| signal response coupling | The cascade of processes by which an extracellular signal (typically a hormone or neurotransmitter) interacts with a receptor at the cell surface, causing a change in the level of a second messenger for example calcium or cyclic AMP) and ultimately effects a change in the cells functioning (for example: triggering glucose uptake or initiating cell division). Can also be applied to sensory signal transduction, for example of light at photoreceptors. (18 Nov 1997) |
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| hypersensitive response | An active response of plant cells to pathogenic attack in which the cell undergoes rapid necrosis and dies. Associated with the production of phytoalexins, lignin and sometimes callose. The response is thought to prevent a potential pathogen from spreading through the tissues. (18 Nov 1997) |
| sonomotor response | Widespread myogenic potential evoked by click stimulation. (05 Mar 2000) |
| sos response (genetics) | An error-prone mechanism or set of functions for repairing damaged microbial DNA. Sos functions (a concept reputedly derived from the sos of the international distress signal) are involved in DNA repair and mutagenesis, in cell division inhibition, in recovery of normal physiological conditions after DNA repair, and possibly in cell death when DNA damage is extensive. (12 Dec 1998) |
| stringent response | The cellular response to amino acid starvation that reduces the amount of ribosomes to what can be employed under the nutrient conditions. (05 Mar 2000) |
| depletion response | Subnormal metabolic response to trauma in a person whose physiologic processes are already depressed by disease. (05 Mar 2000) |
| dose-response curve | This is a graph to show the relation between the dose of a drug or other chemical and the degree of response it produces, as measured by the percentage of the exposed population showing a defined, often quantal, effect. (09 Oct 1997) |
| dose-response relationship | Relationship in which a change in the amount, intensity, or duration of exposure is associated with a change in risk of a specified outcome. (05 Mar 2000) |
| dose-response relationship, drug | The relationship between the dose of an administered drug and the response of the organism to the drug. (12 Dec 1998) |
| dose-response relationship, immunologic | A specific immune response elicited by a specific dose of an immunologically active substance or cell in an organism, tissue, or cell. (12 Dec 1998) |
| dose-response relationship, radiation | The relationship between the dose of administered radiation and the response of the organism or tissue to the radiation. (12 Dec 1998) |
| immune response | <immunology> Alteration in the reactivity of an organisms immune system in response to an antigen, in vertebrates, this may involve antibody production, induction of cell-mediated immunity, complement activation or development of immunological tolerance. (18 Nov 1997) |
| immune-response gene | <molecular biology> Any of several genes of the major histocompatibility complex that control the immune response of lymphocytes to specific antigens. (09 Oct 1997) |
| immune response genes | Gene's in the HLA-D region of the histocompatibility complex of human chromosome 6 which control the immune response to specific antigens. (05 Mar 2000) |
| inflammatory response | A part of innate immunity. Inflammation occurs when tissues are injured by viruses, bacteria, trauma, chemicals, heat, cold or any other harmful stimulus. Chemicals including bradykinin, histamine, serotonin and others are released by specialised cells. These chemicals attract tissue macrophages and white blood cells to localise in an area to engulf (phagocytize) and destroy foreign substances. A byproduct of this activity is the formation of pus--a combination of white blood cells, bacteria and foreign debris. The chemical mediators released during the inflammatory response give rise to the typical findings associated with inflammation. (27 Sep 1997) |