| active anaphylaxis | Reaction following inoculation of antigen in a subject previously sensitised to the specific antigen, in contrast to passive anaphylaxis. (05 Mar 2000) |
|---|---|
| active biomass | <cell biology> The amount of a given culture that is actively growing. (06 May 1997) |
| active carbon dioxide | Activated carbon dioxide, a complex of N-carboxybiotin (biotin + CO2) and an enzyme; the form in which carbon dioxide is added to other molecules in carboxylations; e.g., to methylcrotonyl-CoA to form beta-methylglutaconyl in the catabolism of leucine, and to acetyl-CoA to form malonyl-CoA. See: acetyl-CoA carboxylase. (05 Mar 2000) |
| active caries | Microbial-induced lesions of teeth that are increasing in size. (05 Mar 2000) |
| active centre | The part of a macromolecule at which a substrate or ligand, upon binding, produces biological activity; for an enzyme, this is the catalytic centre, the site on an enzyme that catalyses the reaction. (05 Mar 2000) |
| active congestion | Congestion due to an increased flow of arterial blood to a part. (05 Mar 2000) |
| active electrode | A small electrode whose exciting effect is used to stimulate or record potentials from a localised area. Synonym: exciting electrode, localizing electrode, therapeutic electrode. (05 Mar 2000) |
| active immunity | <immunology> An organisms resistance to disease or infection, developed because the organisms immune system has produced antibodies after an infection or innoculation. (06 May 1997) |
| active immunization | The production of active immunity. (05 Mar 2000) |
| active inflammation | Any inflammation that has a fairly rapid onset, quickly becomes severe, usually manifested for only a few days, but may persist for several days or even a few weeks. Synonym: active inflammation. (05 Mar 2000) |
| active labour | Contractions resulting in progressive effacement and dilation of the cervix. (05 Mar 2000) |
| active length-tension curve | The relationship between active isometric tension and preload (rest length) for a contracting muscle. (05 Mar 2000) |
| active metal | <chemistry> Any very reactive metal, such as magnesium or sodium, most are located in the first two columns of the periodic table. (15 Jan 1998) |
| active methionine | S-(5'-deoxy-5'-adenosyl)-l-methionine;condensation product of adenosine and l-methionine involving replacement of the -OPO3H2 of adenylic acid by -S+ (CH3)CH2CH2CH(NH3+)CO 2 of methionine; a sulfonium compound bearing a methyl group that is transferred in transmethylation reactions. See: methionine adenosyltransferase. Synonym: active methionine. Acronym: SAM (05 Mar 2000) |
| active methyl | A methyl group attached to a quaternary ammonium ion or a tertiary sulfonium ion that can take part in transmethylation reactions; e.g., methyl groups in choline and in S-adenosyl-l-methionine, which are thus methyl donors. (05 Mar 2000) |