Glossary of terms Q-T

Ribonucleic acid (RNA):

A substance found in the cell nucleus which is responsible for regulating which genes are kept active.  It serves as the intermediary between genes and the proteins that they code for.

SOD (Superoxide Dismutase):

An enzyme that inactivates excess free radicals, preventing them from damaging cell membranes.  Mutations in the first SOD (SOD1) has been linked to familial forms of MND.

Synapse:

The gap across which a nerve impulse passes from an axon terminal to a neuron, a muscle cell, or a gland cell.