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I

IAA
Indole-3-acetic acid
IgA
A class of antibody molecules abundant in tears, colostrum, and other secretions. [More]
IgE
A class of antibodies responsible for certain immediate hypersensitivities (allergies). [More]
IgG
The class of antibody molecules that is most abundant in the blood. [More]
Immune privilege
Immune surveillance
The possibility that one function of the immune system is to recognize and destroy cancerous cells when they first appear.
Immunity
A state of enhanced responsiveness to a particular molecular shape (epitope), such as would be present on molecules on an invading bacterium, induced by prior contact with that epitope. Probably occurs in all vertebrates.
Immunoglobulin
Protein that acts as an antibody.
Immunological memory
Immunological tolerance
The inability to produce antibodies and/or a cell-mediated immune response to a particular antigen.
Immunosuppression
The use of drugs or other agent (e.g., x rays) to inhibit an immune response. [More]
Immunotoxin
Synthetic molecule consisting of part of an antibody covalently attached to a toxin. Can be used to selectively kill a particular category of cells such as cancer cells or cells causing autoimmune disorders.
Imprinting (genomic or parental)
The preferential expression of the allele inherited from one parent or the other. [More]
In vitro
Done in the "test tube".
In vivo
Refers to experiments performed in the living organism.
Independent assortment
of genes
Indole-3-acetic acid
Inflammation
Response of a tissue to injury. Characterized by increased blood flow, increased temperature, redness, accumulation of leukocytes, and pain.
Infliximab
Influenza
Discussion
Ingestion
Taking of food or water into the body. [More]
Inhibitory postsynaptic potential (IPSP)
The hyperpolarization created in a neuron by the arrival of an action potential at the terminals of a neuron synapsing with it. [More]
Inner Cell Mass
[of mouse blastocyst] [of human blastocyst]
Inorganic
Term describing all compounds that do not contain carbon as well as a few simple carbon-containing substances such as carbon dioxide and the carbonates.
Insertion
[DNA]
Insulin
Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM).
Insulin-like growth factor
[Igf-1] Imprinting of Igf-2 gene (as well as that of its receptor)
Integral membrane protein
[schematic (48K)] [single-pass] [thylakoid] [mitochondrion]
Integrins
Interferon (IFN)
Interleukins
Cytokines that regulate development and activities of leukocytes. [in blood cell formation] [interactions with helper T cells]
Intermediate filaments
Discussion
Intermediate host
Host normally used by a parasite during an immature or larval stage of the parasite's life cycle.
Interneuron
Any neuron that is activated by and, in turn, activates other neurons. In vertebrates most interneurons are confined to the central nervous system (CNS). Also called an association neuron.
Interstitial fluid
The fluid lying between, and thus bathing, the cells of animals. Interstitial fluid is derived from blood. Lymph is derived from it.
Intestine
[physiology]
Intrinsic factor
[and pernicious anemia]
Introgression
Introduction of the genes of one species into the gene pool of another species.
Intron
Portion of a gene that is transcribed into RNA but is removed during the formation of the mature RNA molecule. Found in rRNA and tRNA genes as well as in genes encoding proteins. Most eukaryotic genes have introns; most prokaryotic genes do not.[More]
Invariant (Ii) chain
[and class II histocompatibility molecules]
Invertebrate
An animal that has no backbone.
Inverted repeats
Ion
Atom or group of atoms that has an electrical charge arising from the gain or loss of electrons.
Ion channels
in cell membranes
Ionic bond
Chemical bond formed between ions of opposite charge. [More]
Iron
[nutritional requirement]
Islets of Langerhans
Isoleucine
[structure]
Isomer
Molecule with the same molecular formula as another but with a different structural formula (e.g., glucose and fructose).
Isometric
The contraction, without shortening, of a muscle. [More]
Isotonic
(1) Adjective to describe the contraction of a muscle that is allowed to shorten as it exerts a steady force. (2) Having the same concentration of water as the solution under comparison. (More)
Isotope
Atom that differs in weight from other atoms of the same element because of a different number of neutrons in its nucleus. [Discussion]
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