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| E-cadherin: Cadherins are integral membrane proteins involved in calcium dependent cell adhesion. There are three types, named after their distributions: N cadherin (neural), E cadherin (epithelial), and P cadherin placental). Eclampsia: Convulsions and coma occurring in a pregnant woman associated with preeclampsia, that is, with hypertension, edema, and/or proteinuria. Electrode: A medium used between an electric conductor and the object to which the current is to be applied. Electrodesiccation: Use of an electric current to destroy cancerous tissue and control bleeding. Electrolyte: A substance that dissociates into ions in solution and thus become capable of conducting electricity, an ionic solute. Electrophoresis: A technique that separates mixtures of charged particles by differences in their rate of migration in an applied electric field. ELISA: Enzyme-Linked ImmunoSorbent Assay. Any enzyme immunoassay utilizing an enzyme-labeled immunoreactant (antigen or antibody) and an immunosorbent (antigen or antibody bound to a solid support). Embryogenesis: The development of a new individual by means of sexual reproduction that is from a fertilized ovum; the process of embryo formation. Emetogenic: Causing vomiting. Emphysema: A lung condition where an abnormal accumulation of air takes place in the tiny air sacs, the alveoli. As air continues to collect in these sacs they enlarge and may break or be damaged forming scar. Emphysema is strongly associated with cigarette smoking. Other risk factor for emphysema is repeated infections such as bronchitis. Empirical: Based on experience. Endocarditis: Exudative and proliferative inflammatory alterations of the pericardium, the endothelial lining membrane of the cavities of the heart and the connective tissue bed on which it lies. Endocervix: The region of the opening of the uterine cervix into the uterine cavity. Endocrine gland: Gland that secrete regulatory substances directly into the circulation and not through a duct. Endocrinologists: An individual specializing in the disorders of endocrine glands, the glands of internal secretion. Endocytosis: The uptake of material from the environment by a cell by invagination of its plasma membrane. Endometrial: Pertaining to endometrium, the tissue lining the uterus, it is sloughed off during the woman's menstrual period, and afterward grows back and slowly gets thicker and thicker until the next period. Endometrium: The inner mucous membrane of the uterus. Endonuclease: An enzyme that breaks the internal backbone in a DNA molecule. Endoplasmic reticulum: An ultramicroscopic organelle of nearly all cells of higher plants and animals consisting of a more or less continuous system of membrane-bound cavities that ramify throughout the cytoplasm of a cell. See diagram of cell. Endoscope: An expensive and usually highly flexible viewing instrument with capabilities of diagnostic (biopsy) or even therapeutic functions through special channels. Endoscopic: Visual inspection of any cavity of the body by means of an instrument, the endoscope. Endoscopy: Visual inspection of any cavity of the body by means of an endoscope, usually highly flexible viewing instrument. Endothelial cells: Cells that line the cavities of the heart and of the blood and lymph vessels and cavities of the body. Endothelium: The layer of epithelial cells that lines the cavities of the heart, the blood and the lymph vessels and the serous cavities of the body, originating from the mesoderm, the middle layer of the three primary germ layers of the embryo. Enteral route: Within, by way of, or pertaining to the small intestine. Enzyme: Protein molecule that catalyzes a biochemical reaction. Eosinophilia: An abnormally high number of eosinophils in the blood. Eosinophils are a type of polymorphonuclear leukocyte containing eosin-staining granules and constitute 1 to 3% of peripheral blood leukocytes (white blood cells). Epidemiology: The science involving the study of the factors that determine and influence the frequency and distribution of disease, and other health related events. The purpose is to find the causes of disease development in a defined human population so that programs to prevent and their development can be established. Epidermal growth factor (EGF): A cytokine, peptide factor produced by many cells that can stimulate cell proliferation. When discovered it was found to stimulate replication of the basal cells of skin hence the name epidermal. It exerts effect by interacting with specific cell surface receptors. Epidermal: Pertaining to the surface layer of the skin. Epidermis: The surface layer of the skin. Epithelial: Pertaining to epithelium, the covering of internal and external surfaces of the body including the lining and other small cavities. Epithelial cells: Cells that cover the surface of the body and line its cavities. Epithelium: The covering of internal and external surfaces of the body including the lining and other small cavities. Epitope: Antigenic determinant. Epoxide hydrolase: Epoxide is an organic compound containing a reactive group resulting from the union of an oxygen atom with two other atoms, usually carbon, e.g., 7,8 epoxide of benzo[a]pyrene which undergoes hydration to a diol by epoxide hordes. This diol can be eliminated by conjugation with other agents. Epstein-Barr transformed cells: A herpes-like DNA virus that can insert its DNA into a host cell and transform it to an abnormal cell. This virus causes infectious mononucleosis and is known to be associated with Burkitt’s lymphoma. Epstein-Barr virus: A herpes-like virus that causes infectious mononucleosis and is associated with Burkitt's lymphoma and nasopharyngeal carcinoma. ER-positive: Cells expressing estrogen receptors. Erythema: A name applied to redness of the skin produced by congestion of the capillaries, which may result from a variety of causes. Erythropoietic: Pertaining to or characterised by erythropoiesis, the process of production of erythrocytes in the marrow in adult mammals. Erythropoietic growth factor: Factors that promote growth of erythrocytes, the red blood cells. Erythropoietin: A glycoprotein hormone secreted chiefly by the kidney in the adult and by the liver in the fetus, which acts on the stem cells of bone marrow to stimulate red blood cell production (erythropoiesis). Ester: A compound formed by removal of water from an acid and an alcohol. Estrogens: A group of chemically related compounds naturally produced in the female ovaries and in the adrenal glands of both sexes. These are also called female sex hormones because they maintain the growth and function of female reproductive organs. Euchromatin: The condensed state of chromatin in which it stains lightly, is genetically active, and is partially or fully uncoiled, being the interphase form of the chromosome. Eukaryotes: Higher organisms such as plants, animals, fungi, protozoa and most algae, the cells of which have true nuclei, that is, the genetic material DNA is enclosed in a membranous structure. Eukaryotic: Pertaining to eukaryotes. Exocrine: Secreting outwardly via a duct. Exon: The coding sequence of a gene. In almost all eukaryotic genes the exons are separated from each other by several introns.
Extracellular Matrix: The basic molecular fabric present in between the cell space. The extracellular matrix of each type of tissue is different and contains various biomolecules such as collagen, laminin, fibronectin etc. |
