| evolution, biologic | A.G. Motulsky in 1968 contrasted biologic evolution with cultural evolution, pointing out that biologic evolution is mediated by genes, shows a slow rate of change, employs random variation (mutations) and selection as agents of change, new variants are often harmful, these new variants are transmitted from parents to offspring, the mode of transmission is simple, complexity is achieved by the rare formation of new genes by chromosome duplication, biologic evolution occurs with all forms of life, and the biology of humans requires cultural evolution. See Evolution, cultural. (12 Dec 1998) |
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| evolution, chemical | Chemical and physical transformation of the biogenic elements from their nucleosynthesis in stars to their incorporation and subsequent modification in planetary bodies and terrestrial biochemistry. It includes the mechanism of incorporation of biogenic elements into complex molecules and molecular systems, leading up to the origin of life. (12 Dec 1998) |
| evolution, cultural | By contrast with biologic evolution, A.G. Motulsky in 1968 pointed out that social evolution is mediated by ideas, shows a rapid (exponential) rate of change, is usually purposeful, often beneficial, is widely disseminated by diverse means, is frequently transmitted in complex ways, further complexity comes from the frequent formation of new ideas and new technologies. Cultural evolution is unique to humans among all forms of life. Human culture required biologic evolution to achieve the human brain. See Evolution, social. (12 Dec 1998) |
| evolution, molecular | Evolution at the molecular level of DNA sequences and proteins. (rieger et al., glossary of genetics: classical and molecular, 5th ed) (12 Dec 1998) |
| evolution, planetary | Creation and development of bodies within solar systems, includes study of early planetary geology. (12 Dec 1998) |
| abdominal wall fat pad biopsy | <investigation, procedure, surgery> The removal of a small specimen of the abdominal wall fat pad for microscopic examination. Often used in the diagnosis of amyloidosis. Performed with a local anaesthetic. (25 Jun 1999) |
| Bichat's fat-pad | An encapsuled mass of fat in the cheek on the outer side of the buccinator muscle, especially marked in the infant; supposed to strengthen and support the cheek during the act of sucking. Synonym: corpus adiposum buccae, Bichat's fat-pad, Bichat's protuberance, fat body of cheek, sucking cushion, sucking pad, suctorial pad. (05 Mar 2000) |
| brown fat | A thermogenic type of adipose tissue containing a dark pigment, and arising during embryonic life in certain specific areas in many mammals, including man. It is prominent in the newborn of all species in which it occurs and remains a distinct and conspicuous tissue in the adults of certain species, especially those that hibernate. It is also called brown adipose tissue. (12 Dec 1998) |
| brown fat cell | <pathology> Brown fat is specialised for heat production and the adipocytes have many mitochondria in which an inner membrane protein can act as an uncoupler of oxidative phosphorylation allowing rapid thermogenesis. (18 Nov 1997) |
| buccal fat-pad | An encapsuled mass of fat in the cheek on the outer side of the buccinator muscle, especially marked in the infant; supposed to strengthen and support the cheek during the act of sucking. Synonym: corpus adiposum buccae, Bichat's fat-pad, Bichat's protuberance, fat body of cheek, sucking cushion, sucking pad, suctorial pad. (05 Mar 2000) |
| chicken fat clot | Clot formed in vitro or postmortem from leukocytes and plasma of sedimented blood. (05 Mar 2000) |
| combined fat-and carbohydrate-induced hyperlipaemia | Hyperlipoproteinaemia characterised by increased plasma levels of chylomicrons, VLDL, pre-beta-lipoproteins, and triglycerides, and slight rise of cholesterol on a normal diet, with beta-lipoproteins normal; may be accompanied by bouts of abdominal pain, hepatosplenomegaly, susceptibility to atherosclerosis, and abnormal glucose tolerance; probably autosomal recessive inheritance. Synonym: combined fat-and carbohydrate-induced hyperlipaemia, familial hyperchylomicronaemia with hyperprebetalipoproteinaemia, mixed hyperlipaemia. (05 Mar 2000) |
| white fat | <anatomy> Connective tissue that has been specialised to store fat. See: adipocyte. (25 Jun 1999) |
| multilocular fat | A thermogenic type of adipose tissue containing a dark pigment, and arising during embryonic life in certain specific areas in many mammals, including man. It is prominent in the newborn of all species in which it occurs and remains a distinct and conspicuous tissue in the adults of certain species, especially those that hibernate. It is also called brown adipose tissue. (12 Dec 1998) |
| wool fat | <physiology> A peculiar fatlike body, made up of cholesterin and certain fatty acids, found in feathers, hair, wool, and keratin tissues generally. Under the same name, it is prepared from wool for commercial purposes, and forms an admirable basis for ointments, being readily absorbed by the skin. Origin: L. Lana wool + oleum oil. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |