Essay/Term paper: Glossary and definitions

Essay, term paper, research paper:  Science Reports

Glossary and Definitions


Distribution:

Drug distribution is the process by which a drug reversibly leaves the blood
stream and enters the interstitium (extracellular fluid) and/or the cells of the
tissues. The delivery of a drug from the plasma to the interstitium primarily
depends on blood flow, capillary permeability, the degree of binding of the drug
to plasma and tissue proteins, and the relative hydrophobicity of the drug.

Excipient:

Vehicle. A more or less inert substance added in a prescription as a diluent or
vehicle or to give form or consistency when the remedy is given in pill form;
simple syrup, aromatic powder, honey, and various elixirs are examples.

Gel:

A colloidal state in which the molecules of the dispersed phase form a three-
dimensional structure in the continuous phase to produce a semisolid material
such as a jelly. For example, a warm, dilute(2 percent) solution of gelatin(a
protein mixture) forms, on cooling, a stiff gel in which the molecules of the
continuous phase are trapped in the holes of a "brush-heap" like structure of
the gelatin. Administered orally.

Microemulsion:

Microemulsions are thermodynamically stable, optically transparent, isotropic
mixtures of a biphasic oil-water system stabilized with surfactants. The
diameter of droplets in a microemulsion may be in the range of 100 A to 1000 A.
Microemulsion may be formed spontaneously by agitating the oil and water phases
with carefully selected surfactants. The type of emulsion produced depends upon
the properties of the oil and surfactants utilized.

Ointment:

Semisolid preparations intended for topical application. Most ointments are
applied to the skin, although they may also be administered ophtalmically,
nasally, aurally, rectally, or vaginally. With a few exceptions, ointments are
applied for their local effect on the tissue membrane rather than for systematic
effects.

Professional skills:

Body of systematic scientific knowledge, manual dexterity and deftness,
proficiency, resulting from training, practice and experience particular of an
individual who has completed the formal education and examination required for
membership in a profession.

Water:

A clear, colorless, odorless and tasteless liquid, H2O that is essential for
most plant and animal life and is most widely used of all solvents. Any of the
various forms of water, as rain. A bodily fluid, as urine, perspiration or
tears. Any of various liquids that contain and somewhat resemble water.
Naturally occurring water exerts its solvent effect on most substances it
contacts and thus is impure and contains varying amounts of dissolved inorganic
salts, usually sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium iron, chlorides, sulfates
and bicarbonates as well as dissolved and undissolved organic matter and
microorganisms.