relaxation of smooth muscle

A process in which the extent of smooth muscle contraction is reduced. Smooth muscle differs from striated muscle in the much higher actin/myosin ratio, the absence of conspicuous sarcomeres and the ability to contract to a much smaller fraction of its resting length.

mitochondrion-derived vesicle

A vesicle derived via budding from a mitochondrion. These vesicles often contain inner membrane and, much more rarely, cristae.

flavonoid glucuronidation

The modification of a flavonoid by the conjugation of glucuronic acid. The resultant flavonoid glucuronosides are often much more water-soluble than the precursor.

obsolete gallstone formation

OBSOLETE. The formation of gallstones, hard, crystal-like accretions of cholesterol and bile pigments which develop when bile contains too much cholesterol and not enough bile.

xenobiotic glucuronidation

The modification of a xenobiotic substance by the conjugation of glucuronic acid. The resultant glucuronosides are often much more water-soluble than the xenobiotic precursor, enabling efficient excretion.

priming of cellular response to stress

The process that enables cells to respond in a more rapid and robust manner than nonprimed cells to much lower levels of a stimulus indicating the organism is under stress.

smooth muscle contraction

A process in which force is generated within smooth muscle tissue, resulting in a change in muscle geometry. Force generation involves a chemo-mechanical energy conversion step that is carried out by the actin/myosin complex activity, which generates force through ATP hydrolysis. Smooth muscle differs from striated muscle in the much higher actin/myosin ratio, the absence of conspicuous sarcomeres and the ability to contract to a much smaller fraction of its resting length.

cellular glucuronidation

The modification of an organic chemical by the conjugation of glucuronic acid. The substances resulting from glucuronidation are known as glucuronosides (or glucuronides) and are often much more water-soluble than the non-glucuronic acid-containing precursor.

non-sensory hair organization

A process that is carried out at the cellular level which results in the assembly, arrangement of constituent parts, or disassembly of non-sensory hairs. These hairs are polarized cellular extensions that cover much of the insect epidermis.

obsolete cathepsin S activity

OBSOLETE. Catalysis of the hydrolysis of peptide bonds. Similar to cathepsin L, but with much less activity on the terminal bond of Z-Phe-Arg-NHMec, and more activity on the terminal bond of Z-Val-Val-Arg-Xaa compounds.