APPENDIX
GLOSSARY OF TERMS
A
AGGLUTINATION: To glue together or clot.
AMEBOID: Ability to wander through capillary walls into the surrounding tissue.
ANIONS: Negatively charged ions.
ANTIBODY: Protein substances developed by the body, usually in response to the
resence of an antigen which has gained access to the body. Normal antibodies
are also present in the circulation.
ANTIGEN: A substance which induces the formation of antibodies. An antigen may
be introduced into the body or it may be formed within the body.
B
C
CATABOLISM: Energy released which results in the breakdown of complex materials
within the body.
CATIONS: Positively charged ions.
CHARGE: Positive or negative valence.
COLLOID SOLUTION: Particles are dispersed throughout a liquid medium. These
particles are organically complex substances which are much larger than
crystalloids but not large enough to settle out of the liquid.
CRYSTALLOID SOLUTION: Containing crystal-like particles which pass readily
through membranes. Unlike colloids, these particles are organically simple.
D
DIATHESIS: A constitution or condition of the body that makes the body react in
special ways to certain external stimuli and makes a person more than usually
susceptible to certain diseases.
DYSPNEA: Difficult or labored breathing.
MD0564
A-1