Deactivation
Deactivation
Deactivation (/diːˌæktɪˈveɪʃən/) refers to the process of making something inactive or ineffective. In the medical field, it often refers to the cessation of a function or activity of a biological entity such as a gene, enzyme, or cell.
Etymology
The term "deactivation" is derived from the prefix "de-", meaning "reverse or remove", and "activation", which refers to the process of making something active or operative. Thus, "deactivation" essentially means the reversal or removal of activation.
Related Terms
- Activation: The process of making something active or operative.
- Inactivation: The process of making something inactive, especially a section of DNA.
- Reactivation: The process of making something active again after it has been deactivated.
- Enzyme Inhibition: A process in which a molecule binds to enzymes and decreases their activity, often leading to deactivation.
- Gene Silencing: The process by which genes are "turned off" or deactivated in a cell.
Medical Context
In the medical context, deactivation can refer to several processes. For instance, in Genetics, deactivation may refer to the process of turning off a gene, preventing it from producing a protein. This is often a normal part of gene regulation, but can also be artificially induced for research or therapeutic purposes.
In Pharmacology, deactivation can refer to the process by which the body neutralizes or eliminates a drug, often through metabolic processes in the liver. This is an important factor in determining the duration and intensity of a drug's effects.
In Immunology, deactivation can refer to the process by which the immune system turns off an immune response, preventing overreaction and damage to the body's own tissues.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Deactivation
- Wikipedia's article - Deactivation
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