Glossary

Term	Definition
Oligoclonal bands	Discrete bands observed on an electrophoretic gel as a result of a patients sample being analyzed by protein electrophoresis
Oncogene	Genetic material that is able to produce a malignant change in a cell; several have been identifited in human tissue as potential causes of cancer. Certain oncogenes may play a role in normal growth and development; if they are damaged or mutated, cancer may result.
Opportunistic Infection	Infection that affects people with suppressed immune systems
Oral	Pertaining to the mouth
Organ	A specific stucture in the body that performs one or more functions, such as the heart, lungs or liver
Osteoblast	Specialized bone cell that produces and deposits the material (mostly collagen) that forms new bone tissue
Osteoclast	Specialized bone cell that secretes enzymes that break down bone tissue; the cell then resorbs the dissolved bone material.
Osteomalacia	A bone disease that occurs in adults when a prolonged period of vitamin D deficiency results in soft, weak bones; when this condition occurs in childhood, it is called rickets.
Ova	Also known as: Ovuml Egg
Over-expressed	Increased level (amounts) of a gene that results in the production of more than the normal amount of protein
Ovum	Also known as: Ova (plural) Egg
Oxidative Stress	Damage to cells in the body caused by free radicals; free radicals, groups of atoms containing an oxygen atom and a free electron, can damage and sometimes destroy cells.