| igloo | 1. An Eskimo snow house. 2. <zoology> A cavity, or excavation, made in the snow by a seal, over its breathing hole in the ice. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
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| IgM | <immunology> An immunoglobulin M molecule (970 kD) is built up from five immunoglobulin G type monomers joined together, with the assistance of J chains, to form a cyclic pentamer. Immunoglobulin M binds complement and a single molecule bound to a cell surface can lyse that cell. Immunoglobulin M is usually produced first in an immune response before immunoglobulin G. The human red cell isoantibodies are immunoglobulin M antibodies. Heavy chain (mu chain) is rather larger than the heavy chains of other immunoglobulins. (30 Mar 1998) |
| IgM antibody capture ELISA | Developed to impart significant improvement in assay specificity to indirect ELISA procedures for IgM isotype antibodies. Solid-phase support (usually microtitre plate wells) are coated with anti-human IgM antibodies capable of binding all IgM isotype antibodies present in the specimen. Reagent antigen is then added, followed by enzyme-labelled antigen-specific antibodies. If IgM antibodies specific for the antigen in question are present, the "sandwich" complex will result in enzymatic colour-change proportional to the concentration of IgM-specific antibody present. This technique appears to be the method of choice in many highly specific and more sensitive assays for IgM infectious disease antibodies. Acronym: MAC ELISA (05 Mar 2000) |
| IgM nephropathy | <nephrology, pathology> Inflammation of the kidney glomerulus (blood filtering portion of the kidney) due to the abnormal deposition of IgM antibody in the mesangium layer of the glomerular capillary. A form of glomerulonephritis that appears to be caused by an abnormal immune response. This disorder generally manifests as nephrotic syndrome. Symptoms include swelling, dark urine, weight gain, hypertension, anorexia and bloody urine. Acronym: MPGN (05 Jan 1998) |
| ignatia | The dried ripe seed of Strychnos ignatii (family Loganiaceae). It is similar in its properties to nux vomica and is a source of strychnine. Origin: St. Ignatius (05 Mar 2000) |
| ignatius bean | <botany> See Saint Ignatius's bean, under Saint. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| igneous | 1. Pertaining to, having the nature of, fire; containing fire; resembling fire; as, an igneous appearance. 2. <geology> Resulting from, or produced by, the action of fire; as, lavas and basalt are igneous rocks. Origin: L. Igneus, fr. Ignis fire; allied to Skr. Agni, Lith. Ugnis, OSlav. Ogne. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| ignipedites | Burning pain in the soles of the feet, in multiple neuritis. Synonym: hotfoot. Origin: L. Ignis, fire, + pes (ped-), foot, + G. Ites (05 Mar 2000) |
| ignipuncture | The original procedure of closing a retinal break in retinal separation by transfixation of the break with cautery. Origin: L. Ignis, fire, + puncture (05 Mar 2000) |
| ignite | 1. To kindle or set on fire; as, to ignite paper or wood. 2. <chemistry> To subject to the action of intense heat; to heat strongly; often said of incombustible or infusible substances; as, to ignite iron or platinum. Origin: L. Ignitus, p.p. Of ignire to ignite, fr. Ignis fire. See Igneous. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| ignition | <radiobiology> In fusion, as in an ordinary (chemical) fire, ignition is the point where the temperature and confinement of heat in the fuel (plasma in the case of fusion) are such that energy released from ongoing reactions is sufficient to maintain the temperature of the system, and no external heating is needed. An ignited fusion plasma produces so much energy from fusion reactions that the plasma is fully heated by fusion reaction products (alpha particles in the case of D-T fusion), and the plasma no longer needs any external source of power to maintain its temperature. (The plasma may, however, still need something to maintain its confinement, this gives us control over the fusion reaction and helps prevent fusion reactors from having meltdown problems like fission reactors.) (09 Oct 1997) |
| ignition temperature | <radiobiology> For given values of density and energy confinement, the temperature at which ignition occurs. (see ignition above) (09 Oct 1997) |
| ignoble | 1. Of low birth or family; not noble; not illustrious; plebeian; common; humble. "I was not ignoble of descent." (Shak) "Her royal stock graft with ignoble plants." (Shak) 2. Not honorable, elevated, or generous; base. "'T but a base, ignoble mind, That mounts no higher than a bird can soar." (Shak) "Far from the madding crowd's ignoble strife." (Gray) 3. <zoology> Not a true or noble falcon; said of certain hawks, as the goshawk. Synonym: Degenerate, degraded, mean, base, dishonorable, reproachful, disgraceful, shameful, scandalous, infamous. Origin: L. Ignobilis; pref. In- not + nobilis noble: cf. F. Ignoble. See In- not, and Noble. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| ignorance | 1. The condition of being ignorant; the want of knowledge in general, or in relation to a particular subject; the state of being uneducated or uninformed. "Ignorance is the curse of God, Knowledge the wing wherewith we fly to heaven." (Shak) 2. A willful neglect or refusal to acquire knowledge which one may acquire and it is his duty to have. Invincible ignorance, ignorance beyond the individual's control and for which, therefore, he is not responsible before God. Origin: F, fr. L. Ignorantia. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| ignotine | <biochemistry> Dipeptide found at millimolar concentration in vertebrate muscle. (18 Nov 1997) |