| calcite | <microscopy> A doubly refracting mineral used in the manufacture of polarizing prisms. It is uniaxial negative and in the trigonal diversion of the hexagonal system of crystals. Its indexes are epsilon =1.486, omega =1.658, its hardness is 3 on the Mohr scale and specific gravity 2.711. See: balsam, Canada. (05 Aug 1998) |
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| calcitetrol | The 1,24,25-triol (thus, a 1,3,24,24-tetrol) of cholecalciferol. (05 Mar 2000) |
| calcitonin | <protein> A polypeptide hormone produced by C cells of the thyroid that causes a reduction of calcium ions in the blood. (18 Nov 1997) |
| calcitonin gene-related peptide | <protein> A second product transcribed from the calcitonin gene. Calcitonin gene related peptide is found in a number of tissues including nervous tissue. It is a vasodilator that may participate in the cutaneous triple response. It is a neuropeptide of 37 amino acids with structural homology to salmon calcitonin. Co-localises with substance P in neurons. It occurs as a result of alternative processing of mRNA from the calcitonin gene. The neuropeptide is widely distributed in neural tissue of the brain, gut, perivascular nerves, and other tissue. The peptide produces multiple biological effects and has both circulatory and neurotransmitter modes of action. In particular, it is a potent endogenous vasodilator. Intracerebral administration leads to a rise in noradrenergic sympathetic outflow, a rise in blood pressure and a fall in gastric secretion. Acronym: CGRP (05 May 2002) |
| calcitriol | 1_, 25 dihydroxyvitamin D3. The form of vitamin D3 that is biologically active in intestinal transport and calcium resorption by bone. (18 Nov 1997) |
| calcitroic acid | Rarely used term for a metabolite of calcitriol, involving the loss of carbons 24, 25, 26, and 27 and the oxidation of carbon 23 to a carboxylic acid; its function is unknown. (05 Mar 2000) |
| calcium | <element> An element taken in through the diet that is essential for a variety of bodily functions, such as neurotransmission, muscle contraction and proper heart function. Imbalances of calcium can lead to many health problems and excess calcium in nerve cells can cause their death. (22 May 1997) |
| calcium alginate | A topical haemostatic. (05 Mar 2000) |
| calcium aminosalicylate | The calcium salt of p-aminosalicylic acid, with the same uses. (05 Mar 2000) |
| calcium antagonist | calcium channel-blocking agent |
| calcium ATPase | <enzyme> Usually used of the calcium pumping ATPase present in high concentration as an integral membrane protein of the sarcoplasmic reticulum of muscle. This pump lowers the cytoplasmic calcium level and causes contraction to stop. Normal function of the pump seems to require a local phospholipid environment from which cholesterol is excluded. (18 Nov 1997) |
| calcium benzoylpas | Calcium 4-benzamidosalicylate;an antituberculous agent. (05 Mar 2000) |
| calcium bromide | Used to meet the same indications as potassium bromide. (05 Mar 2000) |
| calcium carbide | CaC2;blackish crystalline lumps which when in contact with water yield acetylene gas. (05 Mar 2000) |
| calcium carbimide | <drug> This drug is used to treat alcoholism, if a person takes this drug and then drinks any alcohol at all, they will get sick (headache, nausea, vertigo, etc.) (09 Oct 1997) |