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Folate
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FolateFolic acid, one of the B vitamins that is a key factor in the synthesis (the making) of nucleic acid (DNA and RNA). A deficiency of folic acid after birth causes a kind of anemia, namely, megaloblastic anemia in which there is a paucity of red blood cells and those that are made are unusually large and immature (so-called blast cells).
RELATED TERMS--------------------------------------
Vitamins
Any of a number of complex organic substances found in foods that are essential for normal body functioning.
Anemia
Anemia is a condition in which a deficiency in the size or number of erythrocytes (red blood cells) or the amount of hemoglobin they contain limits the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between the blood and the tissue cells. Most anemias are caused by a lack of nutrients required for normal erythrocyte synthesis, principally iron, vitamin B-12, and folic acid. Others result from a variety of conditions, such as hemorrhage, genetic abnormalities, chronic disease states or drug toxicity.
Blood
The life-maintaining fluid which is made up of plasma, red blood cells (erythrocytes), white blood cells (leukocytes), and platelets; blood circulates through the body's heart, arteries, veins, and capillaries; it carries away waste matter and carbon dioxide, and brings nourishment, electrolytes, hormones, vitamins, antibodies, heat, and oxygen to the tissues.
Blast
Abbreviation for Basic Local Alignment Search Tool, a computer program that identifies homologous genes in different organisms (such as worms, the fruit fly, mice, and humans). Homologous genes are genes in different species that share similar structures and functions.
SIMILAR TERMS--------------------------------------
Folate (folic acid)
A widely-distributed vitamin existing in a number of natural products; folate deficiency is associated with CHD and neural tube defects.
PREVIOUS AND NEXT TERMS--------------------------------------
FMRP
As stated in the entry for FMR1, FMRP is an acronym composed of the first letters of Familial Mental Retardation Protein.
Focal dystonia due to blepharospasm
The involuntary forcible closure of the eyelid due to spasms. The first symptoms may be uncontrollable blinking. Only one eye may be affected initially, but eventually both eyes are usually involved. The spasms may leave the eyelids completely closed causing functional blindness even though the eyes beneath the lids and vision are normal. Following torticollis (spasm of the neck muscles), blepharospasm is the next most common form of focal dystonia. For more information about dystonias, see: Dystonia.
Focal dystonia due to torticollis
Spasm of the muscles in the neck that control the position of the head, causing the head to twist and turn to one side. In addition, the head may be pulled forward or backward. Torticollis is the most common form of focal dystonia.
Focal gigantism
1. The excessive growth of a specific body part such as a hand or foot, as with increased blood supply to that part. 2. The excessive growth of a combination of particular body parts, as is characteristic of a congenital malformation syndrome called the Wiedemann-Beckwith syndrome. Focal gigantism may occur before or after the bones fuse. If it occurs afterwards, it causes disfigurement, as in acromegaly. Surgery for mass reduction may sometimes improve function.
Focal motor seizure
A simple partial seizure with localized motor activity. There may be spasm or clonus (jerking) of one muscle or a muscle group and this may remain localized or it may subsequently spread to adjacent muscles as a Jacksonian seizure.
Folate
Folding motif
An independent folding unit, or particular structure, that recurs in many molecules.
Folinic acid
The active form of folic acid in the body.
Follicular cyst of the ovary
A fluid-filled sac in the ovary, the most common type of ovarian cyst. It results from the growth of a follicle. A follicle is the fluid-filled cyst that contains an egg. In some cycles, this follicle grows larger that normal and does not rupture to release the egg. Normally it resolves with simple observation over the course of days to months.
Fontanel (fontanelle)
The medical term fontanel is a "soft spot" of the skull. The "soft spot" is soft precisely because the cartilage there has not yet hardened into bone between the skull bones. There are normally two fontanels, both in the midline of the skull, one (the anterior fontanel) well in front of the other (the posterior fontanel). The posterior fontanel closes first, at latest by the age of 8 weeks in a full-term baby. The anterior fontanel closes at 18 months of age on the average but it can close normally as early as 9 months. If fontanels close too early or too late, that may be a sign of a problem.
Food
Any substance eaten to provide nutritional support for the body.
RELATED TERMS--------------------------------------
Vitamins
Any of a number of complex organic substances found in foods that are essential for normal body functioning.
Anemia
Anemia is a condition in which a deficiency in the size or number of erythrocytes (red blood cells) or the amount of hemoglobin they contain limits the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between the blood and the tissue cells. Most anemias are caused by a lack of nutrients required for normal erythrocyte synthesis, principally iron, vitamin B-12, and folic acid. Others result from a variety of conditions, such as hemorrhage, genetic abnormalities, chronic disease states or drug toxicity.
Blood
The life-maintaining fluid which is made up of plasma, red blood cells (erythrocytes), white blood cells (leukocytes), and platelets; blood circulates through the body's heart, arteries, veins, and capillaries; it carries away waste matter and carbon dioxide, and brings nourishment, electrolytes, hormones, vitamins, antibodies, heat, and oxygen to the tissues.
Blast
Abbreviation for Basic Local Alignment Search Tool, a computer program that identifies homologous genes in different organisms (such as worms, the fruit fly, mice, and humans). Homologous genes are genes in different species that share similar structures and functions.
SIMILAR TERMS--------------------------------------
Folate (folic acid)
A widely-distributed vitamin existing in a number of natural products; folate deficiency is associated with CHD and neural tube defects.
PREVIOUS AND NEXT TERMS--------------------------------------
FMRP
As stated in the entry for FMR1, FMRP is an acronym composed of the first letters of Familial Mental Retardation Protein.
Focal dystonia due to blepharospasm
The involuntary forcible closure of the eyelid due to spasms. The first symptoms may be uncontrollable blinking. Only one eye may be affected initially, but eventually both eyes are usually involved. The spasms may leave the eyelids completely closed causing functional blindness even though the eyes beneath the lids and vision are normal. Following torticollis (spasm of the neck muscles), blepharospasm is the next most common form of focal dystonia. For more information about dystonias, see: Dystonia.
Focal dystonia due to torticollis
Spasm of the muscles in the neck that control the position of the head, causing the head to twist and turn to one side. In addition, the head may be pulled forward or backward. Torticollis is the most common form of focal dystonia.
Focal gigantism
1. The excessive growth of a specific body part such as a hand or foot, as with increased blood supply to that part. 2. The excessive growth of a combination of particular body parts, as is characteristic of a congenital malformation syndrome called the Wiedemann-Beckwith syndrome. Focal gigantism may occur before or after the bones fuse. If it occurs afterwards, it causes disfigurement, as in acromegaly. Surgery for mass reduction may sometimes improve function.
Focal motor seizure
A simple partial seizure with localized motor activity. There may be spasm or clonus (jerking) of one muscle or a muscle group and this may remain localized or it may subsequently spread to adjacent muscles as a Jacksonian seizure.
Folate
Folding motif
An independent folding unit, or particular structure, that recurs in many molecules.
Folinic acid
The active form of folic acid in the body.
Follicular cyst of the ovary
A fluid-filled sac in the ovary, the most common type of ovarian cyst. It results from the growth of a follicle. A follicle is the fluid-filled cyst that contains an egg. In some cycles, this follicle grows larger that normal and does not rupture to release the egg. Normally it resolves with simple observation over the course of days to months.
Fontanel (fontanelle)
The medical term fontanel is a "soft spot" of the skull. The "soft spot" is soft precisely because the cartilage there has not yet hardened into bone between the skull bones. There are normally two fontanels, both in the midline of the skull, one (the anterior fontanel) well in front of the other (the posterior fontanel). The posterior fontanel closes first, at latest by the age of 8 weeks in a full-term baby. The anterior fontanel closes at 18 months of age on the average but it can close normally as early as 9 months. If fontanels close too early or too late, that may be a sign of a problem.
Food
Any substance eaten to provide nutritional support for the body.
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This dictionary contains 19186 terms.
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