A Wetpaint Site

Already a member?
Sign in

Welcome! Wikis are websites that everyone can build together. It's easy!

EasyEdit
Edit tags
Email page
(what's this?What are these tools?
People just like you can add or edit the content on this site. If you want to try editing, but aren't ready to add to this site, try our demo area.
Read more about editing pages at Wetpaint Central.
)

basic termanology

Acetylcholine
	A chemical neurotransmitter that functions in the transmission at all neuromuscular and glandular junctions of the peripheral nervous system, as well as many synapses within the CNS.

Acetylcholinesterase
	An enzyme found in the synaptic cleft that breaks down and inactivates acetylcholine molecules, thereby controlling neurotransmission.

Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitors
	Chemicals that inhibit the enzyme acetylcholinesterase at neural synapses. This prevents the acetylcholinesterase from stopping the action of acetylcholine and allows for continued stimulation of the effector. The result is spasms and paralysis, which can cause paralysis and death. Some important acetylcholinesterase inhibitors are organophosphate pesticides, carbamates, and some wargases.

Action potential
	A conducted change in the membrane potential of cells, initiated by an alteration of the membrane permeability to sodium ions, and subsequent propagation of an electrical impulse down an axon. Same as nerve impulse.

Adenosine triphosphate (ATP)
	An important high-energy compound located in the cytoplasm of cells, which serves as a source of cellular energy.

Afferent nerve
	A nerve that relays sensory information to the CNS.

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
	A disease in which the myelin around nerves is lost causing paralysis and loss of sensory and motor function. Same as Lou Gehrig's Disease.

Anaplasia
	An alteration of cells from normal appearance to poorly-differentiated or undifferentiated morphology. They have irregular nuclei and cell structure with numerous mitotic figures. Anaplasia is frequently associated with malignancies and serves as one criterion for grading the aggressiveness of a cancer.

Anoxia
	The lack of oxygen supply to tissues.

Anxiety
	A feeling of apprehension, uncertainty, and fear without apparent stimulus, and associated with tachycardia, sweating and tremors.

Apoptosis
	Individual or single cell death by a process of self-destruction of the cell nucleus. In apoptosis, dying cells are not contiguous but are scattered throughout a tissue. Often referred to as "programmed cell death".

Astrocyte
	A type of glial cell in the CNS. They are big cells that maintain the blood-brain barrier and provide rigidity to the brain structure.

Atrophy
	A decrease in the size of cells. If a sufficient number of cells are involved, the tissue or organ may also decrease in size.

Atropine
	An anticholinergic drug that blocks acetylcholine receptors.

Autonomic Nervous System
	The part of the nervous system involved in the unconscious regulation of visceral functions by transmitting motor information to smooth muscles, cardiac muscle, and various glands.

Axon
	The elongation of a neuron that conducts an action potential. It may extend long distances from one part of the body to another.

Cancer

A tumor that is malignant, that is, it has the ability to metastasize or invade into surrounding tissues.

Carbohydrates

Organic compounds that serve as sources of energy for the body. They are converted to glucose, which in turn is used by the cells in cell respiration.

Carcinogenesis

A general term for production of any type of tumor.

Carcinoma

A malignant tumor arising in epithelium. It is the most common form of cancer and usually spreads via the lymphatic system.

Cardiovascular System

The organ system that transports oxygen and nutrients to tissues and removes waste products. The main components are the heart, blood, and blood vessels.

Cell Membrane

A phospholipid bilayer which also contains cholesterol and proteins. It functions to provide support and controls passage of all materials into or out of the cell.

Cell

The smallest living unit in the body.

Cell Proliferation

The process by which cells undergo mitosis and divide into similar cells.

Cellular Swelling

A pathologic condition of a cell that is associated with hypertrophy. It is due to cellular hypoxia, which damages the sodium-potassium membrane pump. This in turn changes the intracellular electrolyte balance causing an influx of fluids into the cell and resultant swelling.

Central Nervous System (CNS)

The part of the nervous system that consists of the brain and spinal cord.

Centrioles

Organelles composed of nine microtubule triplets that organize specific fibers of chromosomes and move the chromosomes during cell division. There are two centrioles, aligned at right angles to each other.

Cerebellum

A posterior portion of the brain that is responsible for voluntary and involuntary motor activities based on memory and sensory input.

Cerebrum

The largest portion of the brain that controls thought processes, intelligence, memory, sensations, and complex motor functions.

Chemicals

Atoms or molecules that are the building blocks of all matter.

Cilia

Thread-like projections of the outer layer of the cell membrane, which serve to move substances over the cell, surface.

Cirrhosis

A specific condition of the liver in which the liver cells (hepatocytes) have been replaced by bands of fibrous tissue, which can not carry out the metabolic functions of the liver.

CNS

The part of the nervous system that consists of the brain and spinal cord.

Connective Tissue

One of the four tissues of the body. It is specialized to provide support and hold the body tissues together (i.e., they connect). It contains more intercellular substances than the other tissues. Bones, cartilage, and fat are types of connective tissue. The blood and lymph vessels are immersed in the connective tissue media of the body.

Cytoplasm

A watery solution of minerals, organic molecules, and gases found between the cell membrane and nucleus.

Cytosol

The liquid part of the cytoplasm which distributes materials by diffusion throughout the cell.

Latest page update: made by kristinc , May 24 2007, 6:31 AM EDT (about this update About This Update

Edited by kristinc

866 words added
35 images added

view changes
- complete history)

Keyword tags: terms (Edit tags)

More Info: links to this page

Bookmark:

Del.icio.us

StumbleUpon

Start thread

Threads

There are no threads on this page. Be the first to start a new thread.

JavaScript must be enabled in order for you to contribute to this wiki.
To start contributing, enable JavaScript by changing your browser options, then try again.

Wiki pages

Home

Add page

Top Contributors

Subject:
Message:
Quote:
Keyword tags:

basic termanology

Threads

Start a New Thread as Reply as Anonymous (Get credit for your thread)