at Related Biological Terms

The average mass of an element, taking into account the relative abundance of isotopes.

Atopy is al or familial tendency, usually in childhood or adolescence, to become sensitized and produce IgE antibodies in response to ordinary exposure to allergens, usually proteins. Atopy is the tendency to produce an exaggerated immunoglobulin E (IgE) immune response to otherwise harmless substances in the environment. Atopy is the genetic tendency to develop allergic diseases such as allergic rhinitis, asthma, and atopic dermatitis. Atopy is clearly associated with an increased risk of sensitization to HMW agents. For example, atopy has been identified as one of the determinants for sensitization to rodents in apprentices working in animal facilities. Atopy is the tendency to develop IgE antibodies to commonly encountered environmental allergens by natural exposure in which the entry route of the allergen is across intact mucosal surfaces.

An enzyme that allows protons to move through the mitochondrial membrane and trigger Phosphorylation of ADP to ATP.

a widely used synthetic agricultural Herbicide derived from triazine. It is thought to maybe cause cancer and is banned in some European countries.

A hormone-like substance present in the two atrial walls of the heart (especially numerous in the right atria). The ANF factor can cause a three to ten times increase in renal (kidney) excretion of sodium when it is fully released into the circulating blood. Consequent to the loss of sodium is a slight decrease in the extracellular fluid volume and blood volume. Although its exact mechanism of action is unclear, it is believed that the ANF plays a role in the regulation of blood volume.

A group of Cells specialized to detect changes in the blood pressure. They are located within the atrial walls of the heart. Although the mechanism of the action of ANF receptors is not completely understood, it is believed that when excess blood volume stretches the atrial walls, ANF receptors located in the walls are triggered to release atrial natriuretic factor into the circulating blood. The ANF causes sodium (and water) to be excreted from the kidneys and blood volume to be reduced.

The hole in a lancelet through which water exits the body.

Specialized muscle Cells that branch into a network of Purkinje fibers, which conduct electrical stimulation six times faster than other parts of the heart.

Flap of tissue between each atrium and ventricle that moves in response to the pressure changes of ventricular contraction. These contractions are stimulated by cardiac and nervous tissue.

An upper heart chamber.