chain reaction

chain reaction

n.

1. A series of events in which each induces or influences the next.

2. A series of chemical reactions in which one product of a reacting set is a reactant in the following set.

3. A multistage nuclear reaction, especially a self-sustaining series of fissions in which the release of neutrons from the splitting of one atom leads to the splitting of others.

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chain reaction,

1 (in chemistry) a reaction that proceeds through one or more reactive intermediates; one of the required reactive intermediates (usually free radicals) is formed in each step of the reaction. Examples include the polymerization of organic monomers into plastics or in the free radical halogenation of hydrocarbons.

2 (in physics) a reaction that perpetuates itself by the proliferating fission of nuclei and the release of atomic particles that cause more nuclear fissions.

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reaction

1. opposite action or counteraction; the response of a part to stimulation.

2. the phenomena caused by the action of chemical agents; a chemical process in which one substance is transformed into another substance or substances.

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chain reaction

one which is self-propagating; a chemical process in which each time a free radical is destroyed a new one is formed.

coupled reaction

one in which the free energy released by one chemical reaction drives the other reaction.

dark reaction

photosynthetic reaction which fixes CO₂ into sugar and which occurs without exposure to light. Called also Calvin cycle.

reaction of degeneration

the reaction to electrical stimulation of muscles whose nerves have degenerated, consisting of loss of response to a faradic stimulation in a muscle, and to galvanic and faradic stimulation in the nerve.

delayed reaction

a reaction, such as an allergic reaction, occurring hours to days after exposure to an inducer.

false negative reaction

an erroneously negative reaction to a test.

false positive reaction

an erroneously positive reaction to a test.

first set reaction

see rejection.

immune reaction

1. immune response; see also immunity.

2. formation of a papule and areola without development of a vesicle following smallpox vaccination.

lengthening reaction

reflex elongation of extensor muscles that permits flexion of a limb.

leukemic reaction, leukemoid reaction

a peripheral blood picture resembling leukemia or indistinguishable from it on the basis of morphological appearance alone, characterized by immature leukocytes in the blood.

reaction pattern analysis

designed to replace archaic, non-specific descriptions of the reactions of the skin to noxious influences; recommended categories are (1) perivascular dermatitis, (2) interface dermatitis, (3) vasculitis, (4) nodular and diffuse dermatitis, (5) intradermal vesicular and pustular dermatitis, (6) subepidermal vesicular and pustular dermatitis, (7) perifolliculitis, folliculitis and furunculosis, (8) fibrosing dermatitis, (9) panniculitis, (10) atrophic dermatosis, (11) mixed reaction patterns.

second set reaction

see rejection.

reaction specificity

lack of production of by-products in enzymatic reactions with yields of products being nearly 100%.

Strauss reaction

development of suppurative peritonitis, localized to the scrotal sac, in the guinea pig after the intraperitoneal injection of material containing Burkholderia mallei.

stress reaction

1. alarm reaction.

2. gross stress reaction.

reaction time

the time elapsing between the application of a stimulus and the resulting reaction.

wheal-flare reaction

a cutaneous sensitivity rection to skin injury or administration of antigen, due to histamine production and marked by edematous elevation and erythematous flare.