mechanism has definitions from the fields of chemistry,philosophy
1
[ noun ] (chemistry) the atomic process that occurs during a chemical reaction

Examples

"he determined unique mechanisms for the photochemical reactions"

Used in print

(Francis J. Johnston and John E. Willard, "The...)

It would appear that it should be possible to determine unique mechanisms for the thermal and photochemical_reactions in both the liquid and gas phases and to determine values for activation_energies of some of the intermediate reactions of atoms and free_radicals , as_well_as information on the heat_of_dissociation of the carbon halogen bond .

(Jacob Robbins et al., "The thyroid-stimulating...)

The precise mechanism for organification of iodine in the thyroid is not as_yet completely understood .

It is not clear whether this system bears any resemblance to the in_vivo iodinating mechanism , and a system generating peroxide has not been identified in thyroid tissue .

The mechanism of this coupling has been studied in some detail with non-enzymatic systems in_vitro and can be simulated by certain di-iodotyrosine analogues ( Pitt-Rivers and James , 1958 ) .

Little is known of the synthetic mechanisms for formation of thyroglobulin .

2
[ noun ] the technical aspects of doing something

Synonyms

mechanics

Examples

"a mechanism of social control" "mechanisms of communication" "the mechanics of prose style"

Used in print

(Frank Oppenheimer, "Science and Fear-- A Discussion...)

In the life_sciences , there has been an enormous increase in our understanding of disease , in the mechanisms of heredity , and in bio - and physiological chemistry .

(E. Gellhorn, "Prolegomena to a theory of the emotions"...)

It is believed that drug therapy and electroshock involve the former and psychotherapy the latter mechanism .

(Joyce O. Hertzler, American Social Institutions;...)

The codes are mechanism for training in , and directing and enforcing , uniform social interaction , and for continually and publicly reasserting the solidarity of the group .

Related terms

performance

3
[ noun ] a natural object resembling a machine in structure or function

Examples

"the mechanism of the ear" "the mechanism of infection"

Used in print

(Jacob Robbins et al., "The thyroid-stimulating...)

Since the circulating thyroid_hormones are the amino_acids thyroxine and tri-iodothyronine ( cf. Section C ) , it is clear that some mechanism must exist in the thyroid_gland for their release from proteins before secretion .

These drugs have no effect on the iodide concentrating mechanism , but they inhibit organification .

4
[ noun ] (philosophy) the philosophical theory that all phenomena can be explained in terms of physical or biological causes
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