VOCAB WORDS Flashcards
Abduction
Movement of bone away from the midline of body, or away from the axis of and extremity.
Abomasum
4th stomach compartment of a ruminant animal. Only compartment that secretes digestive enzymes- true stomach
Abscess
localized collection of pus, accompanied by swelling- develop in any part of the body
Accessory sex gland
gland associated with the urogenital tract
Acetylcholine
Naturally occurring substance in body that is involved in the transmission of nerve impulses
Acquired Immunity
Immunity acquired through exposure to antigen, which results in activation of immune cells and the formation of antibodies to this antigen. Also called active immunity.
Acid
Chemical or solution with pH below 7
Activity cage
specialized animal unit or cage that allows an animal to exercise freely while its activity is being recorded or measured.
Acute Disease
rapid onset and short duration
Acute toxicity test
test animal receives single dose of test substance
Adduction
movement of bone toward the midline or toward axis
Adipose tissue
tissue made of cells that store fatty substances, such as lipids and fatty acids. Used as a source of energy for body. Also called fatty tissue.
Adjuvant
A substance that enhances the potency of another substance. In immunology, it is a substance that enhances the immune response to antigens.
Adrenaline
secreted by the adrenal medulla into the bloodstream in response to physical or mental stress. Causes rapid increase in blood pressure, metabolic rate, and blood glucose concentration. Also called Epinephrine.
Adrenergic
A drug, or other substance that has the effect of adrenaline
Adventitious
Accidental or acquired, not natural or hereditary
Aerosol
suspension, fine mist or spray which contains minute particles. Ex: pollen, medications, or pathogens
Agar
polymer made up of subunits of the sugar galactose that becomes gelatinous when dissolved in hot water and cooled. Used as medium for culturing microorganisms
Agonist
a drug capable of stimulating physiologic activity
Agouti
an animal color pattern in which the hairs are dark brown with yellow bands close to the tips, giving the animal a light brown appearance.
Agranulocyte
A white blood cell that contains a multilobed nucleus and is distinguished by its lack of cytoplasmic granules (Ex: leukocytes and monocytes)
Air exchange
the # of times per hour the ventilation system replaces the entire volume of air in the room
Alimentary canal
long tube extending from the mouth to the anus; includes organs such as stomach and intestines. Also called gastrointestinal tract.
Allele
one member of a pair of genes that occupies a specific site on a given chromosome. Alternate form of a gene
Altricial
developmental state in which animals are born blind, hairless, and helpless. Most rodents are altricial at birth
Alveolus
plural alveoli- microscopic air sac in lungs where the exchange of respiratory gases occurs through a network of finely divided blood capillaries
Ambulation
The physical act of walking
Amino Acid
basic chemical building block of which proteins are made
Amorphous
having no shape or organization
Amplexus
the mating position of some frogs and toads, which the male clasps the female about the back and fertilizes her eggs as they are released
Androgen
Testosterone or any of the related male sex hormones
Anemia
blood disorder in which the number or size of red blood cells or amount of hemoglobin per volume of blood is below normal.
Anemometer
instrument that measures air flow; used for balancing ventilation
Anestrus
period of time between breeding seasons in some animal species; especially cats and dogs
Animal Model
an animal whose structural or functional similarity to humans or other animals makes it useful in the study of human or animal diseases
Animal Welfare Regulations (AWR)
federal regulations that specify how the Animal Welfare Act should be followed. Enforced by the USDA
Anogenital Distance
distance between the anus and genital papilla of most animals; typically greater in males than females. Used for sexing animals
Anorexia
Loss of appetite
Antagonist
drug that counteracts or opposes the action of another drug or blocks physiological activity.