K CoronaIn solar-terrestrial terms, of the white-light corona (that is, the corona seen by the eye at a total solar eclipse), that portion which is caused by…
K FactorThe relative measure of a sensors ability to distinguish one object from another.
K-captureThe capture by an atom's nucleus of an orbital electron from the first K-shell surrounding the nucleus.
K-IndexA measure of the thunderstorm potential based on vertical temperature lapse rate, moisture content of the lower atmosphere, and the vertical extent of the…
K-type patch bayA patching facility designed for patching and monitoring of balanced digital data circuits that support data rates up to 1 Mb/s.
KA9QA popular implementation of TCP/IP and associated protocols for amateur packet radio systems.
Kahler diseaseA type of cancer that begins in plasma cells (white blood cells that produce antibodies).
Kalman filterA computational algorithm that processes measurements to deduce an optimum estimate of the past, present, or future state of a linear system by using a…
KanamycinAn antibiotic of the aminoglycoside family that poisons translation by binding to the ribosomes.
kanrKanamycin resistance gene. (See Selectable marker.)
Kaplan TurbineA type of turbine that has two blades whose pitch is adjustable. The turbine may have gates to control the angle of the fluid flow into the blades.
Kaposi sarcoma(kuh-POH-zee sar-KOH-muh) A type of cancer characterized by the abnormal growth of blood vessels that develop into skin lesions or occur internally.
Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus(kuh-POH-zee sar-KOH-muh-uh-SOH-see-ay-ted HER-peez-VY-rus) A type of herpesvirus that may cause Kaposi sarcoma (a rare cancer that can cause skin…
kappa chainOne of two classes of antibody light chains. The other is a lambda chain.
karenitecinA drug being studied in the treatment of cancer. It is a type of topoisomerase inhibitor. It is related to the anticancer drug camptothecin.
Karnofsky Performance StatusA standard way of measuring the ability of cancer patients to perform ordinary tasks. The Karnofsky Performance scores range from 0 to 100.
karyogamyThe fusion of nuclei or nuclear material that occurs at fertilization during sexual reproduction.
karyogramA diagrammatic representation of the full chromosome set of a species, highlighting characteristic physical features of individual chromosomes.
karyokinesisThe division of a cell nucleus. See: meiosis; mitosis.
KaryotypeAll of the chromosomes in a cell or an individual organism, visible through a microsope during cell division.
Katabatic WindA wind that is created by air flowing downhill.
KatafrontA front where the warm air descends the frontal surface (except in the low layers of the atmosphere).
KatakanaA character set that consists of symbols that are used in one of the two common Japanese phonetic alphabets, which is used primarily to write foreign…
kava kava(KAH-vuh KAH-vuh) An herb native to islands in the South Pacific. Substances taken from the root have been used in some cultures to relieve stress…
KBAbbreviation for kilobase (of single-stranded nucleic acid).
Kb (Kilobit)One thousand bits. Unit of measure for data transfer.
KB (Kilobyte)1,024 bytes. Unit of measure for computer storage.
kbpAbbreviation for kilobase pairs (of double-stranded DNA ).
kcatThe catalytic rate constant that characterizes an enzyme-catalysed reaction. The larger the kcat value, the faster the conversion of substrate into…
kcat/KmThe catalytic efficiency of an enzyme-catalysed reaction. The greater the value of kcat/Km, the more rapidly and efficiently the substrate is converted…
KeelThe main support of a vessel frame, extending from bow to stern. The part of the vessel that’s in the water.
Keep-Out ZoneA volume around a space asset, which is off limits to parties not owners of the asset. Keep-out zones could be negotiated or unilaterally declared.
keepaliveA network option that detects inactivity on a client-server connection and, if detected, terminates the connection.
keeperFor anglers, it is typically any fish that is worth taking home to eat. For lakes with special regulations, it can be fish of specified lengths that are…
Kelly bettingBetting a percentage of your bankroll equal to your percentage advantage. This is the optimal bet size.
keloid(KEY-loyd) A thick, irregular scar caused by excessive tissue growth at the site of an incision or wound.
kelpA type of seaweed. The stem-like parts of this plant have been used in some cultures to treat certain medical problems.
KelvinOne Kelvin degree is equivalent to one Celsius degree. The difference between the two temperature scales: All motion within an atom ceases at zero Kelvin…
kelvin (K)A unit of thermodynamic temperature, taken as one of the base units of the International System of Units (SI).
Kelvin Temperature ScaleAn absolute temperature scale in which a change of 1 Kelvin equals a change of 1 degree Celsius; 0°K is the lowest temperature on the Kelvin scale.
Kelvin WavesFluctuations in wind speed at the ocean surface at the Equator result in eastward propagating waves, known as Kelvin Waves.
Kelvin-Helmholtz WavesVertical waves in the air associated with wind shear across statically-stable regions.
Kelvin-Helmoltz wavesVertical waves in the air associated with wind shear across statically stable regions.
Kemstro(KEM-stroh) A drug that is used to treat certain types of muscle spasms and is being studied in the treatment of liver cancer.
Kendall effectA spurious pattern or other distortion in a facsimile record copy caused by unwanted modulation products arising from the transmission of a carrier…
Kentucky Consular Center (KCC)A U.S. Department of State facility located in Williamsburg, Kentucky. It gives domestic (U.S.
Keogh FundsA tax-deferred retirement-savings plan for small business owners or self-employed individuals who have earned income from their trade or business.
Keogh planA group of qualified retirement plans, including profit sharing and money purchase defined contribution plans and a defined benefit plan, is available to…
Kepivance(KEH-puh-vants) A form of keratinocyte growth factor (KGF) that is made in the laboratory.
Keppra(KEH-pruh) A drug used to treat seizures (involuntary muscle movements) caused by epilepsy (a group of brain disorders).
keratan sulfateA glycosaminoglycan (a type of polysaccharide) found in cartilage and in the cornea of the eye.
KeratinAn extremely tough protein substance found in hair, nails, skin, and cornea.
keratinocyte growth factor(keh-RA-tih-noh-site grohth FAK-ter) A natural substance that stimulates the growth of epithelial cells in the skin and in the lining of the mouth…
KeratinocytesCells that synthesize keratin and are found in the skin, hair, and nails. A fibrous protein is produced by keratinocytes and may be hard or soft.
keratoacanthoma(KAYR-uh-toh-AK-un-THOH-muh) A rapidly growing, dome-shaped skin tumor that usually occurs on sun-exposed areas of the body, especially around the head…
KerberosA security system that authenticates users. Kerberos doesn’t provide authorization to services or databases; it establishes identity at logon, which is…
KermitAn early generation protocol [a file-transfer and terminal-emulation program] developed for transfer of asynchronous data files, designed to help minimize…
KernelA module of a program that forms a logical entity or performs a unit function. Note: The most vulnerable portion of code in a secure operating system is a…
kernel-based virtual machineKVM is a Full virtualization kernel module which will be incorporated into future releases of Red Hat Enterprise Linux.
KerogenSolid, waxy mixture of rock is heated to high temperatures, the kerogen is vaporized.
KeroseneA type of heating fuel derived by refining crude oil that has a boiling range at atmospheric pressure from 400 degrees to 550 degrees F.
Kerr electro-optic effectThe creation of birefringence in a liquid that is not otherwise birefringent, by subjecting the liquid to an electric field.
Ketalar(KEH-tuh-lar) A drug used to cause a loss of feeling and awareness and to induce sleep in patients having surgery.
ketamine(KEH-tuh-meen) A drug used to cause a loss of feeling and awareness and to induce sleep in patients having surgery.
ketamine hydrochloride(KEH-tuh-meen HY-droh-KLOR-ide) A drug used to cause a loss of feeling and awareness and to induce sleep in patients having surgery.
ketoconazole(kee-ta-KOE-na-zol) A drug that treats infection caused by a fungus. It is also used as a treatment for prostate cancer because it can block the…
ketone(KEE-tone) A type of chemical substance used in perfumes, paints, solvents, and found in essential oils (scented liquid taken from plants).
KetonemiaThe presence of recognizable concentrations of ketone bodies in the plasma.
KetonesAcids produced when the body breaks down fat or fuel. This occurs when there is not enough insulin to permit glucose to enter the cells and fuel them or…
ketorolacA drug that belongs to a family of drugs called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents. It is being studied in cancer prevention.