Back cross to recessiveidentification of the recessive carrier can be done by a test mating with a known homozygous recessive animal. This will determine if the other animal is carrying a recessive gene. If they are carrying a recessive gene, then a percentage of the animals show the recessive characteristic. If they are not a recessive carrier then the recessive characteristic will not appear. We will use the Labrador as an example at the end of the glossary. |
Back scatterscattered radiation which travels in the opposite direction to the primary beam |
Bacteraemiathe presence of bacteria in the blood |
Bacteriaprokaryotic single-celled organism. Ranges in size from 0.3µm-10 µm |
Bactericidalan agent that kills bacteria |
Bacteriostaticprevents bacteria from multiplying but does not kill them |
Barrier nursingutilisation of protective clothing and isolation to prevent transmission of disease from hospitalised animals |
Basophiltype of granular white blood cell |
Biliarypertaining to the bile duct |
Bilirubinyellow green bile pigment which results from the breakdown of red blood cells |
Bilirubinuriathe presence of bilirubin in the urine |
Binary fissionthe replication of bacteria |
Biological vectorsthe organism undergoes part of its lifecycle inside the host |
Blood brain barriera semipermeable membrane that keeps circulating blood separate from cerebrospinal fluid and the brain |
Blood plasmafluid surrounding the blood cells and transported by the blood-vascular system |
Bolusa ball of chewed food bound together with saliva that is formed in the mouth by the action of the tongue |
Brachycephalichaving a short, broad skull, e.g. boxers, bulldogs, pugs, Persian cats, lionhead rabbits. These animals tend to have overlong soft palates, excessive soft tissue in their oral cavity and pharynx, smaller tracheal diameters than expected, and narrow nares. |
Bradycardiaa slower than normal heart rate |
Bradypnoeaa slower than normal respiratory rate |
Breathing |
Buffera substance which is able to resist change in the pH of a solution so that the pH remains constant |
Buffer solutiona solution which will maintain body pH due to the release or absorption of hydrogen ions to balance any loss or gain. Carbon dioxide only partially dissolves in solution, and this means that it can act as a buffer. If more hydrogen is present then it will be combined with bicarbonate and converted to water and carbon dioxide. Water will be lost through the kidneys and carbon dioxide will be lost in exhaled air. Alternatively, if metabolic alkalosis is present, then carbon dioxide will be combined with water and converted to bicarbonate and hydrogen ions, to maintain the pH. |