research methods

Reactive Oxygen Species

highly reactive, oxygen-containing chemical molecules.

Lipid Peroxidation

the process where free radicals (reactive oxygen species) steal electrons from the lipids in cell membranes.

Superoxide Dismutase

an enzyme that alternately catalyzes the dismutation of the superoxide anion radical into normal molecular oxygen and hydrogen peroxide.

Glutathione

a powerful, naturally occurring antioxidant produced by your liver and found in almost every cell of your body.

Curcumin

the primary active, naturally occurring polyphenol found in the rhizomes (root) of the turmeric plant.

Free radical scavenger

a substance that neutralizes unstable, damaging molecules (free radicals) in your body or in materials.

Biomarker

measurable characteristics or substances in the body that indicate normal biological processes, pathogenic processes, or responses to a therapeutic intervention.

Free radical

an unstable, highly reactive atom or molecule with one or more unpaired electrons in its outer shell.

Concussion

a mild form of traumatic brain injury (TBI)

TBI, or traumatic brain injury

a disruption in normal brain function caused by an external physical force.

Symptoms

any subjective feeling, experience, or physical or mental change that you observe and report about your own body.

Axons

a long, slender projection of a nerve cell (neuron) that conducts electrical impulses away from the cell body.

Neurons

the fundamental building blocks of the nervous system.

Cognitive

the mental processes involved in acquiring, processing, storing, and applying knowledge.

Disulfiram

A chemical compound that inhibits the activity of certain enzymes.

Superoxide

A type of ROS, highly reactive molecule containing Oxygen that can damage cells if not neutralized.

Pupated

The stage in an insects life cycle when a larva transforms into a pupa.

Hydrogen peroxide

A pale blue chemical and ROS composed of Hydrogen and Oxygen.

Egg chambers

Structures in ovaries where eggs develop.

Apoptosis

Programmed cell death.

Endogenous

Having internal cause or origin.

Exogenous

Having external cause or origin.

Redox

A process in which one substance is reduced and another is oxidized.

Model organism

A species used to study biological processes.

Gene regulation

Control of when and where genes are activated.

Segmentation

Division of body into repeated units.

Evolution

The process by which populations of living organisms change their heritable traits over successive generations

Gene

The basic physical and functional unit of heredity