Author: Glossary

A genetic disease due to a failure of the normal transport of chloride ions across cell membranes. This results in abnormally viscous mucus, affecting especially the lungs and secretion of pancreatic juice, hence impairing digestion. A genetic disorder that affects the lungs and digestive system. Cystic fibrosis appears in infancy and is characterized by excessive…

Organic compounds of cyanide found in a variety of plants; chemically cyanhydrins linked by glycoside linkage to one or more sugars. Toxic through liberation of the cyanide when the plants are cut or chewed.  

One of the vitamers of vitamin B12. Vitamin of the B-complex group essential for normal metabolism, nerve function, and blood formation; rich sources are liver, kidney, eggs, and other meats and dairy products; used to prevent and treat pernicious anemia and certain other anemias. Also called vitamin B12; antipernicious anemia factor. The name given by…

Yellow hydroxylated carotenoid found in a few foods; a vitamin A precursor. Caratenoid plant pigment which converts into Vitamin A in the animal body. A substance present in a variety of foods (e.g., eggs and corn) that can be converted to vitamin A in the body.  

The pH below which tooth enamel demineralises.  

A measure of leg length taken from the floor to the summit of the iliac crest. As a proportion of height it increases with age in children, and a reduced rate of increase indicates undernutrition.  

The anhydride of creatine, formed non-enzymically; urinary excretion is relatively constant from day to day, and reflects mainly the amount of muscle tissue in the body, so the amounts of various components of urine are often expressed relative to creatinine. Nitrogen-based compound formed in muscle tissue, passed into the bloodstream, and excreted in the urine.…

A derivative of the amino acids glycine and arginine, important in muscle as a store of phosphate for resynthesis of ATP during muscle contraction and work. A nonprotein nitrogenous substance in muscle tissue combines with phosphate to form phosphocreatine which serves as a storage form of high-energy phosphate required for muscle contraction. A compound of…

The basic chemical structure of vitamin B12 is the corrin ring; compounds with this structure, whether or not they have vitamin activity, are corrinoids.  

Eating of faeces. Since B vitamins are synthesised by intestinal bacteria, animals that eat their faeces can make use of these vitamins, which are not absorbed from the large intestine, the site of bacterial action.