|
A |
|
|
14-3-3 test
(PrD) |
Detection of elevated levels of the 14-3-3 protein in the
cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) has been reported to support a CJD diagnosis
in the scientific literature, but many people with confirmed CJD have a
negative or normal result while many others who do not have CJD, but
have other neurological disease, have a positive result. |
|
ABC
(HS) |
Atomic, Biological, Chemical. An umbrella
term for weapons of mass destruction. CBRNE (Chemical, Biological,
Radiological, Nuclear, Explosive) is the preferred term today. |
|
Abdomen
(Ento) |
The posterior of the three body divisions of
an insect. The other two body divisions are head and thorax. |
|
Abdomen
(Zoo) |
A region of the body between the chest and
the pelvis; belly. |
|
Abdominocentesis
(Vet) |
The insertion of a needle into the abdominal
cavity to remove fluids.
|
|
Aberrant host
(Para) |
One in which the parasite cannot complete its
development or appropriate phase of its development. A dead end host
form which it cannot continue its life cycle.
|
|
Abiotic
(Eco) |
Non-living, physical or chemical. For
example: abiotic damage to a crop includes damage by solar radiation,
temperature, humidity, pH.
|
|
Abiotic factors
(Eco) |
Inanimate, inorganic, not living. In
agriculture, abiotic factors include temperature, moisture, light, etc.
|
|
Abnormal
(Bio) |
Not normal. Deviating from the usual
structure, position, condition, or behavior. In referring to a growth,
abnormal may mean that it is cancerous or premalignant (likely to become
cancer).
|
|
Abnormal host
(Para) |
This term implies that the host is not the
usual one. In this broad sense there are two kinds of abnormal hosts,
accidental and aberrant. We prefer to use one or the other of these two
terms because they carry more precise meaning.
|
|
ABO
(HS) |
Agents of Biological Origin. A synonym for
biological weapons.
|
|
Abomasum
(Ento) |
Fourth and final region of stomach in
Ruminantia.
|
|
Abopercular end
(Para) |
In eggs having an operculum, the opposite end
is referred to as the "abopercular end."
|
|
Aboral surface
(Aqua) |
Upward facing side of an echinoderm.
|
|
Abraded
(Ento) |
Scrapped or rubbed.
|
|
Abscess
(Bio) |
A local accumulation of pus anywhere in the body. The
following are some examples of abscesses: 1. A skin abscess is better
known as a common boil; 2. A peritonsillar abscess is a persistent
collection of pus behind the tonsils; and 3. A perianal abscess is a
pool of pus that forms next to the anus, often causing considerable
tenderness and swelling in that area and pain on sitting down and on
defecating.
|
|
Abscess
(Trop, Vet) |
A collection of pus around an inflamed area
as a result of tissue destruction. It is usually found when the disease
is localized. In solid tissues, an abscess is a cavity formed by tissue
destruction.
|
|
Abscess
(Vet) |
A localized accumulation of pus; usually
associated with infection.
|
|
Absorption
(PEH) |
The process of taking in, as when a sponge
takes up water. Chemicals can be absorbed into the bloodstream after
breathing or swallowing. Chemicals can also be absorbed through the skin
into the bloodstream and then transported to other organs. Not all of
the chemical breathed, swallowed, or touched is always absorbed.
|
|
Abundance index
(Eco) |
Information obtained from samples or
observations and used as a measure of the weight or number of fish which
make up a stock.
|
|
ACAA
(HS) |
Automated Chemical Agent Alarm.
|
|
ACAMS
(HS) |
Automated Chemical Agent Monitoring System.
|
|
Acari
(Ento) |
An order in the class Arachnida, including
the mites and ticks. They are characterized by an oval, one-part body
and a minute to small body size. |
|
Acaricide
(Ento) |
Chemical that kills mites and ticks. Most
acaricides are also insecticides. |
|
Acarina
(Ento) |
An order in the class Arachnidae, comprised
of the mites and ticks, characterized by a one-part body and minute to
small body size.
|
|
Acarinum (Ento) |
Small invagination in the abdomen of old
world carpenter bees providing protection for symbiotic mites.
|
|
Acarologist
(Ento) |
A person who studies the life cycles,
behavior, ecology, or diversity of ticks and mites as their work or
hobby.
|
|
Acceptable daily intake
(Ento) |
The daily ingested intake of a pesticide
(expressed as mg/kg body weight per day) that, over the entire lifetime
of a human being, standard man = 60 Kg, appears to be without
appreciable risk on the basis of all known facts at a specified time.
|
|
Access control
(HS) |
The process of restricting access into an
affected zone to emergency workers and other authorized individuals
only.
|
|
Accessory genitalia (Ento) |
Seen only in Odonata on sternites of second
and third abdominal segments.
|
|
Accessory gland
(Ento) |
A gland associated with reproductive organs
of either mates or females and producing substances accompanying the
sperms or eggs. |
|
Accident
(OH) |
A sudden event that may result in illness
or injury.
|
|
Accidental host
(Para) |
A host in which the parasite is not commonly
found, nevertheless it is one suitable for the parasite's development.
In some instances (e.g. cysticercosis) the accidental host becomes a
"dead end" because even though the parasite develops through its
appropriate stages, it fails to find a portal of exit and is thus
blocked from continuing its life cycle. |
|
ACDA
(HS) |
Arms Control and Disarmament Agency. The US
government agency with a responsibility for monitoring the proliferation
of weapons of mass destruction and helping to control their spread.
|
|
ACE inhibitor
(Vet) |
Angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitor. Drug
which decreases the function of this particular enzyme. The
angiotensin-converting-enzyme changes a compound called angiotensin I to
angiotensin II. Angiotensin II is a potent blood vessel constrictor. ACE
inhibitors, then, have the effect of dilating blood vessels, since less
Angiotensin II is produced. |
|
Acetabulum
(Para) |
A muscular organ of attachment, commonly
called a "sucker", usually associated with the scolex of tapeworms.
|
|
Acetylcholine
(Aqua) |
A neurotransmitter released at neuromuscular
junctions and autonomic synapses.
|
|
Acetylcholine
(Ento) |
Chemical transmitter of nerve and
nerve-muscle impulses between nerve and across nerve-muscle junctions.
In normal nerve activity it is hydrolysed by the enzyme cholinesterase
after each impulse. Some pesticides work by blocking the function of the
cholinesterase enzyme. |
|
Acetylcholine esterase (Ento) |
Enzyme within the synaptic gap that
hydrolyses acetylcholine to choline and acetic acid.
|
|
ACGIH
(OH) |
See American Conference of Governmental
Industrial Hygienists. |
|
Acicular (Ento) |
Pointed, needle shaped.
|
|
Acid
(Vet) |
A fluid containing a high proportion of
hydrogen ions, giving the liquid a sour taste. Measured by pH units,
with 1 the most acidic, and 14 the least acidic. Chemical reactions in
the body have to take place at or near neutrality, pH 7.
|
|
Acid rain
(Eco) |
Natural rainfall which contains nitric and
sulfuric acids due to oxides of nitrogen and sulfur dioxide discharged
into the air by industries, power plants, and automobiles.
|
|
Acidopore (Ento) |
Flexible setae fringed nozzle in formicine
ants.
|
|
ACOEM (OH) |
See
American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.
|
|
ACPG
(HS) |
Advanced Chemical Protection Garment.
|
|
ACPLA
(HS) |
Agent containing particles per liter of air.
|
|
Acquired
(Bio) |
Anything that is not present at birth but develops some
time later. In medicine, the word "acquired" implies "new" or "added."
An acquired condition is "new" in the sense that it is not genetic
(inherited) and "added" in the sense that was not present at birth.
|
|
Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS)
(Trop, Vet) |
A severe manifestation of infection with the
human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
|
|
Acquired immunity
(Epi, Trop, Vet) |
The inherited potential to resist a disease
or infection. See immunity.
|
|
Acrostichal bristles
(Ento) |
The two rows of hairs or bristles lying one
on either side of the mid-line of the thorax of a true fly.
|
|
ACTD
(HS) |
Advanced concept technology demonstration.
|
|
ACTH (Vet) |
Adrenocorticotropic hormone. A hormone,
secreted by the pituitary gland, which stimulates the adrenal gland to
work.
|
|
Action potential
(Vet) |
The depolarization of a nerve cell, shown as
a spike on an oscilloscope. |
|
Activated charcoal
(Vet) |
Charcoal which has been treated to increase
its adsorptive power (ability to have chemicals adhere to it); used to
treat various forms of poisoning. |
|
Activation
(HS) |
Usually the first phase of the response to a
nuclear emergency, which consists of bringing together members of the
National Support Structure. |
|
Activator
(Ento) |
A substance added to a pesticide that
increases its toxicity resulting in more effective control.
|
|
Active immunity
(Epi, Trop, Vet) |
Immunity produced when an animal’s own immune
system reacts to a stimulus e.g., a virus or bacteria, and produces
antibodies and cells which will protect it from the disease caused by
the bacteria or virus. Compare with passive immunity.
|
|
Active ingredient
(Ento) |
The toxic component of a formulated
pesticide.
|
|
Active space (Ento) |
The space within which the concentration of a
pheromone or other behaviorally active substance is concentrated enough
to generate the required response, remembering that like light and sound
pheromones become more dilute the further they radiate out from their
source. |
|
Active transmission
(Epi, Para, Trop, Vet) |
This may take either of two forms: (1) When
an animate vector is involved, the vector itself seeks out the host and
brings to it the parasite, as in African trypanosomiasis. (2) When an
active, aggressive parasite is involved, the parasite itself seeks out
the host and enters it, as in schistosomiasis.
|
|
Activity
(HS) |
See Radioactivity.
|
|
Aculeate
(Ento) |
Those members of the Hymenoptera which
possess a sting.
|
|
Acuminate
(Ento) |
Tapering to a long point.
|
|
Acute
(Ento, Trop, Vet, Zoo) |
Of short duration, characterized by sudden
sharpness or severity. Opposite of chronic.
|
|
Acute (injury or illness)
(OH) |
An injury or illness that happens quickly.
|
|
Acute
(PEH) |
Occurring over a short time, usually a few
minutes or hours. An acute exposure can result in short term or long
term health effects. An acute effect happens within a short time after
exposure.
|
|
Acute exposure
(PEH) |
Contact with a substance that occurs once or
for only a short time (up to 14 days).
|
|
Acute toxicity
(Ento) |
The toxicity of a substance determined at the
end of 24 hours. The toxicity that causes damage or death from a single
dose or exposure. |
|
ADA
(OH) |
See Americans with Disabilities Act.
|
|
ADCPE
(HS) |
Advance Deployable Collective Protective
Equipment.
|
|
Adder
(Zoo) |
A group of snakes with a wide geographical
distribution, belonging to the family Elapidae. Also known as vipers.
|
|
Addison's
disease
(Vet) |
Addison's disease is also known as
hypoadrenocorticism. It is a disease that results from a decrease in
corticosteroid secretion from the adrenal gland.
|
|
Additive effect
(PEH) |
A biologic response to exposure to multiple
substances that equals the sum of responses of all the individual
substances added together. |
|
Adeagus
(Ento) |
The part of the male genitalia which is
inserted into the female during copulation and which carries the sperm
into the female. Its shape is often important in separating closely
related species.
|
|
Adecticous
(Ento) |
Referring to the state in which the pupa does
not posses movable mandibles, the opposite being decticous. Arthropods
having non-articulated, often reduced mandibles.
|
|
Adenocarcinoma
(Trop) |
Malignant tumor of glandular epithelium.
|
|
Adenoma
(Trop) |
Benign tumor of glandular epithelium.
|
|
Adhesive
(Ento) |
Substance added to a formulation to increase
the surface retention (persistence) of a pesticide.
|
|
Adjuster
(OH) |
Investigator of insurance claims.
|
|
Adjuvant
(Ento) |
A substance that improves the properties of a
pesticide formulation. For example wetting agents, spreaders,
emulsifiers, dispersing agents, foam suppressants, penetrants, and
correctives.
|
|
Adjuvant
(Vet) |
A substance added to killed vaccines to
stimulate a better immune response by the body. Common adjuvants contain
aluminum compounds. |
|
Adrenal glands
(Vet) |
Two small glands near the kidneys that
produce many hormones required for life.
|
|
Adrenaline
(Vet) |
A hormone produced by the adrenal glands that
elevates heart and respiration rates; also called epinephrine.
|
|
Adrenergic
(Vet) |
Communication between the nerves and muscles
that uses epinephrine as the messenger hormone. Adrenergic stimulation
is what is involved in the 'flight or fight' response, which means the
body is alerted to a danger of some sort and prepares to basically run
or fight. Adrenergic stimulation results in an increased heart rate,
sweating, and increased blood pressure.
|
|
ADS
(HS) |
Area Detection System.
|
|
Adsorbent
(Vet) |
A solid substance which attracts other
molecules to its surface.
|
|
Adult
(Ento) |
The last, or mature, stage in the life cycle
of an insect. It is the reproductive stage.
|
|
Adult mosquito
(Trop) |
The adult is a slender, delicate insect with
six comparatively long, thin legs. The outer covering of the body is
composed of a tough substance called chitin. The body is divided into
three distinct parts: head, thorax and abdomen.
|
|
Adult stage
(Para) |
The stage that is sexually mature and in
which procreation occurs.
|
|
Adulterate
(Ento) |
To reduce the purity of a material below the
standards it is supposed to represent. For example, a pesticide that
does not conform to the professed standard or quality as documented on
its label or labelling.
|
|
Adulticide (Ento, Vet) |
Chemical substance that kills the adult stage
of arthropod pests/parasites.
|
|
Adverse health effect
(PEH) |
A change in body function or cell structure,
that might lead to disease or health problems.
|
|
Aedeagus (Ento) |
Intermittent organ of males of most insect
groups, often used for identification.
|
|
Aedes
(Trop) |
A mosquito genus in the sub-family Culicine.
Various species may transmit arboviral and filarial infections.
|
|
Aerobic
(Eco, Vet) |
Needing oxygen to live.
|
|
Aerobic bacteria
(Vet) |
Bacteria that require oxygen to survive and
grow.
|
|
Aeromonas
(Trop) |
A genus of Gram negative rods that can cause
wound infections, especially in Aquaculture workers. Certain pathotypes
can also be the cause of diarrhea, including travelers’ diarrhea.
|
|
Aeropile
(Ento) |
The opening in the chorion (egg shell)
through which air enters, often covered by a plastron.
|
|
Aerosol
(HS) |
A suspension of very fine particles in air.
The particles are small enough to remain suspended in air for very long
times as a result of buffeting by air molecules. Aerosols are a primary
method of delivering chemical and biological weapons and the properties
of aerosol particles that allow them to enter the lungs are well-known.
|
|
AERP
(HS) |
Aircrew Eyes/Respiratory Protection System.
|
|
Aeshnidae
(Ento) |
Dragonflies.
|
|
Aestivate
(Zoo) |
To pass the summer in a certain manner or
condition, often in a dormant or torpid state. It is when animals,
especially desert animals, go into a state of torpor or hibernation in
response to very dry conditions or hot temperatures. They usually emerge
for a period of activity in the fall of the year.
|
|
Aestivation
(Ento, Zoo) |
1)
Condition
in which an organism has a period of inactivity as an adaptive response
to unfavorable conditions encountered during the hot or dry season,
e.g., aestivating adults of some anopheles species. 2) Dormancy
during a warm or dry season which allows insects to survive during
periods of extreme heat or drought.
2)
|
|
Aetiology
(Epi) |
See etiology - The study of the causes of
disease.
|
|
AFDC
(HS) |
Air Force
Doctrine Center.
|
|
Afebrile, apyretic
(Trop, Vet) |
Without a fever. This is often important in
differentiating poisoning from an infection with similar signs and
symptoms. The infection may give rise to a fever while the poisoning
does not.
|
|
Aflatoxins
(Ento) |
Toxins that are produced by the fungus
Aspergillus flavus.
|
|
African trypanosomiasis
(Trop) |
A systemic disease caused by parasite of the
Trypanosoma brucei family, and transmitted by the bite of the tsetse
fly. There is West African trypanosomiasis and East African
trypanosomiasis, referring to the areas in Africa where they are found.
Also called African sleeping sickness.
|
|
AFRRI
(HS) |
Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute.
|
|
Age distribution
(Stat) |
The frequency of different ages or age groups
in a given population. The distribution may refer to either how many or
what proportion of the group. The population is usually patients with a
specific disease but the concept is not restricted to humans and is not
restricted to medicine.
|
|
Age factors
(Stat) |
Age as a constituent element or influence
contributing to the production of a result. It may be applicable to the
cause or the effect of a circumstance. It is used with human or animal
concepts but should be differentiated from aging, a physiological
process, and time factors which refers only to the passage of time.
|
|
Age polyethism
(Stat) |
The regular changing of roles of colony
members as they get older.
|
|
Agent
(Trop) |
A substance, living or inanimate, or a force,
sometimes rather intangible, the excessive presence or relative lack of
which is the immediate or proximal cause of a particular disease.
|
|
Age-structured model
(Epi) |
A mathematical model which take into
consideration the division of the host population into different age
classes. Such models can used to consider the consequences of such
factors as age-dependent infection, morbidity or mortality rates or of
age-specific vaccination schedules.
|
|
Agglutination
(Vet) |
Clumping together.
|
|
Agglutinin
(Trop, Vet) |
A substance that promotes the agglutination
of cells. It may be an antibody, an antigen, or an external agent such
as a plant lectin.
|
|
Aggregate
(Ento, Zoo) |
A group of individuals drawn together due to
some environmental attraction, such as safe sleeping area, basking
areas, food source, or mating.
|
|
Aggregation
(Ento, Zoo) |
Coming together of organisms into a group.
For example a swarm of locusts.
|
|
Aggregation
(Epi) |
A distribution of parasites amongst hosts is
said to be aggregated, or over dispersed, if parasites are found to
co-occur in particular hosts more often than if the parasites were
distributed at random amongst all hosts. A more precise test would be if
the distribution differed significantly from a Poisson distribution; a
good heuristic is whether the variance to mean ratio is bigger than
unity (in appropriate units). Macroparasites are typically aggregated in
their host populations, so that the majority of hosts harbor few or no
parasites while a few hosts harbor large parasite burdens. Aggregated
distributions are often well described empirically by the negative
binomial distribution.
|
|
Aggressive
(Bio) |
In oncology, quickly growing, tending to
spread rapidly. As, for example, an aggressive tumor.
|
|
Aging
(HS) |
A phenomenon associated with nerve agent
exposure. The nerve agent reacts with its target, acetylcholinesterase,
to inhibit it. If treatment is not begun immediately there is a second.
slower reaction (the aging reaction) that results in a form of the
enzyme that is less responsive to reactivation, making it harder for the
victim to recover.
|
|
Agricultural chemical
(Eco) |
Chemicals used to improve agricultural
production and to protect crops (pesticides, plant hormones, chemical
fertilizers, etc.).
|
|
Agricultural commodity
(Eco) |
Any plant or part of a plant, animal or
animal product that is to be bought or sold.
|
|
Agro-ecology
(Eco) |
The study of ecology in relation to
agricultural systems.
|
|
Agro-ecosystem
(Eco) |
The ecosystem composed of cultivated land and
surrounding or intermixed uncultivated areas, the plants contained or
grown thereon, and their associated animals.
|
|
AICPS
(HS) |
Advanced Integrated Collective Protective
System.
|
|
AIDECONS
(HS) |
Aircraft Interior Decontamination System.
|
|
AIDET
(HS) |
Aircraft Interior Detector.
|
|
AIDS
(Trop, Vet) |
Acquired immune deficiency disease; a
condition resulting from infection with one of a particular group of
viruses (see HIV) in which the immune system does not function to
prevent or reduce the effects of various disease entities.
|
|
AIDS-related complex
(Trop) |
A variety of chronic symptoms and physical
findings that occur in some persons who are infected with HIV, but do
not meet the Centers for Disease Control's definition of AIDS. Symptoms
may include chronic swollen glands, recurrent fevers, unintentional
weight loss, chronic diarrhea, lethargy, minor alterations of the immune
system (less severe than those that occur in AIDS), and oral thrush. ARC
may or may not develop into AIDS.
|
|
AIHA
(OH) |
See American Industrial Hygiene
Association.
|
|
Air sac
(Ento, Zoo) |
A dilated portion of a trachea.
|
|
AIRIS
(HS) |
Adaptive Infra-Red Imaging Spectroradiometer.
|
|
Airshed
(Eco) |
The geographic area responsible for emitting
75% of the air pollution reaching a body of water. The Chesapeake Bay's
airshed reaches north into Canada, west into Indiana and south into
South Carolina.
|
|
Akinetic Mutism
(PrD) |
1) A state where a person can no longer move or talk due
to damage to the base of the brain, but the person is awake (not
comatose) and their eyes are open and can follow what is going on around
them. 2) The loss of the voluntary ability to speak and move. This
term should be specifically stated. Unless it is clearly stated that the
patient is awake and not comatose, do not substitute the term
"unresponsive." |
|
Ala
(Trop) |
A winged-like expansion of cuticular
integument of nematodes; an expansion at the esophageal region called
"cervical alae", e.g. in Toxocara species, or at the posterior end
called "caudal alae" and in the larval stages of some nematodes the
expansion may extend almost entire lateral aspects of the body, these
expansions are called "lateral alae". In Oxyuridae, e.g. Entoerobius
vermicularis, the cuticle at the anterior end expands dorso-ventrally
into "cephalic alae."
|
|
Alae
(Para) |
Flattened, wing-like expansions of the
cuticle of nematodes.
|
|
Alar squama
(Ento) |
The middle of three flap-like outgrowths at
the base of the wing in various flies.
|
|
Alary muscles
(Ento) |
Muscles in the dorsal diaphragm, the
contractions of which induce the flow of blood into the hemocoet
surrounding the heart.
|
|
Alatae
(Ento) |
Winged forms.
|
|
Alate
(Ento) |
Winged; having wings.
|
|
Albino
(Vet, Zoo) |
Skin lacks all dark pigments such as black,
brown, orange and red; albino herps are white with some yellow. Current
use in herpetoculture applies this term to all reptiles lacking one or
more colors. Thus, anerythristic, amelanistic and albinos are all being
referred to as albino. |
|
Albumin
(Vet) |
A protein in the blood responsible for the
maintenance of osmotic (water) pressure in the blood; also binds
(attaches) to large molecules in the blood and serves to transport them;
produced by the liver; also called 'serum albumin.'
|
|
Albuminuria
(Vet) |
The presence of albumins in the urine. This
is a sign of kidney damage because the kidneys normally filter proteins
from the urine stream with extreme efficiency.
|
|
Alcohol
(Eco) |
A liquid chemical extracted from plants.
|
|
Aldosterone
(Vet) |
A hormone secreted by the adrenal gland that
stimulates sodium (and therefore water) retention and potassium
excretion; important in blood pressure maintenance.
|
|
Aldrin
(Trop) |
A synthetic insecticide; a chlorinated
hydrocarbon of not less than 95%
1,2,3,4,10,10-hexachloro-1,4,4a,5,8,8a-hexahydro-exo-1,4-endo-5,8-dimethanonaphthalene;
moderately toxic to mammals, acute oral LD, for rats 44 mg/kg;
phytotoxicity: none when properly formulated, but some crops are
sensitive to solvents in certain formulations.
|
|
Algae
(Aqua) |
Photosynthetic plants which may be
single-celled or multi-celled, some (phytoplankton) float in the water
while others (tuff and macroalgae) form clumps or thick carpets on
vacant surfaces, others (coralline algae) are encrusting and form a hard
veneer on surfaces.
|
|
Algae
(Eco) |
Simple rootless plants that grow in bodies of
water (e.g. estuaries) at rates in relative proportion to the amounts of
nutrients (e.g. nitrogen and phosphorus) available in water.
|
|
Algicide
(Eco) |
A chemical substance used to control algae.
|
|
Algid
(Trop) |
A fever in which the patient suffers from
peripheral vascular collapse. Also known as a “cold” fever as their skin
feels cold and clammy. |
|
Alien species
(Aqua) |
Any species, including its seeds, eggs,
spores, or other biological material capable of propagating that species
that is not native to that ecosystem (from Executive Order 13112 on
Invasive Species). Also called an exotic species, non-native species,
non-indigenous species or introduced species.
|
|
Alimentary
(Vet) |
Pertaining to food or the digestive tract.
|
|
Aliphatic
(Vet) |
A term applied to the "open chain" or fatty
series of hydrocarbons.
|
|
Alitrunk
(Ento) |
Thorax and propodeum of narrow waisted
hymenopterans.
|
|
Alkaline
(Vet) |
A substance with very few hydrogen ions, and
a pH over 7. Lye is strongly alkaline.
|
|
Alkaline soil
(Eco) |
Soil containing alkali salts, usually in
amounts that are harmful to crop growth. Usually the pH of these soils
is above 8.5.
|
|
Alkaloids
(Eco) |
Substances found in plants, many having
powerful pharmacologic action, and characterized by content of nitrogen
and the property of combining with acids to form salts.
|
|
Allatectomy
(Ento) |
An operation resulting in removal of the
corpora allata (paired or fused ganglion-like bodies in the head of
insects.)
|
|
Allergen
(Vet) |
A substance that causes an allergic reaction,
e.g., pollen.
|
|
Allometric growth
(Eco, Ento, Zoo) |
A genetically determined tendency for a
certain body part to grow at a more rapid rate than other parts.
|
|
Allomone
(Vet) |
A compound released by one organism which
evokes a reaction in an individual of a different species and that is
favorable to the emitter but not to the receiver. Examples: 1) Plant
allomones which deter feeding. 2) Alarm pheromones in ants.
|
|
Alloparental
(Ento, Zoo) |
When individuals other than the parent assist
in the caring for that parents offspring.
|
|
Allopatric
(Ento, Zoo) |
Two or more forms of a species having
essentially separate distributions. |
|
Allowance
(Ento, Zoo) |
The allowed nutrient load a source may
discharge.
|
|
Alopecia
(Trop, Vet) |
The loss of hair. Often occurs after
treatment of cancer with chemo-therapeutic agents.
|
|
Alpha (α) particle
(HS) |
A positively charged particle consisting of
two protons and two neutrons, emitted by some radioactive elements. They
are highly ionizing, but do not travel far: shielding against alpha
particles requires only a thin layer of material, such as a piece of
paper.
|
|
Alternate host
(Para) |
One which alternates with another in the life
cycle of a parasite; snails and man are alternate hosts of schistosomes.
|
|
Alternation of generations
(Ento, Para) |
This describes the life cycle of a species in
which two or more different forms occur in successive generations, one
sexual, the other asexual. |
|
Alternative hypothesis
(Stat) |
In hypothesis testing, a null hypothesis
(typically, that there is no effect) is compared with an alternative
hypothesis (typically, that there is an effect, or that there is an
effect of a particular sign). For example, in evaluating whether a new
cancer remedy works, the null hypothesis typically would be that the
remedy does not work, while the alternative hypothesis would be that the
remedy does work. When the data are sufficiently improbable under the
assumption that the null hypothesis is true, the null hypothesis is
rejected in favor of the alternative hypothesis. |
|
Alternative work
(OH) |
A new job (with comparable pay) offered by
the same employer after you’ve been injured or made ill on the job such
that the doctor says you cannot return to your former job.
|
|
Altricial
(Zoo) |
Refers to mammals born in a fairly
undeveloped state; the young require close parental care for a period of
time. Rabbits are born in an altricial state, whereas, hares are
precocial.
|
|
Altruism
(Vet) |
1) The principle or practice of unselfish
concern for or devotion to the welfare of others. 2) Altruistic -
unselfishly concerned for or devoted to the welfare of others.
|
|
Altruistic
(Vet) |
Self-destructive or potentially
self-destructive behavior performed for the benefit of others.
|
|
Alula
(Ento) |
In insects: the outermost of the three
flap-like outgrowths at the base of the wing in various flies: really a
part of the wing membrane.
|
|
Alveoli
(Vet) |
The tiny microscopic areas of the lung where
the actual exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide into and out of the
blood occurs. Also called alveolus and alveolar sacs.
|
|
AMA
(OH) |
See American Medical Association.
|
|
AMAD
(HS) |
Automatic Mustard Agent Detector.
|
|
Amber
(Eco) |
Fossilized gum (tree sap). It is a hard,
sometimes clear, yellowish-brown material, often containing fossilized
insects. |
|
Ambient
(PEH) |
Surrounding. Ambient air usually means
outdoor air.
|
|
Ambient temperature
(Eco) |
The overall temperature of the environment.
|
|
Amblypygi
(Ento) |
An order of the Class Arachnida, comprised of
the tailless whipscorpions, which are characterized by a broad
cepahalothorax, prominent pincerlike pedipalps, and a first pair of legs
that are long and whiplike.
|
|
Ambrosia
(Eco) |
The fungus cultivated by wood-boring beetles
of the family Scolytidae. |
|
AMCCOM
(HS) |
Armaments, Munitions and Chemical Commands.
|
|
Ameba (Para) |
A single celled organism which has no rigid
body structure. Amebas move about and take in food by extending
pseudopods. Examples of parasitic amoebae include Entamoeba
histolytica (cause of amebic dysentery) and Naegleria sp. and
Acanthameba sp. (causes of eosinophilic meningitis). |
|
Amebiasis
(Trop) |
Protozoal disease caused by Entamoeba
histolytica, which may present as an amebic liver abscess,
intestinal amebiasis or disseminated amebiasis. |
|
AMEDDC&S
(HS) |
Army
Medical Department Center and School (US).
|
|
Amelanistic
(Zoo) |
Skin lacks all melanin, the substance which
produces brown and black coloring in the skin.
|
|
Ameloblastoma
(Trop) |
Aggressive benign tumor of the jaw, usually
the lower jaw. It is more common in Asian and African people. It results
from a proliferation of ameloblast cells, which is the cell that forms
enamel.
|
|
American
College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (ACOEM)
(OH) |
Provides ongoing training and education to
some 6,000 specialized occupational and environmental physicians;
publishes Occupational Medical Guidelines.
|
|
American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH)
(OH) |
Publishes standards for exposure to
industrial chemicals, among other activities.
|
|
American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA)
(OH) |
Represents industrial hygiene specialists
responsible for sampling and analyzing worker exposures to physical,
chemical, biological and radiological hazards; provides ongoing
training.
|
|
American Medical Association (AMA)
(OH) |
Publishes a series of Guides to the
Evaluation of Permanent Impairment.
|
|
American National Standards Institute (ANSI)
(OH) |
A privately funded, voluntary membership
organization that develops consensus standards for a wide variety of
devices and procedures. |
|
American Society of Industrial Security (ASIS)
(OH) |
Grants credentials to practitioners of
industrial security, including assets, personnel and processes; oversees
the professional designation, Certified Protection Professional (CPP).
|
|
American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE)
(OH) |
The United States’ oldest occupational health
and safety organization representing safety professionals; provides
ongoing education and information about regulatory matters.
|
|
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
(OH) |
A federal law that prohibits discrimination
against people with disabilities.
|
|
Ametabola
(Ento) |
Insects which do not undergo a metamorphosis.
|
|
Ametabolous
(Ento) |
Without metamorphosis; that is, changing
little in form during the course of growth and molting.
|
|
Amine
(Vet) |
An organic compound containing nitrogen,
derived from ammonia, NH3, by replacing one or more hydrogen atoms by as
many hydrocarbon radicals.
|
|
Amino acid
(Vet) |
Organic compounds that contain the amino
(NH,) group and the carboxyl (COOH) group. Amino acids are the building
blocks of proteins.
|
|
Aminoglycoside
(Vet) |
A class of antibiotics which act by
interfering with bacterial protein synthesis within the bacteria which
results in the death of the bacteria. Antibiotics in this class include
gentamicin (Gentocin), kanamycin, neomycin, streptomycin, tobramycin,
and amikacin. Many of these antibiotics are not well-absorbed from the
animal's digestive system, so are often administered as injections, or
used topically.
|
|
Amitotic division
(Vet) |
Nuclear division by constriction without the
formation of chromosomes yielding two equal nuclei.
|
|
Ammonia
(Vet) |
A colorless alkaline gas, NH3,
soluble in water.
|
|
Amoebic liver abscess (ALA)
(Trop) |
Abscess of the liver caused by Entamoeba
histolytica and often containing so called “anchovy sauce” fluid.
|
|
Amphibian
(Zoo) |
A group of cold-blooded vertebrates whose
reproductive biology is closely tied to water. Includes frogs, toads,
newts and salamanders.
|
|
Amphipods
(Zoo) |
Small, shrimplike crustaceans.
|
|
Amplexus
(Zoo) |
The copulatory behavior of Anurans, where the
male sits on the female’s back and grasps her with his forelimbs. May
be inguinal, axillary, cephalic, straddled, or glued.
|
|
Amylase
(Vet) |
Digestive enzyme, produced by the pancreas
which breaks down carbohydrates and starches.
|
|
Amyloid
(PrD) |
A chemical structure that can accumulate in brain tissue
becuase of a variety of different diseases. In CJD, the amyloid is
normally made up of the prion protein.
|
|
Anabolic steroid
(Vet) |
A type of steroid (not a corticosteroid like
prednisone, cortisone, or dexamethasone) which promotes the building of
tissues, like muscle.
|
|
Anadromous
(Zoo) |
Fish that spend most of their life in salt
water but migrate into freshwater tributaries to spawn (i.e. shad,
sturgeon).
|
|
Anaemia
(Trop) |
Decrease in number of red blood cells and/or
quantity of hemoglobin. Malaria causes anemia through rupture of red
blood cells during merozoite release. The anaemia caused may be extreme.
Pallor may be visible in the patient.
|
|
Anaerobic
(Eco, Vet) |
Not containing oxygen or not requiring
oxygen.
|
|
Anaerobic bacteria
(Vet) |
Bacteria which only live in an environment in
which there is no or little oxygen.
|
|
Anal
(Vet) |
Pertaining to last abdominal segment which
bears the anus.
|
|
Anal angle
(Ento) |
The small apical area enclosed by the inner
and outer margins of the hindwing.
|
|
Anal fin
(Aqua) |
The fin on the median (i.e. middle) line
behind the vent (i.e. the anus).
|
|
Anal fold
(Ento) |
A fold in the inner margin of the hindwing.
|
|
Anal veins
(Ento) |
The hindmost or most posterior longitudinal
wing veins.
|
|
Analgesia
(Trop, Vet) |
Pain reduction or relief.
|
|
Analgesic
(Vet) |
An agent for deadening the sense of pain
without loss of consciousness. |
|
Analogy
(Vet) |
Similarity in function filling a common need
but having a different evolutionary origin.
|
|
Analysis
(Bio) |
A psychology term for processes used to gain
understanding of complex emotional or behavioral issues.
|
|
Analysis of variance (ANOVA)
(Stat) |
An analytical method that compares the means
of groups by analyzing each group's contribution to the overall
uncertainty of the data, the variance.
|
|
Analyte
(PEH) |
A chemical for which a sample (such as water,
air, blood, urine or other substance) is tested. For example, if the
analyte is mercury, the laboratory test will determine the amount of
mercury in the sample.
|
|
Analytic epidemiologic study
(PEH) |
A study that evaluates the association
between exposure to hazardous substances and disease by testing
scientific hypotheses.
|
|
Analytic epidemiology
(Epi) |
A focused study of the determinants of
disease or reasons for high or low frequency of disease in specific
groups.
|
|
Anamnestic response
(Vet) |
The faster and greater immune response
produced by an animal who has previously encountered that specific
antigen. Memory cells are responsible for this more efficient response.
Also called secondary response.
|
|
Anamorphosis
(Ento) |
Development of an organism in which one or
more body segments are added posteriorly at each molt.
|
|
Anaphylaxis
(Trop) |
Increasing sensitivity of the body to a
protein after an initial reaction which may have been mild. The second
or third exposure to this protein may cause severe respiratory or
circulatory embarrassment, leading to death.
|
|
Anaphylaxis
(Vet) |
Anaphylaxis is a rare, life-threatening,
immediate allergic reaction to something ingested or injected. If
untreated, it results in shock, respiratory and cardiac failure, and
death. May also be referred to as anaphylactic shock or anaphylactoid
reaction.
|
|
Anaplasmosis
(Ento) |
Infection with Anaplasma, a genus of Sporozoa
that infests red blood cells.
|
|
Anapsis (Zoo) |
Refers to reptilian skull in which there are
no temporal openings. A comparative common condition in fossil forms;
in living reptiles, known only in turtles.
|
|
Anasa wilt
(Ento) |
A wilt disease of cucurbits caused solely by
the feeding of the squash bug, no parasitic microorganism involved.
|
|
Anatomy
(Vet) |
Science which deals with the structure of
organisms.
|
|
ANBACIS
(HS) |
Automated Nuclear, Biological and Chemical
Information System.
|
|
Ancyclostoma caninum
(Trop) |
See eosinophilic enteritis.
|
|
Ancyclostoma duodenale
(Trop) |
See hookworm.
|
|
Androconia
(Ento) |
In male butterflies, specialized wing scales
(often called scent scales) possessing special glands which produce a
chemical attractive to females. |
|
Androgen
(Vet) |
A hormone which produces male sexual
characteristics, e.g., testosterone.
|
|
Anemia
(Trop, Vet) |
A reduced number or volume of red blood
cells, which results in lowered hemoglobin levels as seen in a number of
tropical diseases, e.g. malaria, hookworm disease. It may present with a
number of symptoms and signs including fatigue and pallor, especially of
the conjunctival and mucous membranes. There are many possible causes.
|
|
Anemic
(Vet) |
Deficient in blood quantity or quality.
|
|
Anemone
(Aqua, Trop) |
A usually colorful group of Anthozoans common
on reefs. Contact with human skin of divers or snorkellers may cause
severe, localized skin reactions, and systemic symptoms including severe
tiredness. Research is current in this area.
|
|
Anemotaxis
(Ento) |
Orientation with respect to currents in air.
|
|
Anesthesia
(Vet) |
Loss of sensation or feeling; induced
artificially with drugs to permit painful procedures such as surgery.
|
|
Angina
(Vet) |
The most widely understood use of the term
relates to a pain in the chest (angina pectoris) that arises from
insufficient blood supply to the heart. These pains start in the chest
and typically spread out to the left side of the body and in severe
cases (heart attacks) may affect the left arm and hand.
|
|
Angiography
(Vet) |
The x-ray of vessels after injecting a
contrasting fluid.
|
|
Angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitor
(Vet) |
ACE inhibitor. Drug which decreases the
function of this particular enzyme. The angiotensin-converting-enzyme
changes a compound called angiotensin I to angiotensin II. Angiotensin
II is a potent blood vessel constrictor. ACE inhibitors, then, have the
effect of dilating blood vessels, since less Angiotensin II is produced.
|
|
Angler
(Eco) |
Someone who goes fishing: somebody who fishes
with a hook, line, and rod.
|
|
Angulate
(Vet) |
Forming an angle.
|
|
Animal trap
(Trop) |
A cage generally made of cloth, which is
baited with an animal such as a cow, goat, etc. Collections of
mosquitoes are made on the walls of this trap to assess and compare
populations biting domestic animals with populations in dwellings.
|
|
Anisocoria
(Vet) |
A condition in which the pupils of the eyes
are not of equal size.
|
|
Annual
(Eco) |
Plant species that completes its life cycle
in one year.
|
|
Annual blood examination rate (ABER)
(Trop) |
Calculated as (number of slides
examined/population) x 100. WHO recommendation for malarious areas is
that the number of slides examined per month should equal at least 1% of
the population.
|
|
Annual parasite incidence (API)
(Trop) |
API = (confirmed cases during 1
year/population under surveillance) x 1000.
|
|
Annual Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses (ASOII)
(OH) |
Conducted by the Bureau of Labor Statistics
(BLS) on a national level; some employers are required to participate
and others do so voluntarily. |
|
Annulate
(Ento) |
Formed in ring-like segments or with
ring-like markings; usually referring to antennae.
|
|
Anopheles
(Trop) |
A mosquito genus in the subfamily Anophelinae.
Only certain species transmit human malaria and filariasis.
|
|
Anoplura
(Ento) |
An insect order, including the sucking lice.
They are external parasites that feed by sucking blood. They have a
flattened, wingless body, sucking mouthparts, and an incomplete
metamorphosis. |
|
Anorexia
(Vet) |
Loss of appetite.
|
|
Anoxic
(Eco) |
A condition where no oxygen is present. Much
of the anoxic zone is anaerobic, with absolutely no oxygen, a condition
in which toxic hydrogen sulfide gas is emitted in the decomposition
process.
|
|
ANSI
(OH) |
See American National Standards Institute.
|
|
Ant
(Ento) |
Any of various social insects of the family
Formicidae. Only the males and fertile females have wings. They are
living in colonies that have a complex social organization.
|
|
Antagonism
(Eco, Ento, Zoo) |
An ecological association between organisms
in which one or more of the participants is harmed or has its activities
limited.
|
|
Antagonist
(Eco, Ento, Zoo) |
An agent or substance that counteracts the
action of another.
|
|
Antagonistic effect
(PEH) |
A biologic response to exposure to multiple
substances that is less than would be expected if the known effects of
the individual substances were added together.
|
|
Antenatal
(Vet) |
The period between conception and birth. Same
as prenatal.
|
|
Antenna
(Ento) |
1) Pair of segmented appendages located on
the head and usually sensory in function - the 'feelers'. 2) A pair of
jointed appendages located on the head of an insect above the
mouthparts, which are usually used for smelling and feeling (touching),
and in some cases for hearing. |
|
Antennation
(Ento) |
Touching with the antenna.
|
|
Antenodal veins
(Ento) |
Small cross-veins at the front of the
dragonfly or damselfly wing, between the wing base and the nodus.
|
|
Anterior |
Positioned in front of another body part, or
towards the head of the animal. Opposite of posterior.
|
|
Anthelmintic
(Epi, Vet) |
Medication which kills certain types of
intestinal worms; dewormer.
|
|
Anthesis
(Eco) |
The period during which the flower is open.
|
|
Anthozoa
(Aqua, Eco) |
The taxonomic Class of animals, including sea
anemones, and hard and soft corals.
|
|
Anthracnose
(Eco) |
A plant disease having characteristic
lesions, necrosis and hypoplasia on stems, leaves and fruit. Anthracnose
is usually caused by certain imperfect fungi, e.g. Colletotrichum,
Gloeosporium, and Kabatiella.
|
|
Anthrax
(Trop) |
A zoonotic infection of humans contracted
from sheep, cows and similar animals and their products. Caused by
Bacillus anthracis, a spore-bearing Gram positive rod. Anthrax
includes a cutaneous form (malignant pustule), a pneumonic form
(Woolsorters’ disease) and intestinal anthrax. The form of the disease
depends largely of the site of entry. |
|
Anthropogenic
(Zoo) |
Of human origin.
|
|
Anthropomorphic
(Zoo) |
Regarding animals as possessing human
qualities
|
|
Anthropophagy
(Trop) |
The process of feeding on people. Similar to
anthropophilic. Anthropophilic species prefer to feed on people as
opposed to animals. |
|
Antibiosis
(Para) |
1) Any deleterious effect on insect survival
resulting from feeding on a resistant host. 2) An association between
two or more organisms that is detrimental to one or more of them.
|
|
Antibiotics
(Vet) |
1) Usually refers to drugs administered to
kill or inhibit the growth of bacteria; not effective against viral
infections. 2) Drugs used to treat infections caused by bacteria and
other microorganisms. Originally, an antibiotic was a substance produced
by one microorganism that selectively inhibits the growth of another.
Synthetic antibiotics, usually chemically related to natural
antibiotics, have since been produced that accomplish comparable tasks.
|
|
Antibodies |
An immunoglobulin or protein formed in the
body in response to a specific antigen or foreign protein such as
bacteria or viruses or venom. Their presence helps prevent symptoms or
disease processes on further exposures to the same antigen.
|
|
Antibody
(Epi, Trop, Vet, Zoo) |
A protein belonging to the class of proteins
called immunoglobulins. Antibodies are produced by plasma cells to
counteract specific antigens or foreign proteins (including infectious
agents like viruses, bacteria, etc... or venom). The antibodies then
combine with the antigen they are made to fight and often cause the
death of that infectious agent. Their presence helps prevent symptoms or
disease processes on further exposures to the same antigen.
|
|
Antibody titer
(Vet) |
A measurement of the amount of antibodies in
the blood. The test to measure antibodies is usually performed by making
a number of dilutions of the blood and then measuring at what dilution
there is sufficient antibody to react in the test. For example, a titer
of 1:8 (one to eight) means the blood can be diluted to one part blood
and seven parts saline and still produce a positive reaction in the
test. The higher the titer (1:16 is higher than 1:8), the more antibody
is present.
|
|
Anticholinergic
(Vet) |
Stopping the communications between certain
nerves and muscles of the body including those of the gastrointestinal
tract and heart. These nerves are called 'parasympathetic' nerves and do
such things as constrict the pupils of the eye, stimulate contractions
of the muscles in the intestine, and slow the heart rate.
Anticholinergic drugs would have the effect, then, of dilating the
pupil, slowing contractions of the intestines, and increasing the heart
rate.
|
|
Anticholinesterase
(Vet) |
A drug that blocks the enzyme
acetylcholinesterase; this results in stimulation of the parasympathetic
nervous system.
|
|
Anticoagulation
(Vet) |
Stopping the blood clotting process.
|
|
Anticoagulin
(Vet) |
A substance antagonistic to the coagulation
of blood.
|
|
Anticonvulsant
(Vet) |
A drug used to prevent or decrease the
severity of convulsions.
|
|
Antidiuretic hormone
(Vet) |
A hormone produced by the pituitary gland
that reduces the production of urine in the kidneys and therefore
prevents water loss Also called vasopressin.
|
|
Anti-drift agent
(Ento) |
A substance added to pesticides to reduce the
number of fine droplets produced at the spray nozzle.
|
|
Antiemetic
(Vet) |
An agent that decreases or stops vomiting.
|
|
Anti-feedant
(Ento) |
A substance that deters or inhibits feeding
by an insect but does not necessarily kill it.
|
|
Antifungal
(Eco) |
Drugs administered to kill or inhibit the
growth of fungi.
|
|
Antigen
(Epi, Trop, Vet) |
A molecular structure on surfaces of such
particles as bacteria and viruses. This structure is recognized by the
body as 'foreign' and stimulates the body to produce special proteins
called antibodies to inactivate this foreign invader. See also Antibody.
|
|
Anti-microbial
(Vet) |
A chemical substance that kills or inhibits
micro-organisms.
|
|
Antimycotic
(Vet) |
An antibiotic that kills fungi infecting an
animal.
|
|
Antiprotozoal
(Vet) |
An agent that kills protozoa, which are
one-celled organisms such as Giardia.
|
|
Antipruritic
(Vet) |
Relieves itching.
|
|
Antipyretic
(Vet) |
A substance used to relieve fever.
|
|
Antiseptic
(Vet) |
A substance which inhibits the growth of
bacteria, but does not kill them. |
|
Antiserum
(Trop, Vet) |
Blood serum that contains antibodies to known
antigens. An antiserum is an important agent in the diagnosis or
treatment of many diseases and important poisonings such as botulism.
They are often prepared from immunized rabbits, sheep, horses or goats.
|
|
Antispasmodic
(Vet) |
An agent that relieves or decreases spasms in
muscle. The muscle could include 'smooth muscle' which is the type of
muscle in intestines that causes them to contract and move food through
the digestive system.
|
|
Antitoxin
(Eco, Trop, Vet) |
A substance that blocks the action of a
toxin. Often it is an antiserum to the toxin.
|
|
Antitussive
(Vet) |
Cough suppressant.
|
|
Antivenin (aka, Antivenom)
(Aqua, Trop) |
Antibody mixtures produced by an animal after
exposure to small doses of injected venom that may be harmful to man. As
the doses are small, the injection is not lethal and antibodies are
formed. This resultant antibody mixture is then collected from the
animal's blood, purified, concentrated, and thus becomes an antivenin.
It can then be injected into humans to counteract symptoms (or death)
produced by the venom of the animal potentially lethal to humans. An
antivenin is specific for the venom against which it is prepared, and
does not neutralize other antivenins. A rare exception to this is Tiger
snake (Notechis scutatus) antivenin which can be used to
effectively counteract the venom of the sea snakes if specific sea snake
antivenin is not available.
|
|
Antiviral
(Eco) |
An agent that kills a virus or that
suppresses its ability to replicate and, hence, inhibits its capability
to multiply and reproduce.
|
|
Antlers
(Zoo) |
Antlers are found on members of the deer
family. They consist of bone and are shed each year. New antlers grow
each spring and are covered by skin (called velvet) which has blood
vessels that carry nutrients to the growing antler. In the fall of the
year the skin dies and is rubbed off on bushes and saplings. Antlers are
typically found only on males, except in the caribou.
|
|
Antlion
(Ento) |
A common name for a larva of the family
Myrmeleontidae. They dig cone-shaped pitfalls in the sand for trapping
ants.
|
|
Anura
(Zoo) |
Extant frogs.
|
|
Anuria
(Vet) |
The condition of complete failure in the
function of the kidneys such that no urine is produced.
|
|
Anus
(Vet) |
A muscular opening at the end of the
digestive tract where fecal waste is expelled.
|
|
AOE / COE
(OH) |
Arising Out of Employment / Course of
Employment; a term used in the workers’ compensation field. Claims are
only accepted for compensation or disability if the incident occurred
AOE/COE.
|
|
Aorta
(Vet) |
The anterior, non-chambered, narrow part of
the insect heart which opens into the head.
|
|
Apex
(Vet) |
Top. For example, the point where the costal
vein and the outer margin of the forewing meet.
|
|
Aphicide
(Ento) |
An insecticide especially effective against
aphids.
|
|
Aphid
(Ento) |
Insect belonging to the family Aphididae in
the order Hemiptera, suborder Homoptera. Sometimes referred to as plant
louse.
|
|
Aphididae
(Ento) |
Order Hemiptera, suborder Homoptera, soft
bodied insects feeding on plant sap, greenfly, and blackfly.
|
|
API
(Trop) |
The Annual Parasitic Index per 1000
population in obtained by dividing positive cases (x 1000) by total
population.
|
|
Apiary
(Ento) |
A place where bees are kept, normally a group
of hives.
|
|
Apical
(Ento) |
At or concerning the tip or furthest part of
any organ: apical cells, for example are at the wing-tip.
|
|
Apical area
(Ento) |
Of the forewing, the area just inside of and
contiguous with the apex. |
|
Apical complex
(Para) |
A complex set of organelles found at the
anterior end of the protozoans of the Phylum Apicomplexa. The apical
complex has a role in the penetration of host cells.
|
|
Apices
(Ento) |
See Apex.
|
|
Apicomplexa
(Trop) |
Sporozoan protozoa which have no organs of
locomotion. Includes the malaria parasites and Toxoplasma.
|
|
Apiculture
(Ento) |
Bee-keeping. Culture and care of bees.
|
|
Aplastic anemia
(Vet) |
A serious condition in which red blood cells,
white blood cells, and platelets are not produced in sufficient
quantity.
|
|
Apocrita
(Ento) |
Order Hymenoptera, ants bees, wasps.
|
|
Apodeme
(Ento) |
An invagination of the exoskeleton that
serves as a point of muscle attachment.
|
|
Apodous (Ento) |
Without legs.
|
|
Apolysis
(Ento) |
Retraction of the epidermal cells from the
inner surface of the endocuticle, the first step in molting.
|
|
Aposematic (Ento, Zoo) |
A color form or behavior which serves as a
warning of distaste or danger, such as the yellow and black of a wasp.
|
|
Aposematism
(Ento, Zoo) |
Possession of vivid coloration that
identifies an animal as having distasteful or unpleasant properties.
|
|
Aposomatic coloration (Ento, Zoo) |
Warning coloration in which conspicuous
markings on an animal serve to discourage potential predators. Common
in the dendrobatid frogs, salamanders and newts, and coral snakes.
|
|
Appendage
(Vet) |
Any limb or other organ, such as an antenna,
which is attached to the body by a joint.
|
|
Appendicular Ataxia
(Prd) |
Lack of coordination in a limb.
|
|
Appendix
(Ento) |
Short vein, especially seen as a short
continuation after a main vein has changed direction.
|
|
Appetitive behavior
(Ento) |
Searching behavior of variable pattern,
seeking an appropriate stimulus. |
|
Apportionment
(OH) |
A way of figuring out how much permanent
disability is due to a worker. |
|
Apposition eye
(Ento) |
A type of compound eye occurring in diurnal
insects, in which each ommatidium is surrounded by a shield of pigment.
|
|
Apterae
(Ento) |
Wingless forms.
|
|
Apterous
(Ento) |
Without wings. Wingless.
|
|
Apterygota
(Ento) |
Subclass of the insects including the most
primitive orders with no metamorphosis. Except for the size, all larval
stages closely resemble the adults (which are wingless).
|
|
Apterygote
(Ento) |
Any of the primitive insects which have never
developed wings during their history.
|
|
Aquaculture
(Eco) |
The farming of plants and animals that live
in water, i.e. shellfish, fish, algae.
|
|
Aquarist
(Aqua) |
A person who keeps or maintains an aquarium.
|
|
Aquarium trade
(Aqua) |
The selling of aquatic life for public or
private display.
|
|
Aquaterrarium
(Zoo) |
Housing which includes an area of dry land
and an expanse of water for swimming.
|
|
Aquatic
(Aqua) |
Growing or living in, or frequenting water.
|
|
Aquatic
(Eco, Ento, Zoo) |
Living in water.
|
|
Aquatic reefs
(Eco) |
An aquatic reef is a solid, three
dimensional, highly structured ecological community, with oysters as its
dominant species which provides vital habitat for Bay species such as
finfish, shellfish and crabs. They consist of densely packed individual
oysters that grow upward and outward creating a hard surface over many
acres of bay bottom and three-dimensional habitat.
|
|
Aqueous humor
(Vet) |
The fluid found within the eyeball which
provides nourishment to the interior eye structures and keeps the
eyeball inflated.
|
|
Aquifer
(Eco) |
An underground source of water. This water
may be contained in a layer of rock, sand or gravel.
|
|
Arachnid
(Zoo) |
A group of invertebrates which includes
spiders, scorpions, mites and ticks. Arachnids have four pairs of legs
and simple eyes.
|
|
Arachnid vectors
(Epi) |
Members of the class Arachnida, especially
spiders, scorpions, mites, and ticks, which transmit infective organisms
from one host to another or from an inanimate reservoir to an animate
host.
|
|
Arachnida
(Ento) |
Class within the phylum Arthropoda. It
includes a numbers of orders such as spiders, mites, and ticks.
|
|
Arachnologist
(Ento) |
A person who studies the life cycles,
behavior, ecology, or diversity of arachnids (spider and their
relatives) as their work or hobby.
|
|
Arachnology
(Ento) |
The study of arachnids and their relatives,
their life cycles, behavior, ecology, diversity and control.
|
|
Arachnophobia
(Vet) |
The irrational fear of arachnids, most
commonly spiders.
|
|
Aradidae
(Ento) |
Order Hemiptera, barkbugs, most feed on fungi
under the bark of dead trees.
|
|
Araneae
(Ento) |
An order belonging to the class Arachnida,
comprised of the spiders. They are characterized by two body parts
(cephalothorax and abdomen), eight legs, and a pair of fangs
(chelicerae).
|
|
Araneida
(Ento) |
An order of the class Arachnida, comprised of
the spiders, characterized by two body parts (cephalothorax and
abdomen), eight legs, and a pair of fangs (chelicerae).
|
|
Arboreal
(Ento, Zoo) |
A creature which spends most of its time in
trees or bushes.
|
|
Arbovirus
(Epi) |
A virus which uses Arthropods as vectors and
is transmitted in their saliva to the definitive host. For example,
yellow fever.
|
|
Arch
(Zoo) |
A bridge of bone in the skull, such as
zygomatic arch.
|
|
Arciferal pectoral girdle
(Zoo) |
Ancestral condition in Anurans where the
midventral bones or cartilage of the pectoral girdle overlap.
|
|
Arcuate curved
(Ento) |
Arched like a bow.
|
|
Area under curve (AUC)
(Stat) |
A statistical means of summarizing
information from a series of measurements on one individual. It is
frequently used in clinical pharmacology where the AUC from serum levels
can be interpreted as the total uptake of whatever has been
administered. As a plot of the concentration of a drug against time,
after a single dose of medicine, producing a standard shape curve, it is
a means of comparing the bioavailability of the same drug made by
different companies.
|
|
Areolate
(Ento) |
Division of an area into smaller
areas-areolae-by lines or cracks such as a insects wing.
|
|
Argasid
(Trop) |
The soft ticks or tampans. Vectors of Endemic
relapsing fever.
|
|
Arista
(Ento) |
A large bristle-like outgrowth located on the
dorsal side of the last (third) antennal segment in the insect order
Diptera.
|
|
Aristate
(Ento) |
Bearing arista.
|
|
ARM
(OH) |
See Associate in Risk Management.
|
|
Arolium
(Ento) |
A padlike lobe projection between the tarsal
claws of many insects. Usually very small, but well developed in
grasshoppers and some other insects.
|
|
Arrested development
(Para) |
See hypobiosis.
|
|
Arrhenoyoky
(Ento) |
The production of males from unfertilized
eggs.
|
|
Arrhythmia
(Vet) |
A variation from normal heart rhythm.
|
|
Artemether
(Trop) |
Also called Arteether and more soluble forms
called Artesunate. An antimalarial drug derived from artemisinin.
Artemisinin is produced from the Chinese herbal drug Qinghaosu. It is
used for rapid clearance of susceptible peripheral parasites, especially
in the treatment of severe malaria, due to Plasmodium falciparum.
|
|
Arteries
(Vet) |
Thick walled vessels that carry blood away
from the heart to the lungs and body tissues; the pulmonary arteries
carry deoxygenated blood to the lungs, but all other arteries carry
oxygenated blood.
|
|
Arthralgia
(Vet) |
Pain in the joints.
|
|
Arthritis
(Vet) |
Inflammation and swelling in the joints; has
multiple causes including lameness.
|
|
Arthropod
(Eco) |
A large group of invertebrate animals with
jointed legs, including the insects, scorpions, crustaceans and spiders.
|
|
Arthropod vectors
(Stat) |
Arthropods, other than insects and arachnids,
which transmit infective organisms from one host to another or from an
inanimate reservoir to an animate host.
|
|
Arthropod (Eco, End, Para) |
Organisms which are characterized by having a
number of jointed legs, numerous body segments which may be fused or
unfused and a hard outer covering or exoskeleton made of chitin. Phylum
Arthropoda contains the following Classes: Insecta (insects), Arachnida
(spiders, mites, ticks, scorpions, etc), Chilopoda (centipedes),
Diplopoda (millipedes), and Crustacea (crabs, shrimp, lobsters, water
fleas). Related groups include the Onychophora (Peripatus, etc), the
Tardigrades (water bears, etc), and the Pentastomids (tongue worms).
|
|
Arthropoda
(Ento) |
A phylum within the animal kingdom. It
includes Crayfish, Millipedes, Centipedes, Spiders, and Insects.
Arthropoda have a segmented body with a hard outer skeleton
(exoskeleton). Usually the segments are grouped in two or three body
regions. The body has a bilateral symmetry and it has paired segmented
appendages.
|
|
Arthrospore
(Eco) |
Spores generated by some fungi that look like
they come from structures with many joints.
|
|
Articular
(Vet) |
Pertaining to a joint.
|
|
Artifactual (spurious) association
(Epi) |
A false association that occurs by chance or
through bias.
|
|
Artificial reef
(Eco) |
A structure aggregated from material designed
to attract living aquatic organisms.
|
|
ASBREM
(HS) |
Armed Services Biomedical Research Evaluation
and Management.
|
|
Ascarid
(Vet) |
Roundworm.
|
|
Ascaris
(Trop) |
A genus of nematodes which includes the
intestinal roundworm of humans, Ascaris lumbricoides.
|
|
Ascites
(Trop, Vet) |
An accumulation of a serous effusion in the
abdominal cavity seen in a number of conditions such as cirrhosis and
schistosomiasis.
|
|
Ascomycete
(Eco) |
One of the major groups of fungi including
some that are pathogens of man, animals, and crops. They are
characterized by the formation of an ascus or sac that carries spores
arising from sexual reproduction. They also produce spores called
conidia that are not the result of sexual processes and that are
important in their spread. They are easily spread by light winds or
rain. Ascomycetes also include brewers and bakers yeasts and a number of
other food organisms.
|
|
Asepsis
(Trop) |
Absence of septic matter, or freedom from
infection. The prevention of the access of microorganisms.
|
|
Aseptic
(Trop, Vet) |
The absence of infection. Some conditions do
not show signs indicating an obvious infection and are described as
aseptic. The term can also refer to conditions, an operating room should
be free of microorganisms and surgery can then be performed aseptically.
|
|
Aseptic meningitis
(Vet) |
A meningitis or inflammation of the
protective layer of the brain that does not appear to arise from
infection.
|
|
Aseptic technique
(Trop) |
Not septic; free from septic material
technique.
|
|
Asexual reproduction
(Aqua) |
Reproduction whereby new individuals are
derived from a single parent without the production of gametes or
reproductive structures.
|
|
Asexual reproduction
(Vet) |
Reproduction without the formation and fusion
of gametes, usually male and female. Formation of new individuals by any
nonsexual means, e.g. binary fission, budding, or schizogony.
|
|
Ashdown's medium
(Trop) |
A differential selective culture medium for
Burkholderia pseudomallei, devised by Dr Lesley Richard Ashdown
(1943-93), Townsville, Australia. B. pseudomallei grow as
distinctive purple rugose colonies on this medium.
|
|
ASIS
(OH) |
See American Society of Industrial
Security.
|
|
ASOII
(OH) |
See Annual Survey of Occupational Injuries
and Illnesses.
|
|
Aspergillosis
(Trop) |
Infection caused by the opportunistic
saprophytic fungus, Aspergillus. Can include the effects of
aflatoxin which is formed by the fungi growing on moldy foods such as
peanuts and which can be associated with cancer of the liver.
|
|
Asphyxia
(Vet) |
Two things happen in asphyxia or
asphyxiation. One is that there is less oxygen available to the body
than needed. This sounds a lot like choking, but asphyxia is
characterized by an increase in the availability of other gases,
typically carbon dioxide, that displace oxygen leading to
unconsciousness or death.
|
|
Aspirate
(Vet) |
Withdraw fluid or cells through the use of
suction - usually the suction produced by pulling back on the plunger of
a syringe attached to a needle which is inserted into the area to be
sampled. Also the breathing in of a fluid or foreign substances.
|
|
Aspirator
(Ento) |
A simple suction device for picking up small
insects, make out of a small bottle, a cork, and two pieces of tubing.
|
|
Assassin bug
(Ento) |
General name of bugs belonging to the family
Reduviidae.
|
|
ASSE
(OH) |
See American Society of Safety Engineers.
|
|
Assessment
(Stat) |
A process of evaluating options which enables
informed choices to be made between alternatives.
|
|
Associate in Risk Management (ARM)
(OH) |
A professional designation offered by the
Insurance Institute of America.
|
|
Association
(Stat) |
Two variables are associated if some of the
variability of one can be accounted for by the other. In a scatterplot
of the two variables, if the scatter in the values of the variable
plotted on the vertical axis is smaller in narrow ranges of the variable
plotted on the horizontal axis (i.e., in vertical "slices") than
it is overall, the two variables are associated. The correlation
coefficient is a measure of linear association, which is a special case
of association in which large values of one variable tend to occur with
large values of the other, and small values of one tend to occur with
small values of the other (positive association), or in which large
values of one tend to occur with small values of the other, and vice
versa (negative association).
|
|
Associative learning
(Ento) |
Acquisition of the capacity to associate a
stimulus with a reward or punishment.
|
|
Astelocyttarus
(Ento) |
Pertaining to nests, normally those of
social wasps, in which the come is attached directly to the support.
|
|
Aster yellows
(Ento) |
A virus disease of many kinds of plants
transmitted by the six spotted leaf hopper and characterized by stunting
of plants, sterility, and chlorosis in foliage.
|
|
Asymmetrical
(Ento) |
Organs or body parts not alike on either side
of a dividing line or plane.
|
|
Asymmetrical warfare
(HS) |
In the realm of military affairs and national
security, asymmetry is acting, organizing, and thinking differently than
opponents in order to maximize one’s own advantages, exploit an
opponent’s weaknesses, attain the initiative, or gain greater freedom of
action. It can be political-strategic, military-strategic, operational,
or a combination of these. It can entail different methods,
technologies, values, organizations, time perspectives, or some
combination of these. It can be short-term or long-term. It can be
deliberate or by default. It can be discrete or pursued in conjunction
with symmetric approaches. It can have both psychological and physical
dimensions.
|
|
Asymptomatic
(Trop, Vet) |
A term used to decide a condition in which no
symptoms are present. |
|
Asynchronous flight muscles
(Ento) |
Flight muscles in which contraction is not
synchronized with the reception of nervous stimuli.
|
|
Asystole
(Trop) |
Absence of visible contraction of the heart,
and consequent circulation of the blood, resulting rapidly in death.
This may occur after envenomation. |
|
Ataxia
(Vet, PrD) |
1) Shaky movements, wobbliness, unsteady walk
and clumsiness usually caused by damage to the cerebellum, a part of the
brain which controls movement. 2) Failure of muscular coordination.
Affected patients have coordination, postural and balance problems early
in the disease process and as the disease progresses, severe ataxia
leads to loss of ability to walk.
|
|
Atmospheric deposition
(Eco) |
When the air pollution hits the earth
surface. Air pollution washed out of the sky by rain or snow is called
"wet deposition." When air pollution deposits without benefit of rain
its called "dry deposition."
|
|
ATNAA
(HS) |
Antidote Treatment Nerve Agent
Auto-Injector. Atropine and pralixdoxime chloride injection.
|
|
Atoll
(Vet) |
A coral island consisting of a reef
surrounding a lagoon.
|
|
Atom
(HS) |
The smallest part of an element, comprising a
nucleus of protons and neutrons surrounded by electrons orbiting the
nucleus.
|
|
Atopy
(Vet) |
An allergy to something that is inhaled such
as pollen or house dust. Also called inhalant allergy.
|
|
ATP
(Vet) |
Adenosine triphosphate; a compound used for
energy by cells.
|
|
Atrax
(Trop) |
A genus of spiders which includes the
australian funnel web spiders.
|
|
Atrial fibrillation
(Vet) |
A heart condition in which the atria
(chambers of the heart that receive the blood) contract rapidly,
irregularly, and independently of the ventricles (the chambers of the
heart that pump the blood). This greatly decreases the efficiency of the
heart and its ability to move blood. |
|
Atrial flutter
(Vet) |
A heart condition in which the atria
(chambers of the heart that receive the blood) contract rapidly,
irregularly, and independently of the ventricles (the chambers of the
heart that pump the blood). This greatly decreases the efficiency of the
heart and its ability to move blood.
|
|
Atrium
(Ento) |
Any chamber just inside a body opening, such
as within a spiracle.
|
|
Atrium
(Vet) |
The two chambers of the heart that receive
blood. The right atrium receives blood from the body. The left atrium
receives oxygenated blood from the lungs.
|
|
Atrophied
(Ento) |
Shrunken or reduced in size.
|
|
Atrophy
(Vet) |
An abnormal decrease in size of an organ or
tissue.
|
|
Attenuated
(Trop, Vet) |
Weakened. An attenuated virus is one which
has been changed such that it will no longer cause disease. An
attenuated virus would be used in a modified live vaccine.
|
|
Attini
(Ento) |
Foliage cutting ants which feed on fungi
grown on cut foliage.
|
|
Attractants
(Ento) |
Substances which elicit a positive
directional response; chemicals having positive attraction for animals
such as insects, usually in low concentration and at considerable
distances.
|
|
Attributable fraction
(Epi) |
The same as etiological fraction.
|
|
Atypical mycobacteria
(Trop) |
A group of mycobacteria which differ in their
growth characteristics from Mycobacterium tuberculosis but which
they resemble in being acid-fast. The atypical mycobacteria are also
known as the Potentially Pathogenic Environmental Mycobacteria
(P.P.E.M.). They can cause a spectrum of human disease which in some
cases can resemble tuberculosis. Mostly they cause disease in
immunologically compromised humans such as those suffering from AIDS.
|
|
AUIB
(HS) |
Aircrew Uniform Integrated Battlefield
(protective overgarment).
|
|
Auscultate
(Vet) |
To listen for sounds produced within the
body, usually with the aid of a stethoscope.
|
|
Australian encephalitis
(Trop)
|
An arboviral disease in Australia transmitted
by mosquitoes. |
|
Autochthonous
(Trop)
|
Locally transmitted by mosquitoes.
Differentiated from imported, congenital, or blood-borne malaria.
|
|
Autocidal control
(Ento) |
The use of insects for self-destruction,
chiefly by release of sterile individuals.
|
|
Autoclave
(HS) |
A vessel for treating materials with
superheated steam under pressure to kill microorganisms in the material.
A domestic pressure cooker can be used to autoclave small quantities of
material.
|
|
Autoecious (also monoecious or monoxenous)
(Para) |
Applied to a parasitic organism that can
complete its life cycle in a single host species.
|
|
Autogenous
(Ento) |
In blood-feeding insects, the ability to
produce eggs without taking blood. |
|
Autoimmune
(Vet) |
A condition in which the immune system
attacks the body's own tissues. To properly function, the immune system
must identify foreign substances such as bacteria, viruses, parasites,
slivers, etc., and it must be able to distinguish normal body tissue
from these foreign substances. If it fails to distinguish the
difference, it attempts to destroy the tissue it wrongly identifies as
foreign. For example, in autoimmune hemolytic anemia, the body destroys
its own red blood cells. In rheumatoid arthritis it attacks the cells in
the joints.
|
|
Autoinfection
(Para, Trop) |
Reinfection by a parasite derived from within
the host and which is not exposed to the outside environment.
|
|
Autonomic Nervous System
(Vet) |
The part of the nervous system that operates
autonomously, that is, without regulation from an external agent. It
regulates involuntary actions such as the beating of the heart and the
rhythmic contraction of the intestines.
|
|
Autosomal
(PrD) |
Refers to any of the chromosomes other than
the sex-determining chromosomes (i.e., the X and Y) or the genes on
these chromosomes. |
|
Autosomal dominant
(PrD) |
A gene on one of the non-sex chromosomes that
is always expressed, even if only one copy is present. Describes a
trait or disorder in which the phenotype is expressed in those who have
inherited only one copy of a particular gene mutation (heterozygotes);
specifically refers to a gene on one of the 22 pairs of autosomes
(non-sex chromosomes).
|
|
Autotomy
(Zoo) |
The ability of certain lower animals, such as
lizards and starfish, to cast off injured body parts, such as the tail
and, usually, to regenerate new ones.
|
|
Autotomy plane
(Zoo) |
The zone or septum of soft tissue which
passes through a caudal vertebrae, along which breakage takes place in
autotomy.
|
|
Autotroph
(Eco) |
Any organism that is able to manufacture its
own food. Most plants are autotrophs, as are many protists and bacteria.
Autotrophs may be photoautotrophic, using light energy to manufacture
food, or chemoautotrophic, using chemical energy.
|
|
AVAD
(HS) |
Automatic Vapor Agent Detector.
|
|
Average
(Stat) |
Average usually denotes the arithmetic mean,
but it can also denote the median, the mode, the geometric mean, and
weighted means, among other things.
|
|
Average incidence density
(Trop) |
The ratio of the number of new cases of the
disease and the amount of population-time of follow-up (e.g.
person-year) of the disease-free population.
|
|
Axilla
(Vet) |
Armpit.
|
|
Axillary sclerite
(Ento) |
A small sclerite at the wing base,
articulating with the thorax.
|
|
Axioms of probability
(Stat) |
There are three axioms of probability: (1)
Chances are always at least zero. (2) The chance that something happens
is 100%. (3) If two events cannot both occur at the same time (if they
are disjoint or mutually exclusive), the chance that either one occurs
is the sum of the chances that each occurs. For example, consider an
experiment that consists of tossing a coin once. The first axiom says
that the chance that the coin lands heads, for instance, must be at
least zero. The second axiom says that the chance that the coin either
lands heads or lands tails or lands on its edge or doesn't land at all
is 100%. The third axiom says that the chance that the coin either lands
heads or lands tails is the sum of the chance that the coin lands heads
and the chance that the coin lands tails, because both cannot occur in
the same coin toss. All other mathematical facts about probability can
be derived from these three axioms. For example, it is true that the
chance that an event does not occur is (100% - the chance that the event
occurs). This is a consequence of the second and third axioms.
|
|
Axon
(Vet) |
The process of a nerve cell that conducts
impulses away from the cell body.
|
|
Axoneme (rhizoplast)
(Para) |
In flagellates, an internal fibril arising
from a blepharoplast and passing through the cytoplasm. An axoneme may
leave the body of the flagellate with a small sheath of cytoplasm to
become a flagellum or run along the surface of the body lifting the
periplast (cell membrane) to form an undulating membrane.
|
|
Axostyle
(Para) |
A rod-like structure that gives rigidity to
the bodies of some flagellates. |
|
Azadirachtin
(Eco) |
Azadirachtin is one of the active ingredients
in pesticides that are produced from the neem tree. It acts as a
powerful insect antifeedant and growth regulator.
|
|
Azotemia
(Vet) |
The presence of increased nitrogenous waste
products in the blood as a result of kidney malfunction.
|
|
B |
Top |
|
B cell
(Epi, Trop, Vet) |
The type of lymphocyte which produces
antibody. A white blood cell which produces antibody. Also called B
lymphocyte. Compare with 'T cells.'
|
|
Bachelor
(Ento, Zoo) |
An unmated male.
|
|
Bacilluria (Vet) |
Having bacteria in the urine.
|
|
Bacillus
(Ento) |
A rod-shaped bacterium.
|
|
Bacillus cereus
(Trop) |
A Gram positive saprophytic rod which grows
on parboiled unrefrigerated rice and other food. It produces potent
exotoxins which can cause food poisoning – especially in Chinese and
other restaurants specializing in rice dishes. Food poisoning from this
organism can cause an emetic syndrome (associated with vomiting) or a
diarrheal syndrome.
|
|
Bacillus thuringiensis
(Ento) |
A spore forming bacterium which can be used
to control certain insect pests especially caterpillars.
|
|
Background level
(PEH) |
An average or expected amount of a substance
or radioactive material in a specific environment, or typical amounts of
substances that occur naturally in an environment.
|
|
Backwater
(Eco) |
A still body of water or a still portion of a
larger body of water, unaffected by the flow of the larger body of
water. An example would be a small stagnant branch of a river.
|
|
Bacteraemia
(Epi, Trop) |
Presence of bacteria in the blood stream
without multiplication.
|
|
Bacteria
(Trop) |
Single or multicellular organisms belonging
to Kingdom Prokaryotae. These organisms are often coccoid or rod- shaped
but can also be curved, pleomorphic or spiral. They can be Gram
positive, Gram negative or Gram variable.
|
|
Bacterial (Trop) |
Of or pertaining to bacteria. For example, a
bacterial lung infection.
|
|
Bactericide
(Trop) |
A substance that is toxic to bacteria.
|
|
Bacteriocidal
(Vet) |
A description of an agent that kills
bacteria.
|
|
Bacteriophage
(Trop) |
A virus which parasitizes a bacterium; a
bacterial virus.
|
|
Bacteriostatic
(Vet) |
A description of an agent that stops the
growth (reproduction) of bacteria, but does NOT kill them.
|
|
Bacterium
(Ento, Vet) |
1) Microscopic organisms that lack nuclei and
other organelles; pathogenic species cause disease, while nonpathogenic
species are harmless. 2) Bacteria in the blood.
|
|
BADS
(HS) |
Biological Agent Detection System.
|
|
Bait
(Ento, Zoo) |
A formulation, including attractants,
toxicants, and/or mechanical devices used as a lure for killing pests.
Usually poisoned foodstuff used to attract and kill insects or rodents.
|
|
BAL
(HS) |
British anti-Lewisite. An evil-smelling
organic sulfur compound that is used to treat exposure to Lewisite and
related blister agents.It may also be used in the treatment of arsenic
poisoning.
|
|
Balance
(Stat) |
The condition in a study in which all
subgroups being analyzed have equal numbers of patients.
|
|
Balancers
(Zoo) |
Lateral appendages on the heads of some
larval salamanders.
|
|
Balantidium coli
(Trop) |
A ciliate protozoan of pigs which can infect
humans causing balantidial dysentery.
|
|
Ballast water
(Aqua) |
Water carried in special tanks (ballast
tanks) of ships used to provide stability needed when carrying less than
a full load of cargo and to keep the ship at the proper depth in the
water. When the ship is loaded with cargo, the ballast water is released
to surrounding waters; when the ship is empty, it takes on more water to
keep it upright. Some vessels use sand as ballast rather than water.
|
|
Ballooning
(Ento) |
A method of airborne transportation used by
small caterpillars and spiders; by producing lots of short silk threads
they are able to float in the air.
|
|
Barmah forest virus
(Trop) |
A mosquito-borne arbovirus causing symptoms
similar to Ross River virus infection in Australia. See also Ross River
virus.
|
|
Bartonella
(Trop) |
A genus of small Gram negative bacilli.
Includes the agents for Bartonellosis (Carrion’s Disease) caused by
B. bacilliformis in South America. Other species include B.
henselae, the cause of Cat Scratch Fever and B. quintana, the
cause of Trench Fever.
|
|
Basal
(Ento) |
Concerning the base of a structure - that
part nearest the body. Basal cells in Diptera are generally small cells
near the base of the wing. |
|
Basal cell carcinoma
(Trop) |
A generally slow growing malignant epithelial
tumor, which has potential to invade and metastasize, especially if
untreated.
|
|
Basal granule
(Para) |
In ciliates, the granule-like body from which
each cilium arises. Comparable to the blepharoplast from which a
flagellum arises.
|
|
Basal lamina
(Ento) |
One of two layers that form the basement
membrane, an amorphous sheet which underlies epithelial cells.
|
|
Basalare
(Ento) |
A small sclerite in the upper part of the
pleuron that articulates with the axillary sclerites.
|
|
Baseflow
(Eco) |
Stream or river flows consisting entirely of
groundwater contributions. |
|
Baseline
(Eco) |
The numeric level of nutrient load at a
particular point in time that serves to establish nurtient reduction
goals and allowances.
|
|
Basement membrane
(Ento) |
A noncellular sheath separating the epidermal
cells from the hemolymph. |
|
Basic reproductive rate, ratio
(Epi) |
See Reproductive Ratio.
|
|
Basidiomycete
(Eco) |
One of the major groups of fungi including
mushrooms, toadstools, rusts and smuts. They are differentiated from the
ascomycetes by their sexual structures which are club shaped and expose
the sexual spores. The rusts and smuts are plant pathogens and include
some that may be used as anti-crop weapons. Most edible fungi are
basidiomycetes.
|
|
Basitarsus
(Ento) |
First and usually the largest segment of the
tarsus.
|
|
Basking
(Zoo) |
Resting in the direct rays of the sun.
|
|
Basking light
(Zoo) |
A light or overhead heating element that
produces an area of higher heat in an enclosure required by the reptile
for digestion.
|
|
Bat
(Trop, Zoo) |
Winged mammals which can be associated with
the transmission of rabies, Lyssavirus and Australian Bat Morbillivirus
infections to humans. Most species are insectivorous or fruit-eaters,
but the vampire bats of Latin America feed on mammalian blood.
|
|
Batesian mimicry
(Ento, Zoo) |
Resemblance of a palatable species to one
that is unpalatable or has effective defenses.
|
|
Bathymetry
(Eco) |
The physical characteristics, including
depth, contour, and shape of the bottom of a body of water.
|
|
Batumen
(Ento) |
A protective layer of propilis or hard
cerumen that encloses the nest cavity of a stingless bee colony.
|
|
Bay Scapes
(Eco) |
Environmentally-sound landscapes benefiting
people, wildlife, and the Chesapeake Bay. They are low-input landscapes,
requiring less mowing, less fertilizing, and less pesticide use. They
help to protect the water quality in our streams, rivers, and the
Chesapeake Bay. Along with reducing pollution, BayScapes provide diverse
habitats for songbirds, small mammals, butterflies, and other creatures.
|
|
BCG (Bacillus Calmette-Guęrin)
(Trop) |
A live attenuated vaccine used in
tuberculosis.
|
|
BD
(HS) |
Biological Defense, Biological Detector.
|
|
BDA
(HS) |
Bilateral Destruction Agreement, Bomb Damage
Assessment.
|
|
BDO
(HS) |
Battledress overgarment.
|
|
BDWS
(HS) |
Biological Detector and Warning System.
|
|
Beak
(Ento) |
Proboscis. The long, protruding mouthpart
structures of an insect with piercing-sucking mouthparts. This type of
mouthparts can be found in the suborders Heteroptera (true bugs) and
Homoptera (cicadas and others).
|
|
Beak
(Zoo) |
Hard or bony mouthparts on chelonians and
some tadpoles.
|
|
Beating sheet
(Ento) |
A piece of cloth used to catch insects shaken
from a tree branch.
|
|
Becquerel (Bq)
(HS) |
The International System unit used to measure
the radioactivity of a radioactive source. 1 Bq = 1 nuclear
disintegration per second. The unit is named after the French physicist
A-H. Becquerel.
|
|
Bedbugs
(Ento, Trop) |
Blood sucking hemipterans belonging to the
genus Cimex. Not important in the transmission of disease but can
cause irritating allergic response to their saliva.
|
|
Bedrock
(Eco) |
The solid rock underneath surface soils.
|
|
Bee
(Ento) |
Any of several insects of the superfamily
Apoidea. Bees are winged, hairy-bodied, usually stinging insects,
including both solitary and social species. They are characterized by
sucking and chewing mouthparts for gathering nectar and pollen.
|
|
Bee milk
(Ento) |
A secretion produced by the glands in the
heads of workers who are less than 18 days old. These young workers eat
large amounts of pollen which is the main source of the milk.
|
|
Bee-flies
(Ento) |
Common name for Bombyliidae.
|
|
Beekeeper
(Ento) |
A person who tends bees and uses them to
pollinate crops and to produce honey and beeswax.
|
|
Beetle
(Ento) |
Any of numerous insects of the order
Coleoptera. Beetles have biting mouthparts. Their forewings are modified
to form a strong covering that protects the underlying membranous hind
wings when at rest.
|
|
Behavior
(Para) |
The branch of science that deals with the way
a species reacts or responds to a variety of stimuli.
|
|
Beneficial insects
(Ento) |
Insect that serves the interest of man. For
example insect pest predators and parasitoids that help to keep pest
populations under control. Also bees and other pollinating insects are
beneficial insects.
|
|
Benign
(Trop, Vet) |
A mild illness or non-malignant form of a
tumor. Benign tumors usually have well defined edges and tend to grow
slowly.
|
|
Benthic
(Aqua) |
Bottom-dwelling, living on the seabed.
|
|
Benthic macroinvertebrates
(Eco) |
Macroinvertebrates are large, generally
soft-bodied organisms that lack backbones. Benthic macroinvertebrates
live in or on the bottom sediment in aquatic environments.
|
|
Benthos
(Eco) |
A group of organisms, most often
invertebrates, which live in or on the bottom in aquatic habitats (such
as clams that live in the sediments) which are typically immotile or of
limited motility or range.
|
|
Benzene hexachloride
(Ento) |
BHC. A synthetic insecticide, a chlorinated
hydrocarbon, 1,2,3,4,5,6-hexachlorocvclohexane of mixed isomers;
slightly more toxic to mammals than DDT, acute oral LD51 for rats about
200 mg/kg; phytotoxicity: more toxic than DDT, interferes with
germination, suppresses growth and reduces yields except at low
concentration; certain crop plants, as potato absorb crude BHC with
consequent tainting of tubers.
|
|
Berlese funnel
(Ento) |
An insect collecting device that consists of
a large funnel containing a piece of screen, with a container below it;
materials, such as leaf litter, soil, or rotting wood, is placed in the
funnel and heat from a light placed above the funnel forces the hidden
insects down the funnel into the container.
|
|
Best management practices (BMP)
(Eco) |
A practice or combination of practices that
provide the most effective and practicable means of controlling point
and nonpoint pollutants at levels compatible with environmental quality
goals.
|
|
Beta (β) particle
(HS) |
A charged particle consisting of a positive
or negative electron, emitted by a radioactive element. Beta particles
can travel farther than alpha particles, and can penetrate about 2 cm.
into human skin. Shielding from beta particles requires material of the
thickness and density of a piece of plywood.
|
|
Beta blockers
(Vet) |
Heart medications which block certain
receptors in the heart called beta receptors. The beta receptors receive
signals which generally increase the heart rate. If the heart rate is
abnormally fast and uneven, beta blockers will help stabilize the rate
and rhythm of contractions.
|
|
Beta lactams
(Trop) |
Antibiotics with a beta-lactam ring in their
molecular structure, including the penicillins and the cephalosporins.
Act on penicillin binding proteins in the mucopeptides of the bacterial
cell wall. Can be destroyed by bacterial beta-lactamases.
|
|
Beta-carotene
(Vet) |
A plant pigment which can be converted to
Vitamin A by many animals, but not by cats.
|
|
Beta-lactamases
(Vet) |
Enzymes produced by some bacteria which
inactivate certain types of penicillin, thus making the bacteria
resistant to them.
|
|
Betelnut
(Trop) |
An areca-nut chewed in India, south east Asia
and the Pacific, including Papua New Guinea, as a stimulant. Betelnut
can have side effects such a staining of teeth and is possibly
carcinogenic.
|
|
Bias
(Stat) |
A measurement procedure or estimator is said
to be biased if, on the average, it gives an answer that differs from
the truth. The bias is the average (expected) difference between the
measurement and the truth. For example, if you get on the scale with
clothes on, that biases the measurement to be larger than your true
weight (this would be a positive bias). The design of an experiment or
of a survey can also lead to bias. Bias can be deliberate, but it is not
necessarily so.
|
|
Bib
(Zoo) |
A patch of colored feathers under the chin of
a bird.
|
|
Bibionidae
(Ento) |
Fever flies, March flies. Order Diptera.
|
|
BIDE
(Epi) |
Birth, Immigration, Death, Emigration: the
four demographic processes which might act on a population compartment
in a typical compartmental model.
|
|
BIDS
(HS) |
Biological Integrated Detection System.
|
|
Biennial reproduction (Zoo) |
Having a two-year reproductive cycle.
|
|
Bifid
(Vet) |
Split in two.
|
|
Bifurcated
(Zoo) |
Notched in two, such as a snake's tongue.
Iguana tongues have a small, deep pink notch in the tip, often only
visible once the iguana has reached a year or so of age.
|
|
Biguanides
(Trop) |
Group of antimalarial drugs which includes
Proguanil (Paludrine) used for malaria prophylaxis.
|
|
Bilateral
(Vet) |
On both sides.
|
|
Bilateral symmetry
(Eco, Ento, Vet, Zoo) |
A body design found in most animals in which
if an imaginary plane divided the body into left and right halves, each
side would be a mirror image of the other.
|
|
Bile
(Vet) |
A liquid produced by the liver, stored in the
gall bladder, and dispensed into the small intestine as needed; aids in
the digestion and absorption of fats.
|
|
Bile acids
(Vet) |
Certain compounds produced by the liver,
bound to amino acids, and excreted in the bile to aid in the digestion
of fats.
|
|
Bilge
(Aqua) |
Another term for ballast water.
|
|
Bilharzia
(Trop) |
Schistosomiasis; a diseases caused by a
parasitic trematode and acquired by contact with water infected with
cercariae shed by the snail intermediate host.
|
|
Bilirubin
(Vet) |
An orange-yellow pigment in bile that is a
product of red blood cell breakdown; it is normally excreted with the
urine or feces, and a buildup in the body can cause jaundice.
|
|
Bilobed tarsus
(Ento) |
The second to last tarsal segment divided
into two lobes.
|
|
Bimodal
(Stat) |
Having two modes.
|
|
Bimodal foraging
(Ento, Zoo) |
Having two modes of foraging.
|
|
Binary chemical weapon
(HS) |
A method of delivering chemical weapons that
involves generating the chemical weapon in the delivery vehicle as it is
on its way to the target. The weapon is formed, e.g. inside a bomb
casing, by the reaction of a pair of chemicals that are less toxic than
the chemical agent itself. This simplifies the storage and handling of
the agents before use.
|
|
Binary fission
(Para) |
Reproduction by division of an individual
into two individuals each a duplicate of the other. Division by which
two equal and similar individuals are formed e.g. amoeba (Entamoeba
histolytica). Division may be transverse, e.g. ciliates (Balantidium
coli) or longitudinal e.g. flagellates (Trypanosoma gambiense). It
usually occurs in the free-living state but may occur in the encysted
state where several divisions may occur within a single cyst, e.g. E.
histolytica produces four daughter amoebae in the cyst stage. Division
may be either amitotic or mitotic.
|
|
Binocular vision
(Zoo) |
Having to do with or the use of both eye
simultaneously.
|
|
Binomial distribution
(Stat) |
A random variable has a binomial distribution
(with parameters n and p) if it is the number of
"successes" in a fixed number n of independent random trials, all
of which have the same probability p of resulting in "success."
Under these assumptions, the probability of k successes (and
n-k failures) is nCk pk(1-p)n-k,
where nCk is the number of combinations of
n objects taken k at a time: nCk
= n!/(k!(n-k)!). The expected value of a random
variable with the Binomial distribution is n×p, and the standard
error of a random variable with the Binomial distribution is (n×p×(1
- p))˝. Or, the probability distribution associated
with two mutually exclusive outcomes; used to model cumulative incidence
rates and prevalence rates. The Bernoulli distribution is a special case
of binomial distribution.
|
|
Binominal nomenclature
(Eco, Ento, Zoo) |
The system of naming organisms with two
names, generic and specific. |
|
Binuclear
(Vet) |
A cell having two nuclei.
|
|
Bioaccumulation
(Eco) |
When contaminants accumulate in the tissues
of a living creature, typically increasing in concentration as they move
through the food chain. For example, when a small fish eats contaminated
algae, and a bigger fish eats many contaminated small fish, and a human
eats the bigger fish, that human is consuming a fish that is loaded with
the chemical. |
|
Bioassay
(Eco) |
A simple biological test that uses an
indicator organism to measure the potency of a given substance in a
biological system. An example of a bioassay would be a test that
measures algal growth in response to different nutrient concentrations.
|
|
Bioassay
(Trop) |
Assessment of the efficacy and persistence of
an insecticidal treatment by exposing mosquitoes of known susceptibility
to a treated surface or area for a standard period of time.
|
|
Biocide
(Eco) |
A chemical substance that is toxic to a wide
range of organisms (e.g. insects, snails, birds, people).
|
|
Biodegradable
(Eco) |
Capable of being broken down by
micro-organisms. It usually refers to biological processes in soil,
water and sewage. It can also refer to man-made organic compounds such
as pesticides.
|
|
Biodegradation
(PEH) |
Decomposition or breakdown of a substance
through the action of microorganisms (such as bacteria or fungi) or
other natural physical processes (such as sunlight).
|
|
Biodiversity (or Biological Diversity)
(Aqua) |
The variety of species, their genetic
make-up, and the natural communities which they compose. All the
different kinds of organisms living in an area.
|
|
Biohazard
(OH) |
Any biological organism or product of
organisms that presents a risk to human health.
|
|
Biologic indicators of exposure study
(PEH) |
A study that uses (a) biomedical testing or
(b) the measurement of a substance [an analyte], its metabolite, or
another marker of exposure in human body fluids or tissues to confirm
human exposure to a hazardous substance [also see exposure
investigation].
|
|
Biologic monitoring
(PEH) |
Measuring hazardous substances in biologic
materials (such as blood, hair, urine, or breath) to determine whether
exposure has occurred. A blood test for lead is an example of biologic
monitoring.
|
|
Biologic uptake
(PEH) |
The transfer of substances from the
environment to plants, animals, and humans.
|
|
Biologic vector
(Para) |
A living obligate host in which the parasite
undergoes morphologic change and/or multiplication. There are three
classes of biologic vectors: (1) Propagative in which the parasite
multiplies but does not undergo morphologic change, (2) Cyclopropagative
in which the parasite undergoes cyclic, morphologic changes and also
multiplies,(3) Cyclodevelopmental in which the parasite undergoes cyclic
morphologic change, but does not multiply.
|
|
Biological classification |
The hierarchical grouping of organisms into
categories based on evolutionary relationships. Seven hierarchical
levels (or taxa) are commonly used: kingdom, phylum, class, order,
family, genus, and species.
|
|
Biological control
(Aqua) |
Limiting an organism's distribution and
abundance by using its natural enemies (eg. predators, diseases) or by
interfering with its life cycle.
|
|
Biological control
(Eco) |
The use of natural enemies such as predators,
parasites, and pathogenic micro-organisms or antagonists to control pest
populations, diseases or weeds. This can be achieved either through
conservation and stimulation of indigenous natural enemies, or by the
importation and mass introduction of exotic natural enemies.
|
|
Biological control (or Bio-control)
(Aqua) |
Using one kind of organism to help manage a
harmful species. For example, certain beetles feed on purple
loosestrife, an invasive species, and help control its spread.
|
|
Biological control agent
(Vet) |
Any biological agent that adversely affects
pests.
|
|
Biological diversity
(Eco) |
The variety of life in all its forms, levels
and combinations including ecosystem diversity, species diversity and
genetic diversity.
|
|
Biological monitoring
(PEH) |
Analyzing chemicals, hormone levels or other
substances in biological materials (blood, urine, breath, etc.) as a
measure of chemical exposure, health status, etc. in humans or animals.
A blood test for lead is an example of biological monitoring.
|
|
Biological nutrient removal (BNR)
(Eco) |
A temperature dependent process in which the
ammonia nitrogen present in raw wastewater is converted by bacteria
first to nitrate nitrogen and then to nitrogen gas.
|
|
Biological pesticide
(Ento) |
A pesticide the active ingredient of which
consists of a living organism or virus.
|
|
Biological safety
(OH) |
A specialized area with the goal of
protecting workers from agents of disease, such as bacteria and viruses,
by using containment, decontamination and PPE procedures. Also known as
“biosafety.”
|
|
Biological threat (DOD)
(HS) |
A threat that consists of biological material
planned to be deployed to produce casualties in personnel or animals or
damage plants. See also biological agent; biological ammunition;
biological defense; biological environment; chemical, biological, and
radiological operation; contamination; contamination control.
|
|
Biological Weapons Anti-Terrorism Act
(HS) |
US
legislation that makes it illegal to prepare, procure or possess
biological weapons for the purposes of terrorism.
|
|
Bioluminescence
(Ento, Zoo) |
The ability of certain organisms to produce
light.
|
|
Biomass
(Eco) |
The quantity of living matter, expressed as a
concentration or weight per unit area.
|
|
Biome
(Aqua) |
Major regional ecological community of plants
and animals associated with a particular climate. Examples include:
tropical rainforest biome, desert biome, lake biome, and estuarine
biome.
|
|
Biome
(Para) |
Large terrestrial regions characterized by
similar climate, soil, and living things.
|
|
Biomedical testing
(PEH) |
Testing of persons to find out whether a
change in a body function might have occurred because of exposure to a
hazardous substance.
|
|
Biometry
(Stat) |
The use of statistical methods to analyze
biological observations and phenomena.
|
|
Bionomics
(Vet) |
The study of the habits, breeding, and
adaptations of living forms.
|
|
Biopsy
(Trop, Vet) |
A surgical process in which a small piece of
tissue is cut out or otherwise sampled, e.g. through a needle biopsy, to
enable a diagnosis. |
|
Biorational pesticides
(Ento) |
Pesticides based on bacteria, viruses, fungi
or protozoa; includes pest control agents, and chemical analogues of
naturally occurring biochemicals (pheromones, insect growth regulators).
|
|
Bioretention
(Eco) |
Bioretention sites are an innovative method
for stormwater management that retains stormwater on site and uses
plants and layers of soil, sand, and mulch to reduce the amount of
nutrients and other pollutants that enter local waterways. Also called
Rain Gardens. |
|
Biosafety level
(HS) |
(download this Glossary - 1.62MB)