Airway resistance
Airway resistance refers to the resistance to airflow in the respiratory passages, which can affect how easily air moves in and out of the lungs. It is a component of the total resistance within the respiratory system and is primarily determined by the diameter of the airways, the viscosity of the air, and the lung volume. Airway resistance can be influenced by several factors, including: 1. **Bronchial Diameter**: The wider the airways, the lower the resistance.
Ambulatory blood pressure
Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) is a method used to measure blood pressure at regular intervals over a 24-hour period while a person goes about their normal daily activities. This technique involves wearing a portable blood pressure monitor, typically on the arm, which automatically takes blood pressure readings every 15 to 30 minutes throughout the day and every 30 to 60 minutes at night.
Amplitude-integrated electroencephalography (aEEG) is a simplified form of continuous brain function monitoring used primarily in neonatology. It provides a way to assess and display brain activity in infants, especially those who are premature or critically ill, in a more accessible and interpretable manner than traditional electroencephalography (EEG).
Bacterial growth
Bacterial growth refers to the increase in the number of bacteria in a population over time. This process involves several key aspects, which can be described in the context of microbial biology: 1. **Binary Fission**: Bacteria primarily reproduce through a process called binary fission, where a single bacterial cell divides into two identical daughter cells. This process involves the replication of the bacterial DNA and the subsequent division of the cell's cytoplasm.
Biological half-life
Biological half-life is the time required for the concentration of a substance (such as a drug, toxin, or radioactive material) in a biological system to reduce to half its initial amount due to biological processes. This concept is crucial in pharmacology, toxicology, and other fields involving the study of substances within living organisms. The biological half-life can be influenced by various factors, including: 1. **Metabolism**: The rate at which the body chemically alters the substance.
Blood pressure
Blood pressure is the force exerted by circulating blood against the walls of blood vessels, particularly the arteries. It is an essential measure of cardiovascular health and is expressed in terms of two readings: 1. **Systolic Pressure**: This is the higher number and represents the pressure in the arteries when the heart beats and pumps blood. 2. **Diastolic Pressure**: This is the lower number and indicates the pressure in the arteries when the heart is at rest between beats.
Blood volume
Blood volume refers to the total amount of blood in the circulatory system of a person or an animal. It is typically expressed in liters or milliliters and varies depending on factors such as body size, age, gender, and overall health. In an average adult, blood volume is approximately 5 to 6 liters. This accounts for about 7% to 8% of total body weight.
Body mass index
Body Mass Index (BMI) is a numerical value derived from a person's weight and height, used as a screening tool to categorize individuals into different weight status categories.
Color vision
Color vision is the capacity of the visual system to perceive and distinguish different colors. This ability arises from the way the human eye and brain process light. The retina, located at the back of the eye, contains photoreceptor cells known as cones, which are responsible for color detection. There are three types of cones, each sensitive to different wavelengths of light corresponding to red, green, and blue colors.
Compartmental models in epidemiology are mathematical frameworks used to understand the dynamics of infectious diseases within a population. These models categorize the population into distinct compartments, each representing a specific disease state, and describe the transitions between these states over time. The most common compartments include: 1. **Susceptible (S)**: Individuals who are not infected but are at risk of contracting the disease.
Design of experiments
Design of Experiments (DOE) is a systematic method used in statistics for planning, conducting, analyzing, and interpreting controlled tests to evaluate the factors that may influence a particular outcome or response. It is commonly applied in various fields, including agriculture, engineering, pharmaceuticals, and social sciences, to understand the relationships between different inputs (factors) and outputs (responses).
Effective dose (pharmacology)
In pharmacology, "effective dose" (often denoted as ED) refers to the dose of a drug or therapeutic agent that produces a desired or therapeutic effect in a specified percentage of the population or in a specific clinical context. It is a critical concept in understanding the relationship between drug dosage and therapeutic efficacy. The most commonly cited metric is the ED50, which is the dose at which 50% of the population exhibits a specified effect.
Electro-olfactography
Electro-olfactography (EOG) is a technique used to study the olfactory system, or sense of smell, by measuring the electrical responses of the olfactory mucosa when exposed to odorants. This method involves placing electrodes on the olfactory epithelium (the tissue responsible for detecting odors) to record changes in electrical activity as the epithelium interacts with specific odor molecules.
Electrocardiography
Electrocardiography (ECG or EKG) is a medical diagnostic tool that records the electrical activity of the heart over a period of time. It involves placing electrodes on the skin to detect the heart's electrical signals, which are then displayed as wavy lines on a graph. This visual representation provides valuable information about the heart's rhythm, size, and position, as well as potential abnormalities in the heart's electrical conduction system.
Electroencephalography
Electroencephalography (EEG) is a medical diagnostic technique that records electrical activity in the brain using electrodes placed on the scalp. These electrodes detect and measure the electrical impulses produced by neuronal activity. EEG is useful for diagnosing various neurological conditions, such as epilepsy, sleep disorders, and brain tumors, as well as for monitoring brain activity during surgeries or in intensive care settings. The recorded data is displayed as waveforms and can be analyzed for patterns that may indicate abnormal brain activity.
Frank–Starling law
The Frank–Starling law, also known as the Frank–Starling mechanism or the Starling law of the heart, describes the relationship between the stretch of cardiac muscle fibers and the force of contraction. It states that the greater the volume of blood entering the heart during diastole (the filling phase), the greater the force of contraction during systole (the pumping phase). In simpler terms, the more the heart muscle is stretched by incoming blood, the more forcefully it contracts.
Hagen–Poiseuille equation
The Hagen–Poiseuille equation is a fundamental equation in fluid mechanics that describes the laminar flow of an incompressible and Newtonian fluid through a cylindrical pipe. It is used to calculate the volumetric flow rate of the fluid based on a few key parameters.
Heart rate
Heart rate, also known as pulse, refers to the number of times the heart beats in a minute. It is a vital sign that provides important information about a person's cardiovascular health and overall fitness. Heart rate can vary based on various factors, including age, fitness level, stress, activity level, and health conditions. Typically, a normal resting heart rate for adults ranges from 60 to 100 beats per minute (bpm).
Hematocrit
Hematocrit is a medical term that refers to the proportion of blood volume that is made up of red blood cells. It is typically expressed as a percentage. For example, a hematocrit value of 45% means that 45% of the blood's volume consists of red blood cells. Hematocrit is an important measure in evaluating a person's overall health and can provide insight into conditions such as anemia, polycythemia, and dehydration.
Hemodynamics
Hemodynamics is the study of the movement of blood within the circulatory system and the forces that govern this movement. It encompasses the principles of fluid dynamics as they apply to blood flow, pressure, and resistance within the blood vessels. Hemodynamics is critical for understanding the function of the cardiovascular system and is crucial in clinical settings, especially in assessing and managing conditions like hypertension, heart failure, and other cardiovascular disorders.