Lactase Definition Lactase is a digestive enzyme which aids in the digestion of lactose, a sugar present in milk, in the small intestines of mammals. When the offspring are weaned and can take other meals, lactase activity drops, which is why animals need milk to nourish their young. Lactose persistence (a.k.a. lactose tolerance), or the …
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Subclavian Artery Definition The right and left subclavian arteries are significant arteries that carry blood to the head, neck, chest, shoulders, and upper extremities. The term “subclavian” refers to the location of these veins, which is “under the collarbone.” Peripheral arterial disease and other clinical diseases are occasionally linked to the subclavian arteries. Anatomy of …
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Mandible Definition The mandible supports the lower teeth and is the biggest bone in the human skull. It is the skull’s only moveable bone and is required for chewing, swallowing, and speaking. The mandible bone is where several muscles originate or insert. This bone is made up of a body and two rami, which vary …
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Brain Stem Definition The midbrain, pons, and medulla oblongata comprise the brain stem (or brainstem), which connects the brain to the spinal cord. It has ascending channels for sensory information to be processed by the brain and descending pathways for motor instructions to be transmitted back to the body via the autonomic nervous system. Additionally, …
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Tonicity Definition The concentration of a solution in comparison to another solution is known as tonicity. The quantity of solutes dissolved by a solution is referred to as concentration. Hypertonic refers to a solution that has a greater concentration of solutes (less water) than another. A hypotonic solution has fewer solutes and more water than …
Y Chromosome Definition The Y chromosome is one of 46 (23 pairs) chromosomes found in humans, as well as many other animals. The Y chromosome is one of the two sex chromosomes, with the X chromosome being the other. Individuals usually have two types of sex chromosomes. The Y chromosome is only found in men, …
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Schwann Cells Definition Schwann cells are glial cells that surround neurons, keeping them alive and coating them with a myelin sheath in certain cases. The peripheral nervous system contains Schwann cells, but the central nervous system has oligodendrocytes, which are related cells. These cells surround nerves to keep them in place, provide nourishment and oxygen …
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Definition of Commensalism Commensalism is an association between two organisms where one organism gets benefits while the other remains unaffected. On the other hand, the other forms of symbiosis, such as mutualism and parasitism, are opposite of commensalism. The key distinction between commensalism and other kinds of symbiosis is that the second organism or host …