Life Cycle, Processes & Properties, CAF-CHO
None of us are born looking exactly the way that we do today; this is because humans, like other species, undergo a series of changes as they mature and age, in accordance with their biological life cycle. This process can look very different across different species. In many simple organisms and in higher animals, the life cycle is completed within a single generation, while in most plants, the life cycle is multigenerational.
Life Cycle, Processes & Properties Encyclopedia Articles By Title
Caffey syndrome
Caffey syndrome, a hereditary disease of infants, characterized by swellings of the periosteum (the bone layer......
calcium deficiency
calcium deficiency, condition in which calcium is insufficient or is not utilized properly. Calcium is the mineral......
Calculating dog years
How do dogs age in comparison with humans? And are seven dog years really equivalent to one year of human life?......
callus
callus, in osteology, bony and cartilaginous material forming a connecting bridge across a bone fracture during......
callus
callus, in dermatology, small area of thickened skin, the formation of which is caused by continued friction, pressure,......
campylobacteriosis
campylobacteriosis, a disease of cattle, sheep, and humans caused by bacteria of the genus Campylobacter. Vaccines......
Can Apple Seeds Kill You?
As you watch someone carelessly munching on an apple core, some vague alarm bells go off in your head. Didn’t you......
Can Eating Too Many Carrots Make Your Skin Turn Orange?
You’ve been on a health kick and have been bingeing on baby carrots as your afternoon snack. You look in the mirror......
Can Limes Burn Your Skin?
Not to make you scared of your favorite zesty citrus fruit, but yes, limes can burn you. Under the right conditions,......
Can salamanders regrow body parts?
When a salamander loses a limb, the tissues at the stump undergo a fascinating transformation. They dedifferentiate,......
Can You Really Be Scared to Death?
A friend jumps out at you when you’re turning a corner. Your heart starts pounding, and you gasp. “You scared me......
Can You Really Sweat Out Toxins?
You’re in your weekly yoga class, inverted and stretching out your body as piped-in sitar music plinks soothingly......
cancer
cancer, group of more than 100 distinct diseases characterized by the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in......
- Introduction
- Rates, Trends, Prevention
- Tumor Progression, Clinical View
- Metastasis, Tumor, Cells
- Tumor Effects, Symptoms, Treatment
- Immune Response, Tumors, Treatment
- Diagnosis, Treatment, Prevention
- Evaluation, Tumors, Diagnosis
- Treatment, Chemotherapy, Radiation
- Chemotherapy, Treatment, Prevention
- Targeted Therapies
- Immunotherapy, Treatment, Prevention
- Gene Therapy, Tumors, Treatment
- Mutations, Carcinogens, Genetics
- Oncogenes, Mutations, Treatment
- Chromosomal Translocation
- Loss, RB Protein, Mutations
- Apoptosis, Development, Prevention
- Carcinogens, Mutagens, Radiation
- Chemicals, Particulate, Fibres
- Radiation Therapy, Treatment, Prevention
- Milestones, Science, Research
cancer of unknown primary
cancer of unknown primary (CUP), rare condition in which the initial site of cancer development in a patient’s......
cancer registry
cancer registry, surveillance system that allows for the collection, storage, and analysis of information on cancer......
candidiasis
candidiasis, infectious disease produced by the yeastlike fungus Candida albicans and closely related species.......
canine distemper
canine distemper, an acute, highly contagious, disease affecting dogs, foxes, wolves, mink, raccoons, and ferrets.......
canine parvovirus disease
canine parvovirus disease, acute viral infection in dogs characterized by a severe enteritis that is associated......
canine tooth
canine tooth, in mammals, any of the single-cusped (pointed), usually single-rooted teeth adapted for tearing food,......
canine viral hepatitis
canine viral hepatitis, acute adenovirus infection common in young dogs, affecting the liver and inner lining of......
Canker
Canker, plant disease, caused by numerous species of fungi and bacteria, that occurs primarily on woody species.......
canker sore
canker sore, a small, painful ulcer of the oral cavity, typically round, shallow, and white in appearance and occurring......
Cannibalism
Cannibalism, in zoology, the eating of any animal by another member of the same species. Cannibalism frequently......
canola oil
canola oil, vegetable oil made from the pressed seeds of rapeseed (Brassica napus variety napus), a relative of......
capsule
capsule, in botany, dry fruit that opens when ripe. It splits from apex to base into separate segments known as......
Carbohydrate
Carbohydrate, class of naturally occurring compounds and derivatives formed from them. Carbohydrates are probably......
- Introduction
- Energy, Structure, Nutrition
- Energy, Digestion, Nutrition
- Structure, Function, Sources
- Chemical Reactions
- Methyl Ethers, Formation, Structure
- Sucrose, Trehalose, Glucose
- Polysaccharides, Monosaccharides, Glycans
- Polysaccharides, Glycosidic Bonds, Glycans
- Spectroscopy, Sugars, Polysaccharides
carbon monoxide poisoning
carbon monoxide poisoning, often fatal condition resulting from inhalation of carbon monoxide, frequently occurring......
carbuncle
carbuncle, in medicine, a type of inflammatory staphylococcal infection of the skin. A carbuncle typically consists......
carcinogen
carcinogen, any of a number of agents that can cause cancer in humans. They can be divided into three major categories:......
carcinoma
carcinoma, a cancerous growth of surface (epithelial) tissues of the skin, digestive tract, blood vessels, and......
cardiac arrest
cardiac arrest, sudden loss of heart function, in which the regular contraction of the heart muscle unexpectedly......
cardiomyopathy
cardiomyopathy, any cardiac disease process that results in heart failure due to a decrease in the pumping power......
cardiovascular disease
cardiovascular disease, any of the diseases, whether congenital or acquired, of the heart and blood vessels. Among......
- Introduction
- Abnormalities, Heart Chambers, Risk Factors
- Valves, Abnormalities, Treatment
- Acquired, Risk Factors, Prevention
- Risk Factors, Prevention, Treatment
- Myocardial Infarction, Risk Factors, Prevention
- Coronary Bypass, Surgery, Risk
- Heart, Pulmonary Artery, Aorta
- Syphilis, Heart, Aorta
- Myocardial Infarction, Hypertension, Arrhythmia
- Rhythm, Conduction, Prevention
- Supraventricular Arrhythmia, Risk Factors, Treatment
- Ventricular Arrhythmia, Risk Factors, Treatment
- Ventricular Dysfunction, Heart Failure, Treatment
- Prevention, Medication, Surgery
- Repair, Acquired Defects
- Coronary Artery, Risk Factors, Prevention
- Arterial Damage, Risk Factors, Prevention
- Atherosclerosis, Plaque, Arteries
- Nonocclusive, Risk Factors, Prevention
- Risk Factors, Prevention, Treatment
- Vein Disorders, Atherosclerosis, Hypertension
- Hemodynamics, Disorders, Risk Factors
- Shock, Symptoms, Treatment
- Anaphylaxis, Shock, Symptoms
- Refractory, Irreversible, Shock
caries
caries, cavity or decay of a tooth, a localized disease that begins at the surface of the tooth and may progress......
carnivore
carnivore, animal whose diet consists of other animals. Adaptations for a carnivorous diet include a variety of......
carotenemia
carotenemia, yellow skin discoloration caused by excess blood carotene; it may follow overeating of such carotenoid-rich......
Carotenoid
Carotenoid, any of a group of nonnitrogenous yellow, orange, or red pigments that are almost universally distributed......
carpal tunnel syndrome
carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), condition of numbness, tingling, or pain in the wrist caused by repetitive flexing......
Carrión disease
Carrión disease, rickettsial infection limited to South America, caused by the bacterium Bartonella bacilliformis......
caryopsis
caryopsis, specialized type of dry, one-seeded fruit (achene) characteristic of grasses, in which the ovary wall......
case definition
case definition, in epidemiology, set of criteria used in making a decision as to whether an individual has a disease......
case fatality rate
case fatality rate, in epidemiology, the proportion of people who die from a specified disease among all individuals......
case-control study
case-control study, in epidemiology, observational (nonexperimental) study design used to ascertain information......
casebearer
casebearer, (family Coleophoridae), any larva of a group of moths (order Lepidoptera) that are characteristically......
Caste
Caste, in biology, a subset of individuals within a colony (society) of social animals that is specialized in the......
cat scratch disease
cat scratch disease, bacterial infection in human beings caused by Bartonella henselae, which is transmitted by......
Catabolism
Catabolism, the sequences of enzyme-catalyzed reactions by which relatively large molecules in living cells are......
cataplexy
cataplexy, a sudden brief impairment of muscle tone that can vary from subtle slackening—such as a limpness of......
cataract
cataract, opacity of the crystalline lens of the eye. Cataracts occur in 50 percent of people between the ages......
catatonia
catatonia, psychomotor syndrome in which an affected individual is unresponsive and immobile or occasionally hyperactive,......
catatonic schizophrenia
catatonic schizophrenia, rare severe mental disorder characterized by striking motor behaviour, typically involving......
caterpillar
caterpillar, larva of a butterfly or moth (Lepidoptera). Most caterpillars have cylindrical bodies consisting of......
Caul
Caul, a portion of the amnion, or bag of waters, which is sometimes found remaining around the head of a child......
cauliflower ear
cauliflower ear, distortion of the cartilage of the outer ear as the result of an injury. If the injury causes......
Cedar-apple rust
Cedar-apple rust, plant disease that primarily affects eastern red cedar (Juniperus virginiana) and various apple......
celiac disease
celiac disease, an inherited autoimmune digestive disorder in which affected individuals cannot tolerate gluten,......
cell differentiation
cell differentiation, process by which an immature cell develops into a specialized cell type with a distinct structure......
cell division
cell division, the process by which cells reproduce. See meiosis;...
cellular respiration
cellular respiration, the process by which organisms combine oxygen with foodstuff molecules, diverting the chemical......
cellulitis
cellulitis, bacterial infection of the skin. Cellulitis can be caused by any bacteria that enters a superficial......
cementum
cementum, in anatomy, thin layer of bonelike material covering the roots and sometimes other parts of the teeth......
centromere
centromere, structure in a chromosome that holds together the two chromatids (the daughter strands of a replicated......
cephalic disorder
cephalic disorder, any of several conditions affecting the structure and function of the human brain and central......
cerebellar ataxia
cerebellar ataxia, any of several conditions characterized primarily by a failure of muscle coordination (ataxia)......
cerebral edema
cerebral edema, swelling of part or all of the brain, caused by the presence of excess fluid within either the......
cerebral palsy
cerebral palsy, a group of neurological disorders characterized by paralysis resulting from abnormal development......
cervical cancer
cervical cancer, disease characterized by the abnormal growth of cells in the cervix, the region of the uterus......
cervical erosion
cervical erosion, ulceration of the lining of the uterine cervix made evident by bright red or pink spots around......
cervical spondylosis
cervical spondylosis, degenerative disease of the neck vertebrae, causing compression of the spinal cord and cervical......
cervicitis
cervicitis, inflammation of the uterine cervix, the small, thick-walled tube that is the protruding extension of......
cestodiasis
cestodiasis, infestation with cestodes, a group of flattened and tapelike hermaphroditic worms that are intestinal......
Chagas disease
Chagas disease, infection with the flagellate protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi. It is transmitted to humans by bloodsucking......
Chamberlain, Charles Joseph
Charles Joseph Chamberlain was a U.S. botanist whose research into the morphology and life cycles of the cycads,......
Chamberlen, Hugh, The Elder
Hugh Chamberlen, the Elder was a British male midwife, prominent member of a family of medical men remembered for......
chancre
chancre, typical skin lesion of the primary stage of infectious syphilis, usually appearing on the penis, labia,......
chancroid
chancroid, acute, localized, chiefly sexually transmitted disease, usually of the genital area, caused by the bacillus......
Channing, Walter
Walter Channing was a U.S. physician and one of the founders of the Boston Lying-In Hospital (1832). He was the......
Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease
Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, a group of inherited nerve diseases characterized by slowly progressive weakness and......
chemical dependence
chemical dependence, adaptation of the body to ongoing exposure to a drug or other substance. The risk of dependence......
Chemoreception
Chemoreception, process by which organisms respond to chemical stimuli in their environments that depends primarily......
- Introduction
- Taste, Smell, Receptors
- Olfaction, Odorants, Receptors
- Taste, Smell, Interaction
- Bacteria, Insects, Fish
- Specialized chemosensory structures
- Pheromones, Olfaction, Taste
- Sex Attractant, Pheromones
- Aphrodisiac, Pheromones
- Foraging, Taste, Smell
- Chemical Defense, Signaling, Receptors
- Taste, Smell, Signaling
- Human, Animals, Smell
Chestnut blight
Chestnut blight, plant disease caused by the fungus Cryphonectria parasitica (formerly known as Endothia parasitica).......
chewing
chewing, up-and-down and side-to-side movements of the lower jaw that assist in reducing particles of solid food,......
chickenpox
chickenpox, contagious viral disease characterized by an eruption of vesicles (small blisters) on the skin. The......
chikungunya fever
chikungunya fever, viral disease transmitted to humans by infected mosquitoes that is characterized by fever, headache,......
chilblain
chilblain, an inflammatory swelling of the skin of the hands or feet, resulting from exposure to cold. The condition......
child behaviour disorder
child behaviour disorder, any deviation in conduct that is aggressive or disruptive in nature, that persists for......
child development
child development, the progressive maturation of perceptual, emotional, intellectual, and behavioral functions......
childhood
childhood, period of the human lifespan between infancy and adolescence, extending from ages 1–2 to 12–13. See......
childhood disease and disorder
childhood disease and disorder, any illness, impairment, or condition that primarily affects infants and children,......
childhood disintegrative disorder
childhood disintegrative disorder (CDD), a rare neurobiological disorder characterized by the deterioration of......
chlorine deficiency
chlorine deficiency, condition in which chlorine is insufficient or is not utilized properly. Chlorine is a component......
Chlorophyll
Chlorophyll, any member of the most important class of pigments involved in photosynthesis, the process by which......
Chlorosis
Chlorosis, symptom of plant disease in which normally green tissue is pale, yellow, or bleached. It results from......
cholecystitis
cholecystitis, acute or chronic inflammation of the gallbladder, in most instances associated with the presence......
cholera
cholera, an acute infection of the small intestine caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae and characterized by......
chondromalacia patella
chondromalacia patella, condition in which the cartilage on the undersurface of the kneecap (patella) becomes softened......
chondrosarcoma
chondrosarcoma, rare malignant tumour of bone formed from cartilage. Pain is the most common symptom. Primary chondrosarcomas......
chorea
chorea, neurological disorder characterized by irregular and involuntary movements of muscle groups in various......
chorea
chorea, in dogs, a disorder in which muscle spasms are prominent. It is usually associated with distemper, encephalitis,......
chorion
chorion, in reptiles, birds, and mammals, the outermost membrane around the embryo. It develops from an outer fold......