| surface-active agent | Agents that modify interfacial tension of water; usually substances that have one lipophilic and one hydrophilic group in the molecule; includes soaps, detergents, emulsifiers, dispersing and wetting agents, and several groups of antiseptics. (12 Dec 1998) |
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| surface active compound | <biochemistry> Usually, in biological systems, means a detergent like molecule that is amphipathic and that will bind to the plasma membrane or to a surface with which cells come in contact, altering its properties from hydrophobic to hydrophilic or vice versa. (18 Nov 1997) |
| immunity, active | Resistance to a disease agent resulting from the production of specific antibodies by the host, either after exposure to the disease or after vaccination. (12 Dec 1998) |
| immunotherapy, active | Active immunization where vaccine is administered for therapeutic or preventive purposes. This can include administration of immunopotentiating agents such as bcg vaccine and corynebacterium parvum as well as biological response modifiers such as interferons, interleukins, and colony-stimulating factors in order to directly stimulate the immune system. (12 Dec 1998) |
| optically active | <chemistry> A material which can rotate plane-polarized light. (09 Jan 1998) |
| tensio active | Having an effect on surface tension. (18 Nov 1997) |