prostacyclin (ËprÉstÉËsaÉªklÉªn) n (Biochemistry) biochem any of several prostaglandins produced in the blood vessels, causing vasodilation and inhibiting platelet aggregation. prosâ¢taâ¢cyâ¢clin (ËprÉs tÉËsaÉª klÉªn) n. a prostaglandin, C20H32O5, that specifically inhibits the formation of blood clots.
This article is about the animal. For other uses, see Otter (disambiguation). Otters are carnivorous mammals in the subfamily Lutrinae. The 13 extant otter species are all semiaquatic, aquatic or marine, with diets based on fish and invertebrates. Lutrinae is a branch of the weasel family Mustelidae, which also includes badgers, honey badgers, martens, minks, polecats, and wolverines.
Mongooses also have receptors for acetylcholine that, like the receptors in snakes, are shaped so it is impossible for snake neurotoxin venom to attach to them. Mongooses are one of four known mammalian species which possess mutations in the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor that protect against snake venom.ongooses range in weight from the common dwarf mongoose, at 320 g (11 oz), to the cat-sized white-tailed mongoose, at 5 kg (11 lb).