Glossary for NanoBiotechnology

adaptation:
Adjustment of sensitivity following repeated stimulation. This is the mechanism that allows a neuron, a photodetector, or a bacterium to react to small changes even against a high background level of stimulation.

adenylyl cyclase (adenylate cyclase):
Membrane-bound enzyme that catalyzes the formation of cyclic AMP from ATP. An important component of some intracellular signaling pathways.

adherens junction:
Cell junction in which the cytoplasmic face of the plasm membrane is attached to actin filaments. Examples include the adhesion belts linking adjacent epithelial cells and the focal contacts on the lower surface of culture fibroblasts.

adhesion belt (zonula adherens):
Beltlike adherens junction that encircles the apical end of an epithelial cell and attaches it to the adjoining cell. A contractile bundle of actin filaments runs along the cytoplasmic surface of the adhesion belt.

adhesion plaque:
see focal contact

adipocyte:
A fat cell.

ADP (adenosine 5'-diphosphate):
Nucleotide that is produced by hydrolysis of the terminal phosphate of ATP. It regenerates ATP when phosphorylated by an energy-generating process such as oxidative phosphorylation.

adrenaline (epinephrine):
Hormone released by chromaffin cells (in the adrenal gland) and by some neurons in response to stress. Produces "fight or flight" responses, including increased heart rate and blood sugar levels.

aerobic:
Describes a process that requires, or occurs in the presence of, gaseous oxygen (O2)

Parts of the glossary are from the following book:
Copyright 1983, 1989, 1994 From "Molecular Biology of the Cell" by Bruce Alberts, Dennis Bray, Julian Lewis, Martin Raff, Keith Roberts, James D. Watson. Reproduced by permission of Routledge, Inc., part of The Taylor & Francis Group.