Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.
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Lactic add
The add produced by the anaerobic fermentation of carbohydrates. Originally discovered in sour milk, it is responsible for the flavour of fermented milk and for the precipitation of the casein curd in cottage cheese.
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Lactase
The enzyme that breaks down lactose (milk sugar) to galactose-glucose in the small intestine. An enzyme required for the digestion of lactose into glucose and galactose. An enzyme, secreted in the small intestine, which converts milk sugar into glucose and galactose. Enzyme secreted by glands in the small intestine that converts lactose (milk sugar) into…
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Kwashiorkor (from the Ga language of West Africa)
A disease which occurs frequently in young (weanling) children in some developing countries where weaning foods are of poor quality, and is characterised by oedema (swelling due to extracellular fluid accumulation), failure to thrive, abnormal hair appearance (dyspigmentation), often enlarged liver and increased mortality risk. Associated especially with poor diets that are low in protein…
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Krebs cycle
Or citric acid cycle, a central pathway for the metabolism of fats, carbohydrates, and amino acids. A series of chemical reactions occurring in the mitochondria, during which energy is produced from metabolism of carbohydrates, fats and amino acids and the complete oxidation of acetyl CoA is accomplished. Aseries of eight chemical reactions that begins and…
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Kosher
The selection and preparation of foods in accordance with traditional Jewish ritual and dietary laws. Foods that are not kosher are traife. The only kosher flesh foods are from animals that chew the cud and have cloven hoofs, such as cattle, sheep, goats, and deer; the hindquarters must not be eaten. The only fish permitted…
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Korsakoff’s psychosis
Failure of recent memory, although events from the past are recalled, with confabulation; associated with vitamin B1 deficiency, especially in alcoholics. Characterized by disorientation, failure of memory, and substituting imagined episodes for the loss of memory. It results from a combination of excessive alcohol intake and a deficiency of niacin. Symptoms of neuropathy associated with include…
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Koilonychia
Development of (brittle) concave finger nails, commonly associated with iron deficiency anaemia. A condition in which the fingernails are brittle and concave, caused by iron-deficiency anaemia. Deformation of the nail bed with thin, concave edges; often associated with iron deficient anemia; also called “spooning of the nails”. A condition in which thinning of the nail…
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Kjeldahl determination
Widely used method of determining total nitrogen in a substance by digesting with sulphuric acid and a catalyst; the nitrogen is reduced to ammonia which is then measured. In foodstuffs most of the nitrogen is protein, and the term crude protein is the total ‘Kjeldahl nitrogen’ multiplied by a factor of 6.25 (since most proteins…
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Kilo
As a prefix for units of measurement, one thousand times (i.e. 103); symbol k. A kilogram, the equivalent of 2.2 pounds. The usual package of marijuana sold in Mexico.
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KGY
Kilogray, a unit of radiation intensity.
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