Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.

A heritable change in the DNA that occurred in a germ cell (a cell destined to become an egg or in the sperm) or the zygote (the conceptus) at the single-cell stage. When transmitted to a child, a germline mutation is incorporated in every cell of their body. Germline mutations play a key role in genetic diseases. They play a role, too,…

1. A cell or group of cells (called a primordium) capable of developing into an organ, a part or an organism in its entirety. Eggs and sperm are germ cells. 2. A pathogenic a microorganism. A microbe capable of causing disease. The germ theory of disease held, correctly, that these minute bodies can cause disease. 3. The figurative source or wellspring. Dr. Watson told…

The branch of medicine concerned with the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of disease in older people and the problems specific to aging. From the Greek “geron” meaning “old man” + “iatreia” meaning “the treatment of disease.”.

The branch of medicine concerned with the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of disease in older people and the problems specific to aging. Also called geriatrics. From the Greek “geron” meaning “old man” + “iatreia” meaning “the treatment of disease.”.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease.

An abnormal and persistent fear of growing old. Sufferers of this fear experience undue anxiety about aging even though they may be in good health–physically, economically and otherwise. They may worry about the loss of their looks, the loss of independence, inactivity after retirement, impaired mobility, the onset of disease, and confinement in a nursing home. Modern…

An abnormal and persistent fear of crossing bridges. Sufferers of this phobia experience undue anxiety even though they realize their fear is irrational. Their fear may result partly from the fear of enclosure (claustrophobia) or the fear of heights (acrophobia). Phobic drivers may worry about being in an accident in busy traffic or losing control…

The Latin word for the knee. When the knee is referred to in medicine, it is just called the knee. However, the word “genu” is also used in medicine as in: genu recurvatum (hyperextension of the knee), genu valgum (knock knee) and genu varum (bowleg). The knee (or genu, if you are into Latin) is…

The genetic constitution (genome) of a cell, an individual, or an organism. The genotype is distinct from the expressed features, or phenotype, of the cell, individual, or organism. The genotype of a person is that person’s genetic makeup. It can pertain to all genes or to a specific gene.

Pertaining to the genital and urinary systems.