Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.
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Sex-conditioned characteristic
A genetic trait carried by both sexes but expressed or inhibited by the sex of the individual.
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Acquired characteristic
A trait or quality that was not inherited but is the result of environmental influence.
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Molecular chaperone
A protein that shapes other protein molecules so they can work optimally as receptors or can be secreted or cleared from cells.
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Chaotropic agent
An ion that disrupts membranes, nucleic acids, and proteins.
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Channelopathy
A disease that results from a mutation in an ion channel in a cell membrane (e.g., from a mutation that alters the uptake of an electrolyte such as sodium, potassium, or calcium by a cell).
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Voltage-gated channel
A gated ion channel that opens in response to a change in the membrane potential of a cell membrane; such channels give muscle fibers and neurons their ability to generate and propagate impulses.
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Voltage channel
A glycosylated protein in a cell membrane through which ions pass when the electrical potential of the membrane shifts.
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Receptor-operated channel
A conduit in a cell membrane through which ions pass when a neurotransmitter binds to its receptor site.
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Leakage channel
An ion channel in a cell membrane that is always open, making the membrane permeable to ions.
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Gated channel
An ion channel in a cell membrane that opens or closes in response to a stimulus such as a neurotransmitter or to a change in pressure, voltage, or light.
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