| equilibrium centrifugation | A type of density gradient centrifugation used to separate proteins or nucleic acids from a mixture. (09 Oct 1997) |
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| equilibrium constant | <chemistry> The ratio of the reverse and forward rate constants for a reaction of the type: A + B = AB at equilibrium the equilibrium constant (K) equals the product of the concentrations of reactants divided by the concentration of product and has dimensions of concentration. Kd = (concentration A.concentration B) / (concentration AB). The affinity constant (Ka) is the reciprocal of the equilibrium constant. Dimension: moles per litre. In general the concept of Kd is more readily understood than that of Ka, for example: in considering the conversion of A to AB by the binding of ligand B, the Kd = B when A = AB. Thus Kd is equal to the ligand concentration which produces half maximal conversion (response). (10 Jan 1998) |
| equilibrium dialysis | In immunology, a method for determination of association constants for hapten-antibody reactions in a system in which the hapten (dialyzable) and antibody (nondialyzable) solutions are separated by semipermeable membranes. Since at equilibrium the quantity of free hapten will be the same in the two compartments, quantitative determinations can be made of hapten-bound antibody, free antibody, and free hapten. (05 Mar 2000) |
| equilibrium potential | <physiology> The membrane potential at which a particular type of ion or other particle does not diffuse through the membrane in either direction. (09 Oct 1997) |
| linkage equilibrium | <genetics> Situation that should exist in a population undisturbed by selection, migration, etc., in which all possible combinations of linked genes should be present at equal frequency. The situation is no more common than are such undisturbed populations. (18 Nov 1997) |
| blood urea nitrogen | Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) is a metabolic by product (in the liver) from the breakdown of blood, muscle and protein. Blood urea nitrogen can be measured from a simple venipuncture specimen. Abnormal elevation in the blood urea nitrogen can indicate renal disease, dehydration, congestive heart failure, gastrointestinal bleeding, starvation, shock or urinary tract obstruction (by tumour or prostate gland). Low BUN level can indicate liver disease, malnutrition or a low protein diet. Normal BUN levels should be between 7 and 20 mg/dl (milligrams per decilitre). (27 Sep 1997) |
| carbon-nitrogen ligases | <enzyme> Enzymes that catalyze the joining of two molecules by the formation of a carbon-nitrogen bond. Registry number: EC 6.3 (12 Dec 1998) |
| carbon-nitrogen ligases with glutamine as amide-n-donor | <enzyme> Enzymes that catalyze the joining of glutamine-derived ammonia and another molecule. The linkage is in the form of a carbon-nitrogen bond. Registry number: EC 6.3.5 (12 Dec 1998) |
| carbon-nitrogen lyases | <enzyme> Enzymes that catalyze the cleavage of a carbon-nitrogen bond by means other than hydrolysis or oxidation. Subclasses are the ammonia-lyases, the amidine-lyases, the amine-lyases, and other carbon-nitrogen lyases. Registry number: EC 4.3 (12 Dec 1998) |
| genes, nitrogen fixation | Regulatory and structural genes present in certain bacteria, algae and fungi that control the conversion of atmospheric nitrogen into biologically usable compounds; include nif structural genes (e.g., nifd, nifh) for nitrogenase and nitrate reductase as well as regulator genes nifa, nifb, ntra, ntrb, ntrc. Some are responsible for regulating transcription of genes involved in the assimilation of poor nitrogen sources in enteric bacteria. (12 Dec 1998) |
| rest nitrogen | The nitrogen content of other than protein bodies; e.g., about one-half the nonprotein nitrogen in the blood is contained in urea. Synonym: rest nitrogen. (05 Mar 2000) |
| heavy nitrogen | The less common stable nitrogen isotope, making up 0.37% of natural nitrogen. Synonym: heavy nitrogen. (05 Mar 2000) |
| nitrogen | <chemistry> A colourless nonmetallic element, tasteless and odorless, comprising four fifths of the atmosphere by volume. It is chemically very inert in the free state, and as such is incapable of supporting life (hence the name azote still used by French chemists); but it forms many important compounds, as ammonia, nitric acid, the cyanides, etc, and is a constituent of all organised living tissues, animal or vegetable. Symbol N. Atomic weight 14. It was formerly regarded as a permanent noncondensible gas, but was liquefied in 1877 by Cailletet of Paris, and Pictet of Geneva. Origin: L. Nitrum natron + -gen: cf. F. Nitrogene. See Niter. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| nitrogen-13 | A cyclotron-produced, positron-emitting radioisotope of nitrogen with a half-life of 9.97 minutes; used in protein metabolism studies and in positron-emission tomography. (05 Mar 2000) |
| nitrogen-14 | The common nitrogen isotope, making up 99.63% of natural nitrogen. (05 Mar 2000) |