Glossary of Terms - i

Index

Click on a letter to jump to another subsection or click on "all" for the entire document.

a b c d e f g h i k l m n o p q r s t u v w all

Terms

Icteric: A yellow color in the serum due to red cell destruction. Usually caused when the liver is not functioning properly.
Immunochemical: Describing the chemistry of antigens, antibodies, and their relation to each other.
Immunoelectrophoresis: Pertaining to investigation of substances and their identifications by a method combining mobility in an electric field and utilizing an antigen-antibody reaction. It refers to a combination technique used to elevate proteins in a mixture, or the characteristics of a specific protein.
Immunofluorescence: A method of locating antigens in tissue, or of identifying an antigen by the fluorescence resulting when the antigenic material is exposed to a specific antibody coupled with a fluorescent dye. The antigen-antibody combination then is visible (luminous) using ultraviolet light. This technique is used in the diagnosis of syphilis, toxoplasmosis (a serious disease which may lead to blindness and brain defects in the congenital form, as well as myocarditis and other conditions), and other diseases.
Immunoglobulins (lg): A family of similar but distinctly different proteins which act as antibodies of five major types (IgA, IgD, IgE, IgG, and IgM). They are produced in lymphoid tissue by B lymphocytes and plasma cells, in response to the presence of antigenic substances.
Immunology: The study of immunity ¿ the security or protection against a foreign organism or poison introduced into an individual.
Immunosorbence: A method of (or preparation for) using an insoluble substance combined with specific antibody or antigen for absorbing antigen or antibody components from blood. This allows determination of the amount of antigen or antibody in the specimen.
Impotence: The inability to have an erection.
In vitro: In a test tube.
In vivo: In a living body.
Incontinence: A loss of urinary control.
Insulin: A protein hormone secreted by the beta cells of the pancreas that signals the fed state. It is secreted in response to elevated blood levels of glucose.
Insulin Resistance: A defect present in the majority of individuals with impaired glucose tolerance and essentially in all patients with Type 2 diabetes and is an impairment of insulin action.
Iron (Fe): An essential element enabling the oxygen-carrying capacity of hemoglobin in red blood cells. A large portion of iron in the body is found in hemoglobin, muscle and other tissues, while some of the remaining iron is bound to an iron-transporting serum protein called transferrin. Tests to measure iron are performed to detect and evaluate iron-deficiency anemias or abnormally high levels of iron found in hemochromatosis (excess iron deposits throughout the body).
Isotopic assay techniques: Methods of identifying and measuring substances such as hormones, by using procedures that employ labeling with material having radioactive properties (isotopes). Detection of radiation enables measurement of the desired analyte.