|
| | |
Ecogenetics
Ecogenetics The interaction of genetics with the environment. The genetic disease PKU (phenylketonuria) provides an illustration of ecogenetics. Persons with PKU lack an enzyme to process an amino acid (phenylalanine) and so require a special environment: a diet low in phenylalanine.
RELATED TERMS--------------------------------------
Genetics
The scientific study of heredity. Genetics pertains to humans and all other organisms. So, for example, there is human genetics, mouse genetics, fruitfly genetics, etc.
Environment
The sum of the total of the elements, factors and conditions in the surroundings which may have an impact on the development, action or survival of an organism or group of organisms. The environment is as opposed to genetics. We are the product of our genetic inheritance and our environment.
Genetic
Hereditary. Having to do with the genes.
Disease
Illness or sickness often characterized by typical patient problems (symptoms) and physical findings (signs). Disruption sequence: The events that occur when a fetus that is developing normally is subjected to a destructive agent such as the rubella (German measles) virus.
Ecogenetics
The interaction of genetics with the environment. The genetic disease PKU (phenylketonuria) provides an illustration of ecogenetics. Persons with PKU lack an enzyme to process an amino acid (phenylalanine) and so require a special environment: a diet low in phenylalanine.
Enzyme
A cellular protein whose shape allows it to hold together several other molecules in close proximity to each other. In this way, enzymes are able to induce chemical reactions in other substances with little expenditure of energy and without being changed themselves. Basically, an enzyme acts as a catalyst.
Diet
In nutrition, the diet is the sum of the food consumed by a body. Proper nutrition for a human requires vitamins, minerals, proteins, and fuel in the form of carbohydrates and fats. Imbalances between the consumed fuels and expended energy results in either starvation or excessive reserves of adipose tissue, or body fat
Phenylalanine
An essential amino acid occurring in proteins. A small amount of phenylalanine is necessary in the diet to make the proteins that form human tissues.
SIMILAR TERMS--------------------------------------
ECoG
Electrocochleography.
PREVIOUS AND NEXT TERMS--------------------------------------
Echocardiography, transesophageal
A diagnostic test which is done through the esophagus and which employs ultrasound waves to make images of the heart chambers, valves and surrounding structures. Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) may be used, for example, in the treatment of children having heart surgery. TEE has unusually accurate imaging capabilities that permit the identification of previously unidentified anatomic features and postoperative surgical results that may necessitate a change in surgical plan or surgical revision before the child leaves the operating suite.
Echovirus
A group of viruses found in the gastrointestinal tract. The "echo" part of the name stands for enteric cytopathic human orphan viruses. "Orphan" implied that they were viruses not associated with any disease. However, it is now known that echoviruses can cause a number of different diseases including rashes, diarrhea, respiratory infections (the common cold, sore throat, bronchitis, and bronchiolitis), myositis (muscle inflammation), meningitis, encephalitis, and pericarditis (inflammation of the membrane around the heart).
Eclosion
The emergence of an adult insect from its pupal case, or the hatching of an insect larva from an egg.
ECochG
Electrocochleography.
ECoG
Electrocochleography.
Ecogenetics
Economy class syndrome
The formation of blood clots in veins deep within the legs -- deep vein thrombosis -- occurring during (or just after) a long airplane flight, especially in economy class (tourist class) where there is the least space allotted per passenger and ones legs tend especially to be immobilized for lack of leg room.
Ecstatic
Pertaining to ecstasy, a state of rapture and trancelike elation.
ECT
Electroconvulsive therapy.
Ectoderm
One of the three primary germ cell layers (the other two being the mesoderm and endoderm) that make up the very early embryo. The ectoderm is the outermost of the three layers. It differentiates to give rise to many important tissues and structures including the outer layer of the skin and its appendages (the sweat glands, hair, and nails), the teeth, the lens of the eye, parts of the inner ear, the nerves, brain, and spinal cord. This much is classic human embryology. Stem cell research, however, has shown that some cells within ectodermal structures retain their ability to differentiate into other tissues. For example, some cells in brain (ectoderm) can become bone marrow (mesoderm).
Ectodermal
Pertaining to the ectoderm or to tissues derived from the ectoderm, one of the three primary germ cell layers that make up the very early embryo. The ectoderm is the outermost of the three layers.
We thank you for using the Health Dictionary to search for Ecogenetics. If you have a better definition for Ecogenetics than the one presented here, please let us know by making use of the suggest a term option. This definition of Ecogenetics may be disputed by other professionals. Our attempt is to provide easy definitions on Ecogenetics and any other medical topic for the public at large.This dictionary contains 25007 terms. |
|
|
