| red drop effect | Experimental observation that the photosynthetic efficiency of monochromatic light is greatly reduced above 680 nm, even though chlorophyll absorbs well up to 700 nm. Led to the discovery of the two light reactions of photosynthesis. See: photosystems I and II. (18 Nov 1997) |
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| red fever | An acute infectious disease with fever, headache, and rash, all quite similar to, but milder than, epidemic typhus, caused by a related microoganism, rickettsia typhi (mooseri), transmitted to humans by rat fleas (xenopsylla cheopis). The animal reservoir includes rats, mice and other rodents. Murine typhus occurs sporadically worldwide but is more prevalent in congested rat-infested urban areas. Also known as endemic typhus, rat-flea typhus; urban typhus of malaya). (12 Dec 1998) |
| red fibres | Red striated muscle fibre's that are rich in sarcoplasm, myoglobin, and mitochondria; they are smaller in diameter and contract more slowly than white fibre's. (05 Mar 2000) |
| red-gum | 1. <medicine> An eruption of red pimples upon the face, neck, and arms, in early infancy; tooth rash; strophulus. 2. A name of rust on grain. See Rust. 3. Eucalyptus gum Origin: OE. Reed gounde; AS. Read red + gund matter, pus. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| red half-moon | <clinical sign> Irregular red discoloration of the usually pale demilune at the base of the fingernail; may be seen in congestive failure, malignant disease, or liver disease, but not specific for any of these. (05 Mar 2000) |
| red-handed | Having hands red with blood; in the very act, as if with red or bloody hands; said of a person taken in the act of homicide; hence, fresh from the commission of crime; as, he was taken red-hand or red-handed. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| red hepatisation | The first stage of hepatisation in which the exudate is blood-stained. (05 Mar 2000) |
| red induration | A condition observed in lungs in which there is an advanced degree of acute passive congestion, or acute pneumonitis (sometimes termed interstitial pneumonia), or a similar pathologic process. (05 Mar 2000) |
| red infarct | An infarct red in colour from infiltration of blood from collateral vessels into the necrotic area. Synonym: haemorrhagic gangrene, red infarct. (05 Mar 2000) |
| red lead | A bright orange-red powder that turns black when heated; used in ointments and plasters. Synonym: red lead, red oxide of lead. (05 Mar 2000) |
| red mange | Demodectic mange in dogs. (05 Mar 2000) |
| red muscle | Slow-twitch muscle in which small dark "red" muscle fibres predominate; myoglobin is abundant and great numbers of mitochondria occur, characterised by slow, sustained (tonic) contraction. Contrast with white muscle. (05 Mar 2000) |
| red neuralgia | Disease marked by paroxysmal, bilateral vasodilatation, particularly of the extremities, with burning pain, and increased skin temperature and redness. (12 Dec 1998) |
| red nucleus | A distinctive oval nucleus (pink in fresh specimens because of an iron-containing pigment in many of the cells) centrally placed in the upper mesencephalic reticular formation. It receives fibres from the deep cerebellar nuclei and cerebral cortex and projects fibres to the cerebellum, brainstem, spinal cord, and probably to the thalamus. The nucleus is divided into two regions: pars magnocellularis and pars parvocellularis. (12 Dec 1998) |
| red oxide of lead | A bright orange-red powder that turns black when heated; used in ointments and plasters. Synonym: red lead, red oxide of lead. (05 Mar 2000) |