| plasmacytoblast | Precursor of the plasma cell. Synonym: plasmacytoblast. Origin: plasma + G. Blastos, germ (05 Mar 2000) |
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| plasmacytoma | <oncology, tumour> Malignant tumour of plasma cells, very similar to a myeloma (plasmacytomas usually develop into multiple myeloma). Can easily be induced in rodents by the injection of complete Freund's adjuvant. Plasmacytoma cells are fused with primed lymphocytes in the production of monoclonal antibodies. (18 Nov 1997) |
| plasmacytoma of bone | Which is usually a solitary lesion and not associated with the occurrence of Bence Jones protein or other disturbances in the metabolism of protein (as observed in multiple myeloma). Some observers emphasize that the solitary lesion probably represents an early phase of classic multiple myeloma, or an example of the latter in which only one focus is recognised. (05 Mar 2000) |
| plasmacytosis | 1. Presence of plasma cells in the circulating blood. 2. Presence of unusually large proportions of plasma cells in the tissues or exudates. Origin: plasmacyte + G. -osis, condition (05 Mar 2000) |
| plasmagene | <molecular biology> Any self-replicating gene foundin the cytoplasm of a cell, outside the nucleus. This includes the DNA found in mitochondria. (31 Dec 1997) |
| plasmakinase | <enzyme> Obtained from the blood plasma of sudden death victims Pharmacological action: fibrinolytic agents Registry number: EC 3.4.- (26 Jun 1999) |
| plasmakinins | A group of highly active oligopeptides found in sera that act upon smooth muscle of blood vessels, uterus, bronchi, etc.; e.g., bradykinin, kallidin. (05 Mar 2000) |
| plasmal reaction | <chemistry> Long chain aliphatic aldehydes occurring in plasmalogens react with Schiff's reagent in the so called plasmal reaction, to form for example palmitaldehyde, stearaldehyde. (31 Dec 1997) |
| plasmalemma | <cell biology> Archaic name for the plasma membrane of a cell (the term often included the cortical cytoplasmic region). Adjectival derivative (plasmalemmal) still current. (31 Dec 1997) |
| plasmalogen | <biochemistry> A group of glycerol based phospholipids in which the aliphatic side chains are not attached by ester linkages. Widespread distribution, found mainly in brain and spinal cord tissue. Less easily studied than the acyl phospholipids. (13 Oct 1997) |
| plasmalogenase | <enzyme> Liberates free aldehyde plus glycerophosphoethanolamine from lysoplasmalogen (1-alk-1'-enyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine Chemical name: 1-alk-1'-enyl-2-acyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphorylethanolamine aldehydohydrolase Registry number: EC 3.3.2.- Synonym: lysoplasmalogenase (26 Jun 1999) |
| plasmalogens | Generic term for glycerophospholipids in which the glycerol moiety bears a 1-alkenyl ether group (on rarer occasions, a 1-alkyl ether group); e.g., alk-1-enylglycerophospholipid; plasmalogens synthesis is reduced in disorders of the peroxisome. Synonym: phosphoglyceracetals. (05 Mar 2000) |
| plasmals | Long-chain aldehydes occurring in plasmalogens; e.g., stearaldehyde, palmitaldehyde. (05 Mar 2000) |
| plasmanylethanolamine desaturase | <enzyme> Converts 1-alkyl-2-acyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine to alk-1-enyl-2-acyl-gpe (plasmenylethanolamine); requires cytochrome b5, molecular oxygen and either NADPH or NADH Registry number: EC 1.14.99.19 Synonym: alkylacylglycerophosphoethanolamine desaturase, plasmanylethanolamine delta-1-desaturase, alkylacyl-gpe desaturase, delta-1'-fatty acid desaturase (26 Jun 1999) |
| plasmapheresis | <procedure> Centrifuging blood that has been removed from the body to separate the cellular elements from the plasma. (31 Dec 1997) |