Author: Glossary

Vitamin C, chemically L-xyloascorbic acid, to distinguish it from the isomer D- araboascorbic acid (isoascorbic acid or erythorbic acid), which has only slight vitamin C activity. Vitamin C; dehydroascorbic acid is the oxidized form of ascorbic acid. The chemical name is 2,3-didehydro L-threo-hexano-1,4-lactone. The compound can readily donate or accept hydrogen ions and thus exists…

Rate of re-occlusion (narrowing) of arteries after artificial (i.e. mechanical) removal of the accumulated plaque coatings. Used as a measure of susceptibility to atherosclerotic disease; it can be followed non-invasively, e.g. by ultrasound measurements.  

Stable ring structure with tt electrons delocalised around the ring as in benzene.  

A method of assessing nutritional status by measuring the arm circumference, chest diameter, and hip width. The upper extremity.  

Aversion to food.  

Absence of sensation of thirst.  

The protein of plasma lipoproteins without the associated lipid. A compound found in three varieties which transport lipids within the cell and across cell membranes, the genes for two of which are linked with increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease. The protein component of lipoprotein complexes. Apolipoproteins, a category of proteins present in lipoproteins, serve as…

The protein part of an enzyme which requires a coenzyme for activity, and is therefore inactive if the coenzyme is absent. The protein part of a holoenzyme. Many (but not all) enzymes are composed of functional “pieces.” For example, a protein piece (chain) and another piece that is an organic and/or inorganic molecule. This other…

A group of relatively small water-soluble proteins: ovalbumin in egg-white, lactalbumin in milk; plasma or serum albumin is one of the major blood proteins, which transports certain metabolites including non-esterified fatty acids in the bloodstream. Serum albumin concentration is sometimes measured as an index of protein energy malnutrition. Often used as a non-specific term for…

Partial or complete deficiency of the enzyme lactase in the small intestine, resulting in an inability to digest the sugar lactose in milk, and hence intolerance of milk. A condition in which there is a deficiency of lactase in the intestine, making the patient incapable of digesting lactose, the sugar in milk. Absence or deficiency…