| plant root cap | A cone-shaped structure in plants made up of a mass of meristematic cells that covers and protects the tip of a growing root. It is the putative site of gravity sensing in plant roots. (12 Dec 1998) |
|---|---|
| cradle cap | <dermatology> A form of seborrheic dermatitis of the scalp in infants that is characterised by flaky or scaly skin which may be reddened. May involve the skin on the nose, eyebrows, scalp, ears and skin of the trunk (in skin folds). A weak 0.5% hydrocortisone cream can be effective in controlling this problem. (27 Sep 1997) |
| head cap | A collapsed membranous vesicle that covers the anterior part of the nucleus of the spermatozoon, derived from the acrosomal granule; the carbohydrate-rich substance of the cap is associated with hydrolytic enzymes that aid in sperm penetration of the zona pellucida of the ovum. Synonym: head cap. (05 Mar 2000) |
| pyloric cap | Archaic term for duodenal cap. (05 Mar 2000) |
| duodenal cap | The first portion of the duodenum, as seen in a roentgenogram or by fluoroscopy. Synonym: duodenal bulb. (05 Mar 2000) |
| enamel cap | The enamel covering the crown of a tooth. (05 Mar 2000) |
| knee cap dislocation | <orthopaedics> A dislocation of the knee cap most often occurs with the knee cap moving laterally (toward the outer aspect of the leg). Features include a partially flexed knee joint with obvious displacement of the knee cap laterally. Reduction is accomplished with knee joint extension and gently coaxing the knee cap back to the midline. (17 Dec 1997) |
| androgen-binding proteins | Carrier proteins produced in the sertoli cells of the testis, secreted into the seminiferous tubules, and transported via the efferent ducts to the epididymis. Participate in the transport of androgens; include also synthetic androgens binding proteins. (12 Dec 1998) |
| antigen-binding site | <immunology> In immune network theory, an idiotope, an antigenic site of an antibody that is responsible for that antibody binding to an antigenic determinant (epitope). Also used of the site on a ligand molecule to which a cell surface receptor binds. (18 Nov 1997) |
| binding | <biochemistry, chemistry, molecular biology> The adherence of molecules to one another, for example, enzymes to substrates, antibodies to antigens, DNA strands to their complementary strands. Binding occurs because the shape and chemical natures of parts of the molecules surfaces are complementary. A common metaphor is the "lock-and-key," used to describe how enzymes fit around their substrate. (14 Nov 1997) |
| binding constant | <chemistry> Reciprocal of dissociation constant. A measure of the extent of a reversible association between two molecular species at equilibrium. (18 Nov 1997) |
| binding energy | <chemistry, radiobiology> The binding energy of a nucleus is the minimum energy required to dissociate it into its component neutrons and protons. Neutron or proton binding energies are those required to remove a neutron or proton, respectively, from a nucleus. Electron binding energy is that required to remove an electron from an atom or a molecule. (16 Dec 1997) |
| binding sites | The reactive parts of a macromolecule that directly participate in its specific combination with another molecule. (12 Dec 1998) |
| binding sites, antibody | Local surface sites on antibodies which react with antigen determinant sites on antigens. They are formed from parts of the variable regions of the fab fragment of the immunoglobulin. (12 Dec 1998) |
| calmodulin-binding proteins | Proteins which bind calmodulin. They are found in many tissues and have a variety of functions including f-actin cross-linking properties, inhibition of cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase and calcium and magnesium atpases. (12 Dec 1998) |