| M phase | Mitotic phase of cell cycle of eukaryotic cells, as distinct from the remainder, which is known as interphase (and that can be further subdivided as G1, s and G2). Beginning of M is signalled by separation of centrioles, where present and by the condensation of chromatin into chromosomes. M phase ends with the establishment of nuclear membranes around the two daughter nuclei, normally followed immediately by cell division (cytokinesis). (18 Nov 1997) |
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| M phase promoting factor | Protein whose levels rise rapidly just before and fall away just after, mitosis. Thought to be a trigger for mitosis. (18 Nov 1997) |
| plateau phase | <oncology> Stable stage of disease in multiple myeloma following good response to anti-cancer treatment. (31 Dec 1997) |
| continuous phase | The medium or fluid in which a disperse is suspended. Synonym: continuous phase, dispersion medium, dispersion phase, external medium. (05 Mar 2000) |
| coupling phase | The physical relationship of two syntenic genes. If they are on the same chromosome, they are said to be "in coupling" or "in the cis phase"; if on opposite members of a chromosome pair, "in repulsion" or "in the trans phase." (05 Mar 2000) |
| positive phase | The period following the negative phase, during which the opsonic index rises. (05 Mar 2000) |
| postimplantation phase | The time period between implantation and placentation. (12 Dec 1998) |
| postmeiotic phase | The stage following that of reduction of the chromosomes in the sexual cells, representing the mature forms of these cells, ending with the conjugation of the nuclei in the impregnated ovum. Synonym: postreduction phase. (05 Mar 2000) |
| postmitotic phase | The period of the cell cycle after cell division when there is synthesis of RNA and protein; it may last for a few hours in rapidly growing tissue or a lifetime in non-renewing cells such as nerve cells. Synonym: Gap1 phase, postmitotic phase. (05 Mar 2000) |
| postreduction phase | The stage following that of reduction of the chromosomes in the sexual cells, representing the mature forms of these cells, ending with the conjugation of the nuclei in the impregnated ovum. Synonym: postreduction phase. (05 Mar 2000) |
| poststationary phase | The period in the growth of a bacterial culture in which growth is declining. (05 Mar 2000) |
| pregenital phase | In psychoanalysis, the collective psychosexual development phase's preceding the genital phase. (05 Mar 2000) |
| preimplantation phase | The time period between fertilization and implantation. (12 Dec 1998) |
| premeiotic phase | The stage of nuclear changes in the sexual cells before the reduction of the chromosomes, embracing the cell generations up to that of the spermatogonia and oogonia. Synonym: prereduction phase. (05 Mar 2000) |
| premitotic phase | The period in the cell cycle when synthesis of DNA is completed but before mitosis begins. Synonym: Gap2 phase, premitotic phase. (05 Mar 2000) |