Letter D

Diagnosis/Diagnostic The process of identifying a disease by the signs and symptoms.

Diaphragm Muscle at the base of the chest cavity that contracts and relaxes during breathing.

DNA Chromosomes are made of DNA, which is short for deoxyribonucleic acid. It is a nucleic acid molecule in the form of a twisted double strand (double helix). DNA is the substance that carries the instructions for nearly everything our cells do. Every time a cell gets ready to divide into two new cells, it must make a copy of its DNA. The process is not perfect, however, and sometimes mistakes happen.

DOH Department of Health (UK).

Drug resistance The cells' ability to resist the effects of a specific drug.

Dysphagia Difficulty in swallowing.

Dyspnea Difficult or painful breathing; shortness of breath.

Dysuria Difficult or painful urination.

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