Terminology
There are plenty of biology people out there who know what decarboxylation is and don't bat an eye when I say anaphylaxis. Us biology folk, however, are not in the majority. For this reason, I have provided a glossary of some of the scientific terms that you may encounter at this site. I hope that this allows you to better learn from the information within.
Amino Acids- the most basic molecules that comprise proteins
Anaphylaxis-physical shock experienced during a severe allergic reaction, such as some people experience with a bee sting.
Apoptosis- cell death
Asphyxiation- inability to breath
Cardiotoxic- having effects that are damaging to cardiac (heart) tissue
Depolarizing- having the effect of de-charging certain types of tissues that normally are charged (polarized). Examples are nerve and heart tissue.
Edema- fluid buildup in tissue
Endogenous- contained internally
Enervate- to send a nerve impulse to a body part
Envenomation- the act of injecting venom into something
Epinephrine- a neurotransmitter that is used to subdue anaphylaxis
Hemotoxic- having a toxic effect in the blood
Herpetology- the study of reptiles, in this case snakes
Intraperitoneal- administration by injection into the abdominal cavity
Mitochondria- the site of cellular respiration, where cell energy is produced
Necrosis- tissue death
Nephrotoxic- having a toxic effect in the kidneys
Neuron- A nerve cell
Neurotoxic- having a toxic effect nerve tissue
Neurotransmitter- a type of chemical that allows neurons to communicate with one another
Pathology- the study of diseases
Peptide Bonds- the type of bonds that attach amino acids together
Sarcomere- a structural unit of striated and cardiac muscle. It appears as a series of lines and bands in electron micrograph images
Smooth/Striated Muscle- smooth muscle is controlled by involuntary enervation, striated muscle is controlled by voluntary enervation. This means that animals do not have the ability to knowingly control smooth muscle, but can voluntarily control striated muscle
Subcutaneous - injection under the skin