A plant pigment which can be converted to Vitamin A by many animals, but not by cats.... ↪ Read more

Heart medications which block certain receptors in the heart called beta receptors. The beta receptors receive signals which generally increase the heart rate. If the heart rate is abnormally fast and uneven, beta blockers will help stabilize the rate and rhythm of contractions.... ↪ Read more

A mild illness or non-malignant form of cancer. A cancer that has low possibility of spread to other parts of the body. Not malignant. Sometimes taken to mean noncancerous although some cancers are called benign if they do not spread to other parts of the body.... ↪ Read more

Also called 'B lymphocyte'. The type of lymphocyte which produces antibody. Compare with 'T cells'.... ↪ Read more

A description of an agent that stops the growth (reproduction) of bacteria, but does NOT kill them. Inhibits or retards bacterial growth.... ↪ Read more

A description of an agent that kills bacteria. Kills bacteria.... ↪ Read more

Condition in which in the immune system attacks the body's own tissues. To properly function, the immune system must identify foreign substances such as bacteria, viruses, parasites, slivers, etc., and it must be able to distinguish normal body tissue from these foreign substances. If it fails to... ↪ Read more

Weakened. An attenuated virus is one which has been changed such that it will no longer cause disease. An attenuated virus would be used in a modified live vaccine.... ↪ Read more

A heart condition in which the atria (chambers of the heart that receive the blood) contract rapidly, irregularly, and independently of the ventricles (the chambers of the heart that pump the blood). This greatly decreases the efficiency of the heart and its ability to move blood.... ↪ Read more

The two chambers of the heart that receive blood. The right atrium receives blood from the body. The left atrium receives oxygenated blood from the lungs.... ↪ Read more

Adenosine triphosphate; a compound used for energy by cells... ↪ Read more

An allergy to something that is inhaled such as pollen or house dust. Also called 'inhalant allergy'. See articles in the Allergies section. Allergic inhalant dermatitis or atopic dermatitis. Allergens are true antigens which are usually inhaled or penetrate the skin as complete allergens or... ↪ Read more