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| This glossary contains: 19186 medical terms |
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ACTH
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ACTHAdrenocortiotrophic hormone.
RELATED TERMS--------------------------------------
Hormone
A chemical substance formed in the body that is carried in the bloodstream to affect another part of the body; an example is thyroid hormone, produced by the thyroid gland in the neck, which affects growth, temperature regulation, metabolic rate, and other body functions.
SIMILAR TERMS--------------------------------------
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Asbestosis
Disease caused by inhalation of asbestos fibers. It usually strikes workers in the textile, cement and insulating industries. Asbestos fibers are microscopic and virtually indestructible. When they are inhaled into the lung, the lung's defense cells try to destroy the asbestos fibers, but the body's defense mechanisms cannot break down asbestos. The result is that the asbestos fibers remain in the lungs and cause scarring and the inflammation continues for decades. This thickening and scarring prevents oxygen and carbon dioxide from traveling between the tiny air sacs of the lungs and into the blood stream, so breathing becomes much less efficient.
Adenosine triphosphate
The primary fuel used by cells to generate the biochemical reactions essential for life.
ATP
Adenosine triphosphate.
Adrenals
Located on the top of the kidneys, these glands that are responsible for the production of stress-related hormones such as cortisol, DHEA, and adrenaline.
Adrenocortiotrophic hormone
The hormone released from the pituitary gland. It interacts with receptors on the adrenal gland to begin the process of cortisol and DHEA production. ACTH uses the second messenger cyclic AMP to signal target cells in the adrenal gland.
ACTH
Advanced glycosylation endproducts
The polymerized end-products of protein cross-linked with glucose. AGEs tend to adhere to capillaries and arteries. increasing the risk of heart disease, blindness, and kidney failure. AGEs are best estimated by the levels of glycosylated hemoglobin in the bloodstream.
Aerobic capacity
The body's ability to process oxygen. It is a combination of lung capacity, the size of the capillaries, the pumping action of the heart, and transfer of oxygen from red blood cells to target tissues.
Aerobic exercise
Exercise with a low enough intensity to facilitate adequate oxygen transfer to the muscle cells so that no buildup of lactic acid is observed. This type of exercise is useful for reducing insulin levels and lowering blood glucose.
Amino acid
The fundamental building block of a protein molecule. A protein is composed of a chain of hundreds or thousands of amino acids. Our bodies can synthesize most of the amino acids. However, eight amino acids (called "essential amino acids") must be obtained from food.
Amygdala
The portion of the brain that processes emotions.
RELATED TERMS--------------------------------------
Hormone
A chemical substance formed in the body that is carried in the bloodstream to affect another part of the body; an example is thyroid hormone, produced by the thyroid gland in the neck, which affects growth, temperature regulation, metabolic rate, and other body functions.
SIMILAR TERMS--------------------------------------
PREVIOUS AND NEXT TERMS--------------------------------------
Asbestosis
Disease caused by inhalation of asbestos fibers. It usually strikes workers in the textile, cement and insulating industries. Asbestos fibers are microscopic and virtually indestructible. When they are inhaled into the lung, the lung's defense cells try to destroy the asbestos fibers, but the body's defense mechanisms cannot break down asbestos. The result is that the asbestos fibers remain in the lungs and cause scarring and the inflammation continues for decades. This thickening and scarring prevents oxygen and carbon dioxide from traveling between the tiny air sacs of the lungs and into the blood stream, so breathing becomes much less efficient.
Adenosine triphosphate
The primary fuel used by cells to generate the biochemical reactions essential for life.
ATP
Adenosine triphosphate.
Adrenals
Located on the top of the kidneys, these glands that are responsible for the production of stress-related hormones such as cortisol, DHEA, and adrenaline.
Adrenocortiotrophic hormone
The hormone released from the pituitary gland. It interacts with receptors on the adrenal gland to begin the process of cortisol and DHEA production. ACTH uses the second messenger cyclic AMP to signal target cells in the adrenal gland.
ACTH
Advanced glycosylation endproducts
The polymerized end-products of protein cross-linked with glucose. AGEs tend to adhere to capillaries and arteries. increasing the risk of heart disease, blindness, and kidney failure. AGEs are best estimated by the levels of glycosylated hemoglobin in the bloodstream.
Aerobic capacity
The body's ability to process oxygen. It is a combination of lung capacity, the size of the capillaries, the pumping action of the heart, and transfer of oxygen from red blood cells to target tissues.
Aerobic exercise
Exercise with a low enough intensity to facilitate adequate oxygen transfer to the muscle cells so that no buildup of lactic acid is observed. This type of exercise is useful for reducing insulin levels and lowering blood glucose.
Amino acid
The fundamental building block of a protein molecule. A protein is composed of a chain of hundreds or thousands of amino acids. Our bodies can synthesize most of the amino acids. However, eight amino acids (called "essential amino acids") must be obtained from food.
Amygdala
The portion of the brain that processes emotions.
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This dictionary contains 19186 terms.
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