ag-, agen-, act-, agi-, agit-

A medicine that prevents or retards the clotting of blood: It is said that those individuals who need an anticoagulant are told not to use cat's claw, , one of many species of plants having parts that look like the claw of a cat.

1. Qualitative or quantitative analysis of a substance: The use of an assay refers especially to the test of an ore or drug in order to determine its components and to be so analyzed.
2. A written document of the results of the examination of the components of a matter: Dr. Thompson wanted to read the assay that his students prepared in the lab.

To examine by trial or experiment; to put to a test: The scientist assayed the metal with the intention of determining its specific components.

An analyst who performs chemical tests on metals: Gary's father is an assayer whose job it is to examine metallic ores or alloys in order to find out the amount of gold or silver existing in them.

Determination of the potency or concentration of a compound by its effect upon animals, isolated tissues, or microorganisms, as compared with an analysis of its chemical or physical properties: A bioassay is an experimental technique for measuring quantitatively the strength of a biologically active chemical by its results on a living organism.

A bioassay uses living organisms to measure the quantity and efficacy, especially of a toxic quality, of a substance, factor, or condition.

• The vitamin activity of certain substances can be measured using bacterial cultures.
• The increase in bacterial numbers is compared against that achieved with known standards for vitamins.
• Plant growth hormones can be estimated by their effect in causing curvature of oat coleoptiles (a sheathlike structure that protects the developing plumule [first rudimentary leaves in the mature embryo and seedling] in grasses).

A large tank for growing microorganisms used in industrial production: A bioreactor is a fermentation chamber or vat that is used for growing biochemically active matter or microorganisms which are then used for making drugs or for recycling waste.

A microorganism created in a bioreactor and, through its biochemical reactions, can produce medically or commercially useful materials, e.g., beer from fermentation of yeast or insulin from genetically altered bacteria.

A living cell culture genetically engineered in a bioreactor can be used to produce materials useful for research in biology, medicine, and industrial processes.

In surgery, the clotting of a substance by applying chemicals: Chemocoagulation was necessary to stop the flow of blood when Jim was being operated.

To stir around and mix in all directions: Chuck was told to circumagitate the contents of the shaker in order to have a fantastic alcoholic drink.

The act of moving or stirring around or about: Circumagitation was need in order to have the closed can of paint mixed well before using.

To work or act together: Jack and Lynn coacted in raking up all the leaves on the lawn.

Relating to an activity done in agreement or cooperation; joint action: The two coactive students produced a wonderful result for their project in school.

Concerning how something is achieved in a joint effort: Jack and Jill worked coactively on their project for school and got it done ahead of time because they cooperated so well together.

The situation of acting together: The effective coactivity of the members of the chamber orchestra during the rehearsal was important for the success of the upcoming concert.

To shake or to mix together: The ingredients for the cake needed to be coagitated before being poured into the cake pan for baking.

A device that mixes or shakes substances together: In the kitchen, Susan used her mixer, or coagitator, for stirring up the different ingredients for her cupcakes.