| stem cells | Relatively undifferentiated cells of the same lineage (family type) that retain the ability to divide and cycle throughout postnatal life to provide cells that can become specialised and take the place of those that die or are lost. (12 Dec 1998) |
|---|---|
| stem-clasping | <botany> Embracing the stem with its base; amplexicaul; as a leaf or petiole. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| quiescent stem cell | A stem cell that is not at that time undergoing repeated cell cycles but that might be stimulated so to do later. For example: the satellite cells in the skeletal muscles of mammals that are quiescent myoblasts that will proliferate after wounding and give rise to more muscle cells by fusion. (18 Nov 1997) |
| infundibular stem | The neural component of the pituitary stalk that contains nerve tracts passing from the hypothalamus to the pars nervosa. Synonym: infundibular stalk. (05 Mar 2000) |
| tumour stem cell assay | <investigation> A cytologic technique for measuring the functional capacity of tumour stem cells by assaying their activity. It is used primarily for the in vitro testing of antineoplastic agent. (12 Dec 1998) |
| tumour stem cells | <cell biology> Colony-forming cells which give rise to neoplasms. (12 Dec 1998) |
| active length-tension curve | The relationship between active isometric tension and preload (rest length) for a contracting muscle. (05 Mar 2000) |
| amplified fragment length polymorphism | <technique> Invented by KeyGene, a Dutch biotech company based in Wageningen, Holland. The technique is now merchandised under licence agreement by Perkin Elmer. Selected markers are amplified in a PCR, which makes amplified fragment length polymorphism an easy and fast tool for strain identification in agriculture, botany, microbiology and animal breeding. Acronym: AFLP (05 Feb 1998) |
| arch length | The amount of space required for the permanent teeth as measured from the mesial aspect of the first molar on one side to the mesial aspect of the first molar on the opposite side, as measured through the contact points along an imaginary line of the dental arch. (05 Mar 2000) |
| arch length deficiency | The difference between the available circumference of the dental arch and that required to accommodate the succedaneous teeth in proper alignment. (05 Mar 2000) |
| available arch length | <dentistry> The amount of space available for the permanent teeth around the dental arch from the first permanent molar on the left to the first permanent molar on the right. (05 Mar 2000) |
| back focal length | <microscopy> As measured on the principal axis, from the second lens vertex to the back focal point of the lens. It is not the equivalent of the focal length. (05 Aug 1998) |
| bellows length | <microscopy> The distance from the eye point to the image plane in a photomicrographic apparatus. (05 Aug 1998) |
| bond length | This is the distance between the nuclei of two atoms which have formed bonds with each other. (09 Oct 1997) |
| passive length-tension curve | The relationship between passive tension and preload (rest length) for a muscle at rest. (05 Mar 2000) |