patch-clamp recording:
Electrophysiological technique in which a tiny electrode
tip is sealed onto a patch of cell membrane, thereby making
it possible to record the flow of current through individual
ion channels in the patch.
pathogen (adjective pathogenic):
An organism or other agent that causes diseases.
PCR (polymerase chain reaction):
Technique for amplifying specific regions of DNA by multiple
cycles of DNA polymerization, each followed by a brief heat
treatment to separate complementary strands.
peptide bond:
Chemical bond between the carbonyl group of one amino acid
and the amino group of a second amino acid - a special form
of amide linkage.
peptide map:
Characteristic two-dimensional pattern (on paper or gel)
formed by the separation of the mixture of peptides produced
by the partial digestion of a protein.
peroxisome:
Small membrane-bounded organelle that uses molecular oxygen
to oxidize organic molecules. Contains some enzymes that
produce and others that degrade hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)
pH:
Common measure of the acidity of a solution: "p"
refers to power of 10, "H" to hydrogen. Defined
as the negative logarithm of the hydrogen ion concentration
in moles per liter (M). Thus pH 3 (10E-3 M H+) is acidic
and pH 9 (10E-9 M H+) is alkaline.
phage:
see bacteriophage
phagocyte:
General term for a professional phagocytic cell - that is,
a cell such as a macrophage or neutrophil that is specialized
to take up particles and microorganisms by phagocytosis.
phagocytosis:
Process by which particulate material is endocytosed ("eaten")
by a cell. Prominent in carnivorous cells, such as Amoeba
proteus, and in vertebrate macrophages and neutrophils.
(From Greek phagein, to eat.)
|
