The enzyme surface to which a substrate molecule binds to undergo a reaction.
Amino acid
Any organic acid containing one or more amino groups (NH2) and a carboxyl group (CO2H) forming the essential components of proteins.
Anti-HBe
This is an antibody produced in response to the Hepatitis B e antigen. In those who have recovered from acute hepatitis B infection, anti-HBe will be present along with anti-HBc and anti-HBs. In those with chronic hepatitis B, usually anti-HBe becomes positive when the virus goes into hiding or is eliminated from the body. In strains that do not make HBe antigen, anti-HBe is also positive.
Anti-hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc)
This is an antibody to the hepatitis B core antigen. The core antigen is found on virus particles but disappears early in the course of infection. This antibody is produced during and after an acute HBV infection and is usually found in chronic HBV carriers as well as those who have cleared the virus, and usually persists for life. Anti-HBc testing is either specific for the IgM antibody, which indicates acute infection, or measures total antibody, anti-HBC, which indicates past infection which could be either acute or chronic.
Association and dissociation constant
This is a useful measure to describe the strength of binding or affinity between receptors and their ligands. The concentration of ligand required is related to whether binding is strong or weak.
Association constant is a measure of the extent of a reversible association between two molecular species at equilibrium. Dissociation constant is the reciprocal.
ATP (Adenosine triphosphate)
Adenosine triphosphate is a nucleotide present in all living cells which serves as an energy source for many metabolic processes and is required for ribonucleic acid synthesis.
