A high energy bearing molecule found in all living cells, it converts energy stored in food into chemical energy avilable to the cell.

Act of a substance dispersing into the air.

Process to achieve homeostasis, a stable physiological state, through physical or physiological alterations.

Ionizing radiation made of a stream of alpha particles (two protons + two neutrons).

A type of dementia marked by the loss of cognitive ability, affecting memory, thinking and behavior generally over a period of 10 to 15 years.

A class of biological compounds that are the second largest (after water) component of cells, muscles and other tissues.

A reduction in the oxygen carrying component (hemoglobin) of red blood cells with consequent deficiency of oxygen in the blood, leading to weakness and pallor.

Of or originating from human activity.

A molecule that inhibits oxidation of other molecules, reducing the production of free radicals, which limit the life of cells. Glutathione, vitamin C, A and E are common and important antioxidants.

Programmed cell death, usually in response to a disabled poisoned cell.

American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers is a global society advancing human well-being through sustainable technology for the built environment. ASHRAE's mission is to advance the arts and sciences of heating, ventilating, air conditioning and refrigerating to serve humanity and promote a sustainable world.

Chronic inflammatory disease of the airways. Asthma attacks are often triggered by exposure to allergens, and during an attack the airways spasm, alternatively swelling and narrowing, causing the individual to wheeze or gasp for air.

A condition in which arterial walls harden and narrow as the result of accumulating plaque within the inner lining of the artery.

The ossicles are the three bones (malleus, incus and stapes) located in the middle ear. They transmit sound from the air to the fluid-filled cochlea.

Autoimmune responses are a malfunction of the immune system in which an immune response is mounted against healthy tissue within the body.

Multiple glands of the endocrine system working together in a specific order.

Single-celled organisms, various species of which are involved in fermentation, putrefaction, infectious diseases or nitrogen fixation. Pathogenic bacteria cause disease due to a parasitic relationship with host cells.

Ionizing radiation made of a stream of beta particles (electrons).

A drug or compound that has a beneficial or adverse affect on living matter.

An enzyme-catalyzed process in which simple molecules are converted into more complex molecules, often to form proteins, vitamins and immunologically-active compounds.

Emotional disorder characterized by mood swings between manic periods of energy and depression.

Object which emits the maximum amount of electromagnetic radiation physically possible at a given temperature.

Urine or blood analysis that yields amount of the toxic chemical compounds, elements or their metabolites found in the body.

Aspergillosis is a fungus-induced disease which can take place in the eyes and ears and throughout the respiratory tract; Bronchopulmonary aspergillosis refers to a fungal infection occurring in the lungs.

Common protein produced by dogs that can produce allergic or asthmatic responses in humans.

An autoimmune disorder of the small intestine that occurs in those that are genetically predisposed.

The total type and arrangement of components in a cell, including complex system of metabolic reaction pathways, protein synthesis and a membrane, that vary depending on species and specialized function.

Chemical messengers that pass messages between nerve cells.

An acute infectious disease of the small intestine, caused by water or food contaminated with bacteria and characterized by profuse watery diarrhea, vomiting, muscle cramps and severe dehydration.

Repeated, continuous exposure to a substance or condition over an extended period from several years to a lifetime.

Internal clock that keeps the body's hormones and bodily processes on a roughly 24-hour cycle, even in continuous darkness.

Federal law designed to control air pollution on a national level. Requires the EPA to develop, set standards and enforce regulations that protect the public from airborne contaminants known to be hazardous to human health.

Testing conducted using consenting human subjects that tests the effectiveness and safety of a treatment, a diagnostic tool or chemical. Usually the last stage of testing before approval.

A class of chemicals that are required for certain enzymes to function.

An inclusive term to describe any feature that acts as a barrier to the cognition process, and can be used to describe various types of deficits, whether global, as with mental retardation or specific as when relating to learning disorders.

A group of proteins found in connective tissue including tendons, ligaments, skin, bone, blood vessels and intervertebral discs.

Cancer from uncontrolled cell growth in the colon or rectum (parts of the large intestine).

Two colors which, when combined, produce white light.

Photosensitive cells in the eye used to differentiate colors and brightness in moderate and high levels of illumination.

Inflammation of the conjunctiva, the lining on the inside of the eyelids and covering the white of the eyes.

List of contaminants created by the EPA that are known to occur in drinking water and may require regulation under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), based on research from the scientific community, but are not presently subject to regulation standards.

Temperature of an organism far with the body, such as in internal organs.

Type of inflammatory bowel disease that may affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract.

A unit of airflow that indicates how many cubic feet of air pass by a stationary point in one minute under standard conditions of temperature, pressure and humidity.

Unit of radioactivity corresponding to 37 billion atomic nucleus disintegration per second.

Although a number of psychiatric syndromes feature depressed mood as a main symptom, depressed mood is not necessarily a psychiatric disorder. Depressed mood may be a normal reaction to certain life events, a symptom of some medical conditions or a side effect of some drugs or medical treatments.

The deepest or innermost layer of the two main layers that make up the skin containing blood and lymph vessels, hair follicles and glands.

A group of diseases that impact the metabolism due to insufficient insulin production (Type 1) and/or high insulin resistance (Type 2), and a leading cause of death. Results in poor blood sugar control, frequent urination, increased thirst, increased hunger and other symptoms.

Particulate component of diesel exhaust, which includes diesel soot and aerosols such as ash particulates, metallic abrasion particles, sulfates and silicates.