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A-B-C-D-E-F-G-H-I-J-K-L-M-N-O-P-Q-R-S-T-U-V-W-X-Y-Z
- lac operon
- [Discussion] [using it to detect mutations in mice] [using it to detect cell-specific gene expression]
- Lacteal
- Lactose
- A disaccharide ("milk sugar"). When hydrolyzed, it yields one molecule of glucose and one of galactose. [More]
- Lagging strand
- [DNA]
- Larva
- Immature stage of many animals that must undergo metamorphosis to become an adult.
- Latent period
- Interval between application of a stimulus and the first detectable response. [in activation of skeletal muscle]
- Lateral geniculate body
- One of a pair of brain centers where the axons of the optic nerve synapse with interneurons leading to the visual cortex.
- LD50
- That dose of a substance that kills 50% of the animals exposed.
- LDL (low-density lipoprotein)
- [and cholesterol]
- Leaf
- [structure] [gas exchange in]
- LEAFY (LFY)
- Legume
- A member of a family of pod-bearing plants that includes peas, beans, clovers, alfalfa (lucerne), and so on.
- Lens
- of human eye
- Lenticels
- Leptin
- Hormone of fat cells.
- Leucine
- [structure]
- Leukemia
- A cancer characterized by an uncontrolled increase in the number of one of the leukocytes of the blood.[Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML)] [Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL)] [Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML)]
- Leukocyte
- A white blood cell. [More]
- Leukotrienes
- [inhibitors for treating asthma]
- LH
- Luteinizing hormone
- Lichen
- Mutualistic association of a fungus with a green alga or a cyanobacterium.
- Liddle's syndrome
- Ligaments
- Ligand
- A molecule that binds to another molecule or to a cell.
- Lignin
- Complex substance found in the cell walls of sclerenchyma and xylem tissue, which are strengthened by it.
- Limbic system
- Linkage
- Tendency of two genes to be inherited together because they are located on the same chromosome. [Discussion]
- Lipase
- Enzyme that digests fats.
- Lipids
- in blood
- Lipoprotein
- [cholesterol transport]
- Liver
- [Hormones of] [physiology]
- Liverworts
- Long-term potentiation (LTP)
- A long-lasting increase in the ease with which impulses are propagated across synapses. [Discussion]
- Lovastatin
- [and cholesterol]
- Lumen
- The cavity inside a tubular structure such as a blood vessel or kidney tubule.
- Luteinizing hormone
- LH
- Lym-1
- Lymph
- Fluid in the vessels of the lymphatic system. Lymph is derived from interstitial fluid and contains many lymphocytes. [More]
- Lymph nodes
- Lymphocyte
- T cells and B cells
- Lymphoid
- Referring to lymphocytes or tissues (e.g., lymph nodes) in which lymphocytes are a major constituent.
- Lymphokine
- Protein secreted by lymphocytes that affects their own activity and/or that of other cells. Most of the interleukins are lymphokines. Lymphokines represent a subset of cytokines. [examples]
- Lymphoma
- A cancer of lymphoid tissue. [Burkitt's lymphoma]
- Lymphotoxin
- Cytokine that triggers apoptosis. [More]
- Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD)
- Lysine
- [structure]
- Lysis
- The disintegration of a cell following damage to its plasma membrane.
- Lysogeny
- The stable incorporation of a prophage into the genome of a bacterium.
- Lysosomes
- Lysozyme