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O

Oedema

excessive accumulation of fluid in the tissues or body cavities; often results in swelling of the area


Oestrogen

female sex hormone secreted by the ovary


Olfaction

scientific name for the sensation of smell


Oliguria

reduced urine output


Omnivore

animal that eats both plants and meat


Organ

a group of tissues that perform a particular function


Organic substance

a substance that is derived from a living organism or contains hydrocarbon groups, for example fats and carbohydrates


Orthopnoea

breathing in an upright position, usually standing; the elbows are abducted to minimise compression of the chest wall


Osmoregulation

the maintenance of optimal osmotic pressure by controlling water and salt content of body fluids


Osmosis

the movement of water from an area of low concentration to one of high concentration through a semipermeable membrane, in order to equalise the concentrations on each side of the membrane


Osmotic pressure

the pressure needed to prevent osmosis from occurring; depends on the number of particles in a solution


Osteoblast

bone-forming cell


Osteoclast

cell that breaks down bone


Osteocyte

bone cell


Ototoxicity

toxic to the ear, specifically the vestibulcochlear system (inner ear)


Outbreeding

breeding from two animals that are not related


Oxidation

1. reaction in which oxygen molecules are added to a chemical substance. 2. loss of electrons.


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