| chemiosmotic theory | The theory that the synthesis of ATP (an energy source made and used by the organism) within mitochondria and chloroplasts occurs by way of a proton gradient which forms when electrons are passed through their inner membranes. When protons are then passed through the inner membrane in the opposite direction, energy is released and used to make ATP. (09 Oct 1997) |
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| Ribbert's theory | <oncology> That a neoplasm may result when a reduction in tension (exerted by adjacent tissues) leads to conditions favourable to uncontrolled growth of cell rests. (05 Mar 2000) |
| permeability theory of narcosis | That the permeability of the cell membrane is decreased by narcotic concentrations of aliphatic and other central nervous system depressants. (05 Mar 2000) |
| personal construct theory | A psychological theory based on dimensions or categories used by a given person in describing or explaining the personality and behaviour of others or of himself. The basic idea is that different people will use consistently different categories. The theory was formulated in the fifties by george kelly. Two tests devised by him are the role construct repertory test and the repertory grid test. (12 Dec 1998) |
| Metchnikoff's theory | The phagocytic theory, that the body is protected against infection by the leukocytes and other cells that engulf and destroy the invading microorganisms. (05 Mar 2000) |
| Meyer-Overton theory of narcosis | That narcotic efficiency parallels the coefficient of partition between oil and water, and that lipoids in the cell and on the cell membrane absorb the drug because of this affinity. Synonym: Meyer-Overton theory of narcosis. (05 Mar 2000) |
| miasma theory | An explanation of the origin of epidemics, based on the false notion that they were caused by air of bad quality, e.g., emanating from rotting vegetation in marshes or swamps. (05 Mar 2000) |
| phlogiston theory | <chemistry> The hypothetical principle of fire, or inflammability, regarded by Stahl as a chemical element. This was supposed to be united with combustible (phlogisticated) bodies and to be separated from incombustible (dephlogisticated) bodies, the phenomena of flame and burning being the escape of phlogiston. Soot and sulphur were regarded as nearly pure phlogiston. The essential principle of this theory was, that combustion was a decomposition rather than the union and combination which it has since been shown to be. Origin: NL, fr. Gr. Burnt, set on fire, fr. To set on fire, to burn, fr, a flame, blaze. See Phlox. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| migration theory | An obsolete theory that sympathetic ophthalmia is caused by a migration of the pathogenic agent through the lymph channels of the optic nerve. (05 Mar 2000) |
| Miller's chemicoparasitic theory | That dental caries is caused by microorganisms of the mouth fermenting dietary carbohydrates and producing acids that demineralise the teeth. (05 Mar 2000) |
| cloacal theory | The belief sometimes held by neurotic adults or children that a child is born, as a stool is passed, from a common opening. (05 Mar 2000) |
| mnaemic theory | The theory that stimuli or irritants leave definite traces (engrams) on the protoplasm of the animal or plant, and when these stimuli are regularly repeated they induce a habit which persists after the stimuli cease; assuming that the germ cells share with the nerve cells in the possession of engrams, acquired habits may thus be transmitted to the descendants. Synonym: mnaemic theory, mnemism, Semon-Hering theory. (05 Mar 2000) |
| molecular dissociation theory | A theory, pertaining to colour vision, that gray is the earliest of colour sensations, from which are derived, by molecular change, two paired substances that, respectively, detect yellow and blue, and that the yellow gives rise to paired substances for detection of red and green. Synonym: Ladd-Franklin theory. (05 Mar 2000) |
| Warburg's theory | That the development of cancer is due to irreversible damage to the respiratory mechanism of cells, leading to the selective multiplication of cells with increased glycolytic metabolism, both aerobic and anaerobic. (05 Mar 2000) |
| cognitive dissonance theory | <psychology> A theory of attitude formation and behaviour describing a motivational state that exists when an individual's cognitive elements (attitudes, perceived behaviours, etc.) are inconsistent with each other, such as the espousal of the Ten Commandments concurrent with the belief that it is all right to cheat on one's taxes; a test which indicates that persons try to achieve consistency (consonance) and avoid dissonance which, when it arises, may be coped with by changing one's attitudes, rationalizing, selective perception, and other means. See: balance theory, consistency principle. (05 Mar 2000) |