Glossary of Terms for my Lectures

7-dehydrocholesterol 7-Dehydrocholesterol is a cholesterol precursor, and is converted to vitamin D3 in the skin, therefore functioning as provitamin-D3. It is converted to vitamin D3 in the presence of UV rays from the sun. —————————————————————————————————————————— Acidosis Acidosis is an increased acidity in the blood and other body tissue (i.e., an increased hydrogen ion concentration). —————————————————————————————————————————— Adiponectin Adiponectin is a hormone that modulates a number of metabolic processes, including glucose regulation and fatty acid breakdown. Adiponectin is secreted from fat cells and from the placenta in pregnancy. Its blood levels are inversely correlated with body fat percentage in adults. —————————————————————————————————————————— Adjuvant An adjuvant is a pharmacological or immunological agent that modifies the effect of other agents, such as a drug or vaccine. They are often included in vaccines to enhance the recipient’s immune response to a supplied antigen, while keeping the injected foreign material to a minimum. —————————————————————————————————————————— Aerobic glycolysis The conversion of glucose to lactate in the presence of oxygen. —————————————————————————————————————————— Atherogenesis The process of forming atheromas, plaques in the inner lining (the intima) of arteries. —————————————————————————————————————————— Anion A charged molecule (ion) having a negative charge. —————————————————————————————————————————— Apoptosis A process resulting in programmed cell death. —————————————————————————————————————————— Astrocytes Astrocytes are characteristic star-shaped glial cells in the brain and spinal cord. They provide nutrients to nerve cells, support endothelial cells in the blood-brain barrier, maintain extracellular ion balance, and facilitate repair following brain injury. —————————————————————————————————————————— ATP ATP (Adenosine-5’-triphosphate) is a multifunctional molecule with widespread uses in cells as a