| plasma cells | Special white blood cells that produce antibodies. (12 Dec 1998) |
|---|---|
| plasma containment | <physics> In physics experiments or nuclear fusion experiments, operation is intended to prevent, in an effective and sufficiently prolonged manner, the particles of a plasma from striking the walls of the container in which this plasma is produced. Plasma confinement is a fundamental requirement for obtaining net energy from a fusion plasma. The reason is that scattering (hence diffusion) is at least an order of magnitude more probable than fusion reactions. Hence, without confinement, the plasma fuel would disperse before enough fusion reactions could take place. (31 Dec 1997) |
| plasma exchange | Removal of plasma and replacement with various fluids, e.g., fresh frozen plasma, plasma protein fractions (ppf), albumin preparations, dextran solutions, saline. Used in treatment of autoimmune diseases, immune complex diseases, diseases of excess plasma factors, and other conditions. (12 Dec 1998) |
| plasma expander | Artificial plasma extender. (18 Nov 1997) |
| plasma factor X | <chemical> Storage-stable blood coagulation factor acting in the intrinsic pathway. Its activated form, ixa, forms a complex with factor viii and calcium on platelet factor 3 to activate factor x to xa. Deficiency of factor ix results in christmas disease (haemophilia b). Chemical name: Blood-coagulation factor IX (12 Dec 1998) |
| plasma fibronectin | A circulating a2-glycoprotein that functions as an opsonin, mediating reticuloendothelial and macrophage clearance of fibrin microaggregates, collagen debris, and bacterial particulates, protecting microvascular perfusion and lymphatic drainage. (05 Mar 2000) |
| plasma focus | <radiobiology> The Plasma Focus is another device which depends on the pinch effect. Possible applications include both fusion and plasma propulsion, as well as other plasma research. In essence the plasma focus is generated by discharge of a current across the ends of two coaxial insulated conducting pipes. The Plasma Focus caused a huge stir when they generated copious neutrons, until it was discovered that the source of the neutrons was knockoffs from deuterium due to pinch accelerated electrons or ions. Plasma focus is sort of a point version of the Zpinch. (09 Oct 1997) |
| plasma frequency | <radiobiology> The natural collective oscillation frequency of a charge species (electrons, ions, etc.) in a plasma, in the absence of (or at least parallel to) a magnetic field. Also known as Langmuir or Langmuir-Tonks frequency. See: electrostatic waves, plasma oscillations. (09 Oct 1997) |
| plasma hydrolysate | An artificial digest of protein derived from bovine blood plasma prepared by a method of hydrolysis sufficient to provide more than half of the total nitrogen present in the form of alpha-amino nitrogen; used when high protein intake is indicated and cannot be accomplished through ordinary foods. See: protein hydrolysate. (05 Mar 2000) |
| plasma kallikrein | <protein> A plasma serine protease with an apple domain. (18 Nov 1997) |
| plasma labile factor | <chemical> Heat- and storage-labile plasma glycoprotein which accelerates the conversion of prothrombin to thrombin in blood coagulation. Factor v accomplishes this by forming a complex with factor xa, phospholipid, and calcium (prothrombinase complex). Deficiency of factor v leads to owren's disease. Chemical name: Blood-coagulation factor V (12 Dec 1998) |
| plasma layer | The layer of the bloodstream in the capillary vessels, next to the wall of the vessel, that flows slowly and transports the white blood cells along the layer wall, while in the centre the flow is rapid and transports the red blood cells. Synonym: plasma layer, Poiseuille's space, sluggish layer. (05 Mar 2000) |
| plasma marinum | Sea water diluted to make it isotonic with plasma. (05 Mar 2000) |
| plasma membrane | <cell biology> The external, limiting lipid bilayer membrane of cells. (31 Dec 1997) |
| plasma oscillations | <radiobiology> Class of electrostatic oscillations which occur at/near the plasma frequency and involve oscillations in the plasma charge density. Also known as Langmuir Oscillations, In Stix's _Waves in Plasmas_ these are called Langmuir-Tonks Plasma Oscillations. (09 Oct 1997) |