Glossary
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pathogenicCapable of causing disease. | |
penicillinaseThe first identified β-lactamase. It hydrolyses and destroys penicillin but not other β-lactam antibiotics such as cephalosporins. | |
penicillin-binding protein 2a (abbreviated to PBP2a)A penicillin-binding protein with low affinity for penicillin and other β-lactams. | |
penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs)Bacterial enzymes that are essential for bacterial cell wall synthesis. They are the target of β-lactam antibiotics. | |
peptidoglycanA major component of bacterial cell walls. A large polymer, consisting of sugars and amino acids, that forms a mesh-like layer outside the bacterial cell membrane. | |
phage therapyTreatment for bacterial infections that exploits the ability of bacteriophages to lyse and kill the bacteria they infect. | |
pharmacological propertiesThe characteristics of a drug that relate to how it is used and its effects in the body. | |
pH indicatorA chemical compound that changes colour in solution, depending on the pH (acidity) of the solution they are mixed with. | |
phytochemicalChemicals produced by plants. Many phytochemicals have antibacterial properties. | |
pilusA thin hollow tube extension of the bacterial cell wall that connects bacteria and is involved in horizontal gene transfer via conjugation. | |
plasmidA circular, non-chromosomal piece of DNA often carrying genes associated with a particular function, e.g. antibiotic resistance. | |
point-of-care (POC)‘point-of-care is the specific location at which a patient is presenting with illness – this could be at home, or in a range of primary and secondary healthcare settings. Point-of-care diagnosis therefore takes place close to the patient, rather than at a physically removed central laboratory.’
Bailey, S. (2017) ‘What do we mean by point of care?’, Longitude Prize, 4 May 2017 [Blog]. Available at https://longitudeprize.org/blog-post/longitude-prize-what-do-we-mean-point-care (Accessed 28 February 2018). | |
polymerase chain reaction (PCR)A laboratory technique that permits the analysis of short DNA sequences in a sample. PCR is used to amplify short sections of DNA for analysis. | |
porinA transmembrane protein complex that allows the movement of small molecules across the bacterial outer membrane. | |
primary barrierSanitation and hygiene barrier that prevents initial contact with faeces. For example, providing people with access to flushing toilets. | |
primary metabolitesA type of metabolite directly involved in growth and development. | |
prokaryotesOne of the two main categories of living things (the other is eukaryotes). Prokaryotic cells lack a nucleus, mitochondria and other membrane-bound organelles. | |
prophylacticallyGiving a medicine or treatment to a healthy individual in order to prevent disease occurring. | |
proteinA large molecule consisting of long chains of amino acids that performs many essential functions within cells. | |
public health‘the art and science of preventing disease, prolonging life and promoting health through the organized efforts of society’ (Winslow, C.-E. A. (1920) ‘The untilled fields of public health’, Science, vol. 51, no. 1306, pp. 23–33). | |