| protective laryngeal reflex | Closure of the glottis to prevent entry of foreign substances into the respiratory tract. (05 Mar 2000) |
|---|---|
| protective protein | An immunoglobulin molecule that has a specific amino acid sequence by virtue of which it interacts only with the antigen that induced its synthesis in cells of the lymphoid series (especially plasma cells) or with antigen closely related to it. Antibodies are classified according to their ode of action as agglutinins, bacteriolysins, haemolysins, opsonins, precipitins, etc. (18 Nov 1997) |
| protective spectacles | Spectacles which protect against ultraviolet or infrared rays or against mechanical injuries. Synonym: safety spectacles. (05 Mar 2000) |
| protective zone | The time in the cardiac cycle, immediately following the vulnerable period, during which a second stimulus will prevent the initiation of ventricular fibrillation by a previous stimulus applied during the vulnerable period, probably by blocking a reentrant pathway. (05 Mar 2000) |
| protector | 1. One who, or that which, defends or shields from injury, evil, oppression, etc.; a defender; a guardian; a patron. "For the world's protector shall be known." (Waller) 2. One having the care of the kingdom during the king's minority; a regent. "Is it concluded he shall be protector !" (Shak) 3. A cardinal, from one of the more considerable Roman Catholic nations, who looks after the interests of his people at Rome; also, a cardinal who has the same relation to a college, religious order, etc. Lord Protector, the title of Oliver Cromwell as supreme governor of the British Commonwealth (1653-1658). Origin: L., cf. F. Protecteur. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| protectrix | A woman who protects. Origin: NL. Protectrix. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| Proteeae | A tribe within the bacterial family Enterobacteriaceae that includes the three genera: Proteus, Morganella, and Providencia. (05 Mar 2000) |
| proteid | <physiology> One of a class of amorphous nitrogenous principles, containing, as a rule, a small amount of sulphur; an albuminoid, as blood fibrin, casein of milk, etc. Proteids are present in nearly all animal fluids and make up the greater part of animal tissues and organs. They are also important constituents of vegetable tissues. See Note under Food. Pro"teid. Origin: Gr. First. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| proteidae | The proteidae family of permanently larval aquatic salamanders. It consists of two living genera - necturus (mudpuppy) of the eastern united states and proteus (the european olm). (12 Dec 1998) |
| proteidea | <zoology> An order of aquatic amphibians having prominent external gills and four legs. It includes Proteus and Menobranchus (Necturus). Synonym: Proteoidea, and Proteida. Origin: NL. See Proteus, and -oid. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| proteiform | <zoology> Changeable in form; resembling a Proteus, or an amoeba. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| protein | <biochemistry> Any of a group of complex organic compounds which contain carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen and usually sulphur, the characteristic element being nitrogen and which are widely distributed in plants and animals. Proteins, the principal constituents of the protoplasm of all cells, are of high molecular weight and consist essentially of combinations of a amino acids in peptide linkages. Twenty different amino acids are commonly found in proteins and each protein has a unique, genetically defined amino acid sequence which determines its specific shape and function. They serve as enzymes, structural elements, hormones, immunoglobulins, etc. And are involved in oxygen transport, muscle contraction, electron transport and other activities throughout the body and in photosynthesis. Origin: Gr. Protos = first (18 Nov 1997) |
| protein 4.1 | A peripheral protein that binds tightly to spectrin in the red cell membrane; it also binds to certain glycophorins and helps determine the shape and flexibility of the red blood cell. (05 Mar 2000) |
| protein A | Protein obtained from Staphylococcus aureus that binds immunoglobulin molecules without interfering with their binding to antigen. Widely used in purification of immunoglobulins and in antigen detection, for example by immunoprecipitation. A very effective B-cell mitogen. (18 Nov 1997) |
| protein A24 lyase | <enzyme> Releases histone 2a and ubiquitin from chromosomal protein a24 Registry number: EC 4.- (26 Jun 1999) |