Amoeba
Amoeba: Also ameba. A single-celled (protozoan) organism that constantly changes shape. The word “ameba” is from the Greek “amoibe” meaning “change.” Ameba can infect the bowels to cause diarrhea and the liver to cause abscess formation.
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Amplification: An event that produces multiple copies of a gene or of any sequence of DNA. Gene amplification plays a role in cancer. Amplification can occur in vivo (in the living individual) or in vitro (in the laboratory).
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- Ampulla
Ampulla: In anatomy, a sac-like enlargement of a canal or duct. The ampulla of Vater is the enlargement of the ducts from the liver and pancreas at the point where they enter the small intestine. Ampulla in Latin means flask. An ampulla was a flask used in ancient Rome to hold ointment, perfume, and wine.
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Ampulla of Vater: A small projection into the duodenum through which bile and pancreatic secretions flow to mix with food for digestion.