Glossary

Master Environmental Impact Report

Pigment, as typically produced by specialized epidermal cells called melanocytes.

A cancer that begins in skin cells called melanocytes and spreads to internal organs.

The temperature at which a solid substance changes to the liquid state.

The temperature at which a doublestranded DNA or RNA molecule denatures into separate single strands. The Tm is characteristic of each DNA species and gives an indication of its base composition. DNAs rich in G:C base pairs are more resistant to thermal denaturation than A:T rich DNA since three hydrogen bonds are formed between G and C, but only two between A and T.

Minimum Essential Medium

A barrier, usually thin, that permits the passage only of particles up to a certain size or of special nature.

A barrier, usually thin, that only permits the passage of particles of a certain size or special nature. Filtration membranes are thin polymer films that are permeable to water and other fluids:1.Microporous membrane filters have measurable pore structures that physically remove particles or microorganisms larger than pore size.2.Ultrafiltration membranes (sometimes called molecular sieves) also remove molecules larger than a specified molecular weight.3.Reverse osmosis membranes are permeable to water molecules and very little else, rejecting even dissolved ions and endotoxins in water.

A matrix that removes particles larger than the specified pore size.

A pressure or vacuum driven separation process in which particulate matter larger than 1 micrometer is rejected by an engineered barrier, primarily through a size-exclusion mechanism, and which has a measurable removal efficiency of a target organism that can be verified through the application of a direct integrity test. This definition includes the common membrane technologies of microfiltration, ultrafiltration, nanofiltration, and reverse osmosis.

Any device or recording medium into which binary data can be stored and held, and from which the entire original data can be retrieved. The two types of memory are main; e.g., ROM, RAM, and auxiliary; e.g., tape, disk.

Microelectro-Mechanical Systems

Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia, Type 1

Austrian biologist, born in 1822 and died in 1884, who laid the foundations for the science of genetics, Mendel was a monk whose controlled experiments with breeding peas in the monastery garden led him to conclude that the heritable units we now call genes were not blends of parental traits but separate physical entities passed individually in specific proportions from one generation to the next. Mendel's discoveries were ignored for several decades, but other biologists finally recognized their significance early in the 20th century.

Two laws summarizing Gregor Mendel’s theory of inheritance. The Law of Segregation states that each hereditary characteristic is controlled by two ‘factors’ (now called alleles), which segregate and pass into separate germ cells. The Law of Independent Assortment states that pairs of ‘factors’ segregate independently of each other when germ cells are formed.

Manner in which genes and traits are passed from parents to children. Examples of Mendelian inheritance include autosomal dominant, autosomal recessive, and sex-linked genes.

A computer display listing a number of options; e.g., functions, from which the operator may select one. Sometimes used to denote a list of programs.

Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing/Piping

The growing point or area of rapidly dividing cells at the tip of a stem, root, or branch.

Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value

Manufacturing Execution System

The various modules that compose the functions executed in a MES (Manufacturing Execution System ) environment.

Modified Emulsion Solvent Evaporation

Middle layer of a group of cells derived from the inner cell mass of the blastocyst; it gives rise to bone, muscle, and connective tissue.

An organism that grows best in the temperature range of 20°C to 50°C (68°F to 122°F); optimal growth often occurs at about 37°C (98.6°F).