C
calorie [kal' uh ree]
The amount of heat energy needed to raise the temperature of one gram of water 1°Centegrade.
cancer [can sir]
A type of disease characterized by abnormal cell division. Cancer may spread to other parts of the body.
carbohydrates [kar bo hi' drates]
Compounds of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen formed by photosynthesis and stored in plants; this category includes sugars, starches and cellulose.
carbon monoxide (CO)
a poisonous gas with one molecule of carbon and one of oxygen that can compete with and replace oxygen in the body, leading to tissue damage and death.
carcinogens [car' sih no ginz]
chemicals that cause cancer
cardiovascular [kard e o vas cue lur]
relating to the heart and blood vessels
cell [sel]
The basic structural unit of all living organisms. Cells usually contain a nucleus, cytoplasm and special organelles with specific functions.
Celsius [Sel see us]
The international temperature scale on which water freezes at 0º and boils at 100º. Compare this to the Fahrenheit temperature scale where water freezes at 32º and boils at 212º (ºC means "degrees Celsius", ºF means "degrees Fahrenheit"). To convert Fahrenheit to Celsius use this equation: (Temperature in ºF - 32) X (5 ? 9). To convert Celsius to Fahrenheit use this equation: (Temperature in ºC X (9 ? 5) + 32.
chlorine [clor een]
A chemical element used to disinfect water
cholesterol [kuh les' tuh rawl]
A soft, waxy substance found in animal tissue and fat. Too much cholesterol can cause fat to build up inside the artery walls which leads to decreased blood flow and increases the risk of stroke and heart disease.
colon [ko lun]
The large intestine, which absorbs water from the body's waste products
contaminant [kon tam i nunt]
Any substance not normally found in an environment that potentially can have harmful effects on that environment; an impurity that cause harm to living organisms or the environment it occupies or with which it comes into contact.
contamination [kon tam i nay shun]
Anything that makes a substance unclean, impure, or polluted.
constipation [con sti pay shun]
A condition where bowel movements are infrequent or incomplete, usually because of lack of moisture in the stool
control fish [cun trol fish]
A fish that is NOT subject to a procedure or agent, and that is usually being maintained in an identical manner as the test fish, except that it is not subjected to the test compound or procedure.
crevasse [kri vas']
A deep crack, for example in the ice of a glacier.