| plasma focus | <radiobiology> The Plasma Focus is another device which depends on the pinch effect. Possible applications include both fusion and plasma propulsion, as well as other plasma research. In essence the plasma focus is generated by discharge of a current across the ends of two coaxial insulated conducting pipes. The Plasma Focus caused a huge stir when they generated copious neutrons, until it was discovered that the source of the neutrons was knockoffs from deuterium due to pinch accelerated electrons or ions. Plasma focus is sort of a point version of the Zpinch. (09 Oct 1997) |
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| plasma frequency | <radiobiology> The natural collective oscillation frequency of a charge species (electrons, ions, etc.) in a plasma, in the absence of (or at least parallel to) a magnetic field. Also known as Langmuir or Langmuir-Tonks frequency. See: electrostatic waves, plasma oscillations. (09 Oct 1997) |
| plasma hydrolysate | An artificial digest of protein derived from bovine blood plasma prepared by a method of hydrolysis sufficient to provide more than half of the total nitrogen present in the form of alpha-amino nitrogen; used when high protein intake is indicated and cannot be accomplished through ordinary foods. See: protein hydrolysate. (05 Mar 2000) |
| plasma kallikrein | <protein> A plasma serine protease with an apple domain. (18 Nov 1997) |
| plasma labile factor | <chemical> Heat- and storage-labile plasma glycoprotein which accelerates the conversion of prothrombin to thrombin in blood coagulation. Factor v accomplishes this by forming a complex with factor xa, phospholipid, and calcium (prothrombinase complex). Deficiency of factor v leads to owren's disease. Chemical name: Blood-coagulation factor V (12 Dec 1998) |
| plasma layer | The layer of the bloodstream in the capillary vessels, next to the wall of the vessel, that flows slowly and transports the white blood cells along the layer wall, while in the centre the flow is rapid and transports the red blood cells. Synonym: plasma layer, Poiseuille's space, sluggish layer. (05 Mar 2000) |
| plasma marinum | Sea water diluted to make it isotonic with plasma. (05 Mar 2000) |
| plasma membrane | <cell biology> The external, limiting lipid bilayer membrane of cells. (31 Dec 1997) |
| plasma oscillations | <radiobiology> Class of electrostatic oscillations which occur at/near the plasma frequency and involve oscillations in the plasma charge density. Also known as Langmuir Oscillations, In Stix's _Waves in Plasmas_ these are called Langmuir-Tonks Plasma Oscillations. (09 Oct 1997) |
| plasma protein | <haematology> One of the hundreds of different proteins present in blood plasma, including carrier proteins (such albumin, transferrin and haptoglobin), fibrinogen and other coagulation factors, complement components, immunoglobulins, enzyme inhibitors, precursors of substances such as angiotension and bradykinin and many other types of proteins. (14 Oct 1997) |
| plasma proteins | Dissolved protein's (more than 100) of blood plasma, mainly albumins and globulins (normally 6 to 8 g/100 ml); they hold fluid in blood vessels by osmosis and include antibodies and blood-clotting protein's. Synonym: serum proteins. (05 Mar 2000) |
| plasma renin activity | The estimation of renin in plasma by measuring the rate of formation of angiotensin I or II. (05 Mar 2000) |
| plasma scalpel | A scalpel that uses a fine high-temperature gas jet, instead of a blade, for cutting. (05 Mar 2000) |
| plasma stain | <technique> Plasmatic stainplasmic stain, a stain whose principal affinity is for the cytoplasm of cells. (05 Mar 2000) |
| plasma substitute | A solution of a substance (e.g., dextran) used for transfusion in haemorrhage or shock as a substitute for plasma. Synonym: plasma expander. (05 Mar 2000) |