A complex nucleic acid in living cells that is concerned, along with ribsomes, with protein synthesis. Most RNA is synthesised in the nucleus and then distributed to various parts of the cytoplasm. An RNA molecule consists of a long chain of nucleotides of alternating ribose sugar units and phosphate groups with bases adenine, guanine and …
Author Archives: Brian Hopkins
Risk mechanisms
Translation of risk factors into an individual‚was biological functioning (e.g., maternal alcohol intake that adversely affects fatal brain development) or behaviour (e.g., inadequate information processing, emotion regulation, coping, attention deployment, emotional reaction as a consequence of insecurity, and lack of interest in exploration as a consequence of adverse experiences) . See ‚aaAt-risk‚aa concept, Causal pathway, …
Ritalin
The trade name for methylphenidate (MPH), an amphetamine-like drug that is often prescribed to control the symptoms of ADHD. Paradoxically, methylphenidate is a stimulant that arouses the brain. It has its effect on ADHD by increasing the arousal of the part of the brain that controls inhibition, allowing ADHD children to exhibit inhibitory control over …
Risk factors
Characteristics of individuals or influences that increase the probability or risk of some negative outcome (e.g., cerebral palsy or a learning disorder). Typically, they are distinguished in terms of biological risk factors (e.g., preterm birth) and environmental or social risk factors (e.g., poverty, which is a risk factor for poor educational achievement). See ‘At-risk’ concept, …
Risk-benefit ratios
An analysis of the potential advantages and disadvantages of research participation for any particular individual . See Beneficience
Rigidity
Lacking flexibility; often observed in actions that are perseverant and narrowly focused.
Rights
freedoms people are entitled to without interference from authorities, governments, or political institutions.
Ribose
A pentose (i.e., monosaccharide) sugar found in RNA and often combined with phosphate, which acts as an intermediary in various metabolic cycles. See Deoxyribose, DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid), Metabolism, Nucleotide, RNA
Ribosomes
These small organelles form the machinery of the cell that makes synthesises protein, and are located on the ‘rough’ endoplasmic reticulum of eukaryotic cells. They consist of proteins and ribosomal RNA (rRNA), and receive messenger RNA (mRNA) copied from DNA, as well as amino acids. They translate the mRNA through using its coded instructions to …
Rhythmical stereotypies
Rapid, repetitive movements in infancy displayed, for example, in rocking, kicking, or banging. Rocking on all fours, for example, is shown just before the transition to crawling. Thus, repetition of rhythmical movement patterns may herald the onset of a developmental transition in healthy infants . See Crawling, Transition