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mutation

(Encyclopedia)mutation, in biology, a sudden, random change in a gene, or unit of hereditary material, that can alter an inheritable characteristic. Most mutations are not beneficial, since any change in the delica...

catabolism

(Encyclopedia)catabolism kətăbˈəlĭzˌəm [key], subdivision of metabolism involving all degradative chemical reactions in the living cell. Large polymeric molecules such as polysaccharides, nucleic acids, and ...

gout

(Encyclopedia)gout, condition that manifests itself as recurrent attacks of acute arthritis, which may become chronic and deforming. It results from deposits of uric acid crystals in connective tissue or joints. Th...

Watson, James Dewey

(Encyclopedia)Watson, James Dewey, 1928–, American biologist and educator, b. Chicago, Ill., grad. Univ. of Chicago, 1947, Ph.D. Univ. of Indiana, 1950. With F. H. C. Crick he began (1951) research on the molecul...

histidine

(Encyclopedia)CE5 histidine hĭsˈtĭdēn [key], organic compound, one of the 22 α-amino acids commonly found in animal proteins. Only the l-stereoisomer appears in mammalian protein. Histidine is the direct pr...

cis-butenedioic acid

(Encyclopedia)cis-butenedioic acid sĭs-byo͞oˌtēndīˈōĭk [key], IUPAC name for maleic acid; see fumaric acid. ...

citric acid cycle

(Encyclopedia)citric acid cycle: see Krebs cycle. ...

indicators, acid-base

(Encyclopedia)indicators, acid-base, organic compounds that, in aqueous solution, exhibit color changes indicative of the acidity or basicity of the solution. Common indicators include p-nitrophenol, which is color...

acid-base indicators

(Encyclopedia)acid-base indicators: see indicators, acid-base. ...

para-aminobenzoic acid

(Encyclopedia)para-aminobenzoic acid pârˈə-əmēˈnōbĕnzōĭk [key]: see vitamin. ...