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| This glossary contains: 19186 medical terms |
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Facultative
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Facultative1. In general, not obligatory but rather capable of adapting to different conditions. The opposite of facultative is obligate. 2. In bacteriology, bacteria that can grow under either aerobic or anaerobic circumstances (with or without oxygen).
RELATED TERMS--------------------------------------
Facultative
1. In general, not obligatory but rather capable of adapting to different conditions. The opposite of facultative is obligate. 2. In bacteriology, bacteria that can grow under either aerobic or anaerobic circumstances (with or without oxygen).
Bacteriology
The science and study of bacteria and their relation to medicine and to other areas such as agriculture (e.g., farm animals) and industry. Bacteria are single-celled microorganisms which can live as independent organisms or, dependently, as parasites. Among the better known bacteria are strep, staph, and the agents of tuberculosis and leprosy.
Bacteria
Single-celled microorganisms which can exist either as independent (free-living) organisms or as parasites (dependent upon another organism for life).
Aerobic
Requiring the use of oxygen. Exercise that conditions the heart and lungs by increasing the efficiency of oxygen intake by the body.
Anaerobic
"Not requiring oxygen. Anaerobic bacteria do not need oxygen to grow; in fact, oxygen is usually toxic to them. An anaerobic environment lacks oxygen."
SIMILAR TERMS--------------------------------------
Facultative heterochromatin
Chromosome material that can be either heterochromatin or euchromatin. The inactive X chromosome is made up of facultative heterochromatin. When a woman transmits that X chromosome to a son, the chromosome reverts to the euchromatic state and to genetic activity.
PREVIOUS AND NEXT TERMS--------------------------------------
Factor V Leiden
A genetic disorder of blood coagulation (clotting) that carries an increased risk of venous thromboembolism - the formation of clots in veins that may break loose and travel through the bloodstream to the lungs or brain. On the molecular level, factor V Leiden is characterized by a G to A substitution at nucleotide 1691 in the gene for factor V that causes a single amino acid replacement in the factor V protein. On the clotting level, factor V Leiden is inactivated about 10 times slower than normal factor V and persists longer in the circulation, resulting in increased generation of thrombin and a hypercoagulable state (thrombophilia).
Factor VIII
Factor eight, a key factor in the process of blood coagulation (clotting). Lack of normal factor VIII causes hemophilia (hemophilia A). The gene for classic hemophilia was long known to be on the X chromosome. Females carry the gene and transmit it to their hemophiliac sons. Female carriers are normal since they have another X chromosome that contains a normal gene to make factor VIII. Each of their sons has a one-half (50:50) risk of being a hemophiliac. Because the gene for hemophilia was clearly on the X chromosome, it was correctly inferred that the normal gene for Factor VIII was on the X. Factor VIII is also known as antihemophiliac factor or antihemophiliac globulin.
Factor X
A coagulation factor, a substance in blood essential to the normal clotting process. Production of factor X takes place in the liver and requires vitamin K. The gene for factor X is located on chromosome 13 and is in band 13q34.
Factor, colony-stimulating
A laboratory-made agent similar to a normally existing substance in the body that stimulates the production of blood cells. The colony-stimulating factors (CSFs) include granulocyte colony-stimulating factors (G-CSF) and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factors (GM-CSF). Treatment with colony-stimulating factors can help the blood-forming tissue recover from the effects of chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
Factor, rheumatoid
Rheumatoid factor is an antibody that is measurable in the blood. It is commonly used as a blood test for the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatoid factor is present in about 80% of adults (but a much lower proportion of children) with rheumatoid arthritis. It is also present in patients with other connective tissue diseases (such as systemic lupus erythematosus) and in some with infectious diseases (such as infectious hepatitis).
Facultative
Facultative heterochromatin
Chromosome material that can be either heterochromatin or euchromatin. The inactive X chromosome is made up of facultative heterochromatin. When a woman transmits that X chromosome to a son, the chromosome reverts to the euchromatic state and to genetic activity.
FAE (fetal alcohol effects)
A softer diagnosis than fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS). The diagnosis of possible FAE is considered when: 1. The person has some signs of FAS; 2. The person does not meet all of the necessary criteria for FAS; and 3. There is a history of alcohol exposure before birth.
Fahrenheit
Thermometer scale in which the freezing point of water is 32°F and the boiling point of water 212°F. The Fahrenheit scale is still obstinately in use in the US. This anachronism requires conversion from Centigrade (°C) to Fahrenheit (°F), and vice versa. One degree °C = (5/9)(°F - 32). One degree °F = (9/5)(°C) + 32.
Failure to thrive (FTT)
Refers to a child whose physical growth is significantly less than that of peers. There is no official consensus on what constitutes failure to thrive (FTT). It usually refers to a child whose growth is below the 3rd or 5th percentiles for their age or whose growth has fallen off precipitously and crossed two major growth percentiles (for example, from above the 75th percentile to below the 25th percentile). Failure to thrive in early infancy sometimes results in death, and in older infancy or childhood is an important marker for underlying disease. Causes of failure to thrive are probably many, including unrecognized food allergies leading to refusal of food and vomiting, undiagnosed metabolic disorders, and disease.
Failure, adrenal
A condition in which the adrenal glands do not produce enough of the adrenal hormones that control important functions such as blood pressure. The adrenal glands sit on top of the kidneys. The adrenal is made up of an outer layer (the cortex) and an inner portion (the medulla). The adrenal glands produce hormones that help control the heart rate, blood pressure, the way the body uses food, and other vital functions. The adrenal cortex secretes steroid (cortisone-related) hormones and mineralocortoids that regulate the levels of minerals such as sodium and potassium in the blood.
RELATED TERMS--------------------------------------
Facultative
1. In general, not obligatory but rather capable of adapting to different conditions. The opposite of facultative is obligate. 2. In bacteriology, bacteria that can grow under either aerobic or anaerobic circumstances (with or without oxygen).
Bacteriology
The science and study of bacteria and their relation to medicine and to other areas such as agriculture (e.g., farm animals) and industry. Bacteria are single-celled microorganisms which can live as independent organisms or, dependently, as parasites. Among the better known bacteria are strep, staph, and the agents of tuberculosis and leprosy.
Bacteria
Single-celled microorganisms which can exist either as independent (free-living) organisms or as parasites (dependent upon another organism for life).
Aerobic
Requiring the use of oxygen. Exercise that conditions the heart and lungs by increasing the efficiency of oxygen intake by the body.
Anaerobic
"Not requiring oxygen. Anaerobic bacteria do not need oxygen to grow; in fact, oxygen is usually toxic to them. An anaerobic environment lacks oxygen."
SIMILAR TERMS--------------------------------------
Facultative heterochromatin
Chromosome material that can be either heterochromatin or euchromatin. The inactive X chromosome is made up of facultative heterochromatin. When a woman transmits that X chromosome to a son, the chromosome reverts to the euchromatic state and to genetic activity.
PREVIOUS AND NEXT TERMS--------------------------------------
Factor V Leiden
A genetic disorder of blood coagulation (clotting) that carries an increased risk of venous thromboembolism - the formation of clots in veins that may break loose and travel through the bloodstream to the lungs or brain. On the molecular level, factor V Leiden is characterized by a G to A substitution at nucleotide 1691 in the gene for factor V that causes a single amino acid replacement in the factor V protein. On the clotting level, factor V Leiden is inactivated about 10 times slower than normal factor V and persists longer in the circulation, resulting in increased generation of thrombin and a hypercoagulable state (thrombophilia).
Factor VIII
Factor eight, a key factor in the process of blood coagulation (clotting). Lack of normal factor VIII causes hemophilia (hemophilia A). The gene for classic hemophilia was long known to be on the X chromosome. Females carry the gene and transmit it to their hemophiliac sons. Female carriers are normal since they have another X chromosome that contains a normal gene to make factor VIII. Each of their sons has a one-half (50:50) risk of being a hemophiliac. Because the gene for hemophilia was clearly on the X chromosome, it was correctly inferred that the normal gene for Factor VIII was on the X. Factor VIII is also known as antihemophiliac factor or antihemophiliac globulin.
Factor X
A coagulation factor, a substance in blood essential to the normal clotting process. Production of factor X takes place in the liver and requires vitamin K. The gene for factor X is located on chromosome 13 and is in band 13q34.
Factor, colony-stimulating
A laboratory-made agent similar to a normally existing substance in the body that stimulates the production of blood cells. The colony-stimulating factors (CSFs) include granulocyte colony-stimulating factors (G-CSF) and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factors (GM-CSF). Treatment with colony-stimulating factors can help the blood-forming tissue recover from the effects of chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
Factor, rheumatoid
Rheumatoid factor is an antibody that is measurable in the blood. It is commonly used as a blood test for the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatoid factor is present in about 80% of adults (but a much lower proportion of children) with rheumatoid arthritis. It is also present in patients with other connective tissue diseases (such as systemic lupus erythematosus) and in some with infectious diseases (such as infectious hepatitis).
Facultative
Facultative heterochromatin
Chromosome material that can be either heterochromatin or euchromatin. The inactive X chromosome is made up of facultative heterochromatin. When a woman transmits that X chromosome to a son, the chromosome reverts to the euchromatic state and to genetic activity.
FAE (fetal alcohol effects)
A softer diagnosis than fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS). The diagnosis of possible FAE is considered when: 1. The person has some signs of FAS; 2. The person does not meet all of the necessary criteria for FAS; and 3. There is a history of alcohol exposure before birth.
Fahrenheit
Thermometer scale in which the freezing point of water is 32°F and the boiling point of water 212°F. The Fahrenheit scale is still obstinately in use in the US. This anachronism requires conversion from Centigrade (°C) to Fahrenheit (°F), and vice versa. One degree °C = (5/9)(°F - 32). One degree °F = (9/5)(°C) + 32.
Failure to thrive (FTT)
Refers to a child whose physical growth is significantly less than that of peers. There is no official consensus on what constitutes failure to thrive (FTT). It usually refers to a child whose growth is below the 3rd or 5th percentiles for their age or whose growth has fallen off precipitously and crossed two major growth percentiles (for example, from above the 75th percentile to below the 25th percentile). Failure to thrive in early infancy sometimes results in death, and in older infancy or childhood is an important marker for underlying disease. Causes of failure to thrive are probably many, including unrecognized food allergies leading to refusal of food and vomiting, undiagnosed metabolic disorders, and disease.
Failure, adrenal
A condition in which the adrenal glands do not produce enough of the adrenal hormones that control important functions such as blood pressure. The adrenal glands sit on top of the kidneys. The adrenal is made up of an outer layer (the cortex) and an inner portion (the medulla). The adrenal glands produce hormones that help control the heart rate, blood pressure, the way the body uses food, and other vital functions. The adrenal cortex secretes steroid (cortisone-related) hormones and mineralocortoids that regulate the levels of minerals such as sodium and potassium in the blood.
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This dictionary contains 19186 terms.
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