | Charcoal produced by incomplete combustion of animal tissues, especially bone. Synonym: animal black, bone black, bone charcoal. (05 Mar 2000) |
| animal communication | Communication between animals involving the giving off by one individual of some chemical or physical signal, that, on being received by another, influences its behaviour. (12 Dec 1998) |
| animal dander | <immunology, zoology> The epidermis (skin) from an animal that can elicit an allergic response. (12 Nov 1997) |
| animal dextran | <biochemistry> Branched polymer of D glucose (mostly _(1-4) linked, but some _(1-6) at branch points). Size range very variable, up to 10exp5 glucose units. Major short term storage polymer of animal cells and is particularly abundant in the liver and to a lesser extent in muscle. In the electron microscope glycogen has a characteristic asterisk or star appearance. (18 Nov 1997) |
| animal graft | A graft of tissue from an animal to a human. Synonym: animal graft, zooplastic graft. (05 Mar 2000) |
| animal husbandry | The science of breeding, feeding and care of domestic animals; includes housing and nutrition. (12 Dec 1998) |
| animal identification systems | Procedures for recognizing individual animals and certain identifiable characteristics pertaining to them; includes computerised methods, ear tags, etc. (12 Dec 1998) |
| animal magnetism | A psychic force akin to the property of mutual attraction or repulsion possessed by metal magnets and once believed to be the principal factor in hypnosis, which thus was called animal magnetism. See: hypnosis, mesmerism. (05 Mar 2000) |
| animal model | Study in a population of laboratory animals that uses conditions of animals analogous to conditions of humans to simulate processes comparable to those that occur in human populations. (05 Mar 2000) |
| animal pole | <cell biology> In most animal oocytes the nucleus is not centrally placed and its position can be used to define two poles. That nearest to the nucleus is the animal pole and the other is the vegetal pole, with the animal vegetal axis between the poles passing through the nucleus. During meiosis of the oocyte the polar bodies are expelled at animal pole. In many eggs there is also a graded distribution of substances along this axis, with pigment granules often concentrated in the animal half and yolk, where present, largely in the vegetal half. (12 Nov 1997) |
| animal protein factor | <biochemistry> Member of the water soluble B vitamin group, important in the proper function of the nervous system and important in proper carbohydrate, protein and fat metabolism. (27 Sep 1997) |
| animal psychology | A branch of psychology concerned with the study of the behaviour and physiological responses of animal organisms as a means of understanding human behaviour; some synonyms include comparative psychology, experimental psychology, and physiological psychology. (05 Mar 2000) |
| animal rights | The moral and ethical bases of the protection of animals from cruelty and abuse. The rights are extended to domestic animals, laboratory animals, and wild animals. (12 Dec 1998) |
| animal soap | Soap made with sodium hydroxide and a purified animal fat consisting chiefly of stearin; used in pharmacy in the preparation of certain liniments. Synonym: curd soap, domestic soap, tallow soap. (05 Mar 2000) |