Glossary

A unit of length equal to one millionth of a meter (μm) or thousandth of a millimeter (25µm are approximately 0.001 inch.). Bacteria range in size from 0.5µm to 20µm. In deionized water the typical particle size of importance is less than 0.2 microns.

One-millionth of a meter.

Chromosome fragments that are not incorporated into the nucleus at cell division.

Organisms (microbes) observable only through a microscope. Larger, visible types are called organisms.

Organisms (microbes) observable only through a microscope. Larger, visible types are called organisms.

A microbe – A microscopic plant or animal, such as a bacterium, protozoan, yeast, virus, or algae.

A CPU existing on a single IC. Frequently synonymous with a microcomputer.

A form of VNTR (Variable Number Tandem Repeat). Specifically, a segment of DNA characterized by the occurrence of a variable number of copies (from a few up to 30 or so) of a sequence of around 5 or fewer bases (called a repeat unit). A typical microsatellite is the repeat unit AC, which occurs at approximately 100 000 different sites in a typical mammalian genome. At any one site (locus), there are usually several different “alleles,” each identifiable according to the number of repeat units. These alleles can be detected by PCR, using primers designed from the unique sequence that is located on either side of the microsatellite. When the PCR product is run on an electrophoretic gel, alleles are seen to differ in length in units equal to the size of the repeat unit, e.g., if the primers correspond to the unique sequence immediately on either side of the microsatellite and are each 20 bases long, and an individual is heterozygous for an AC microsatellite with one allele comprising 5 repeats and the other comprising 6 repeats, the heterozygote will exhibit two bands on the gel, one band being 20 + (2 x 5) + 20 = 50 bases long, and the other allele being 20 + (2 x 6) + 20 = 52 bases long. Microsatellites have been the standard DNA marker: they are easily detectable by PCR, and they tend to be evenly located throughout the genome. Thousands have been mapped in many different species.

A minute filament in living cells that is composed of the protein tubulin and occurs singly, in pairs, triplets or bundles. Microtubules help cells to maintain their shape; they also occur in cilia, flagella and the centrioles, and form the spindle during nuclear division.

The hardware, computer instructions, and data which provide the infrastructure used by other system modules

Minimum Ignition Energy

The transfer of digital information from one hardware/software configuration to another or from one generation of computer technology to a subsequent generation. The purpose of migration is to preserve the integrity of digital objects and to retain the ability for clients to retrieve, display, and otherwise use them in the face of constantly changing technology.For convenience, migration can be sub-divided into the categories format migration (conversion), system migration, and media migration.

(EMEA – CHMP) Release of substances (leachables) from the plastic component into the content of the container under conditions which reproduce those of the intended use.

Military Standardization Document (U.S. Department of Defense)

A surface finish produced on sheet and plate. Characteristic of the ground finish used on the rolls in fabrication.

To simplify the calculation of ion exchange resin capacity, total dissolved ion concentrations are usually converted into equivalent concentrations of calcium carbonate, the most common source of dissolved ions in water. Resin capacity is normally given in ppm as CaCO3 or in grains per gallon as CaCO3 (7,000 grains = 1 pound). However, it may also be given as milliequivalents per liter (meq/L). Since calcium carbonate has a molecular weight of 100 and an equivalent weight of 50 (because calcium has a valence of two) ppm as CaCO3 can be converted to meq/L by dividing by 50. Thus, 1 ppm of CaCO3 = 0.02 meg/L.

A metric unit of mass. One gram equals 1000 mg. One U.S. ounce equals 28,349.52 mg.

A term used to report chemical analysis. Milligrams per liter refer to the milligrams of the compound or element present in one liter (1000 milliliters) of water. Another term often used is parts per million (ppm) which is the same for substances in water. 1 mg/l = 1000 ug/l = 1 ppm.

Minute

The actual localized control space limited by a defined enclosure that separates or isolates the inside from the outside environment, such that the transfer of potential contamination from one side to the other is minimized or completely eliminated, depending on the design. Minienvironments are not always isolators.

A term used to describe a medium sized computer.

A risk is minimal where the probability and magnitude of harm or discomfort anticipated in the proposed research are not greater, in and of themselves, than those ordinarily encountered in daily life or during the performance of routine physical or psychological examinations or tests. For example, the risk of drawing a small amount of blood from a healthy individual for research purposes is no greater than the risk of doing so as part of routine physical examination. The definition of minimal risk for research involving prisoners differs somewhat from that given for noninstitutionalized adults.45CFR46.102(i), 45CFR46.303 (d), and OHRP Guidebook, Chapter 6, Section E.

A tissue culture medium similar to Eagle basal medium but with different amounts and a few exclusions (antibiotics and phenol red).

(ICH Q5A (R1)) The shortest period for which a treatment step will be maintained.