| nonpolar compound | A compound composed of molecules that possess a symmetrical distribution of charge, so that no positive or negative poles exist, and that are not ionizable in solution; e.g., hydrocarbons. See: organic compound. (05 Mar 2000) |
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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) |
| impression compound | A thermoplastic material usually composed of gum damar and prepared chalk, used especially for making dental impressions. Synonym: impression compound, modeling composition, modeling compound. (05 Mar 2000) |
| inclusion compound | The mechanical trapping of small molecules within spaces between other molecules; e.g., the inclusion of iodine molecules by starch molecules to form the well-known red-to-black "addition compound" (05 Mar 2000) |
| inorganic compound | A compound in which the atoms or radicals consist of elements other than carbon and are typically held together by electrostatic forces rather than by covalent bonds; often are capable of dissociation into ions in polar solvents (e.g., H2O). Compare: organic compound. (05 Mar 2000) |
| isocyclic compound | Any compound in which the constituent atoms, or any part of them, form a ring. Used mainly in organic chemistry where: 1) numerous compound's contain rings of carbon atoms (carbocyclic compound's) or carbon atoms plus one or more atoms of other types (heterocyclic compound's), usually nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur; 2) where the atoms in the ring are all of the same element (homocyclic or isocyclic compound); 3) where the ring is saturated or contains nonconjugated double bonds (alicyclic compound), the compound is similar in properties to the corresponding acyclic compound (e.g., cyclohexane resembles hexane); 4) where the ring contains conjugated double bonds in a closed loop in which there are 4n + 2 (where n is an integer) delocalised π electrons (Huckel's rule) (aromatic compound; e.g., benzene, pyridine), it is more stable than the corresponding saturated ring and exhibits unusual chemical properties characteristic of itself and not of other types of rings or of acyclic compound's. These aromatic compounds have the ability to sustain an induced ring current. Synonym: closed chain compound, ring compound. (05 Mar 2000) |
| open chain compound | An organic compound in which the chain does not form a ring. Synonym: aliphatic compound, open chain compound. (05 Mar 2000) |
| organic compound | <chemistry> A compound containing carbon. (11 Jan 1998) |
| lens, compound | <microscopy> A lens composed of two or more separate pieces of glass or other optical maternal. These component pieces or elements may or may not be cemented together. A common form of compound lens is a two-element objective, one element being a converging lens of crown glass and the other a diverging lens of flint glass. The combination of suitable glasses or other optical materials (plastics, minerals) properly ground and polished reduces aberrations normally present in a single lens. (05 Aug 1998) |
| ambulatory care | Medical care (including diagnosis, observation, treatment and rehabilitation) provided on an outpatient basis. Ambulatory care is given to persons who are not confined to a hospital but rather are ambulatory and, literally, are able to ambulate or walk about. (A well-baby visit is considered ambulatory care even though the baby is not walking). (12 Dec 1998) |
| ambulatory care facilities | Those facilities which administer health services to individuals who do not require hospitalization or institutionalization. (12 Dec 1998) |
| ambulatory care information systems | Information systems, usually computer-assisted, designed to store, manipulate, and retrieve information for planning, organizing, directing, and controlling administrative activities associated with the provision and utilization of ambulatory care services and facilities. (12 Dec 1998) |
| cancer care facilities | Institutions specializing in the care of cancer patients. (12 Dec 1998) |
| cardiac care facilities | Institutions specializing in the care of patients with heart disorders. (12 Dec 1998) |
| care | In medicine and public health, a general term for the application of knowledge to the benefit of a community or individual. (05 Mar 2000) |