Ligate: meaning, definitions and examples

Etymology

• The word comes from the Latin 'ligare,' meaning 'to bind or tie.'
• It first appeared in English texts during the late 17th century, reflecting an increasing interest in science and medicine.
• In historical contexts, ligation was crucial during surgeries to control bleeding.

Medicine

• Ligation is often performed in surgeries to control blood flow in blood vessels.
• It can be used in procedures like tubal ligation, where a woman's fallopian tubes are tied to prevent pregnancy.
• Surgeons may also use ligation techniques to remove tumors while minimizing blood loss.

Science

• In chemistry, ligate can refer to the formation of complexes where molecules bind together.
• Ligation techniques are essential in molecular biology for DNA manipulation and cloning.
• The process helps researchers combine genetic material from different organisms.

Pop Culture

• The term appears in many medical dramas and shows that portray surgery, often involving intense scenes of emergency procedures.
• In popular science literature, ligation is frequently discussed in the context of gene editing technologies like CRISPR.
• It has been referenced humorously in memes regarding medical lingo, showing the contrast between everyday communication and technical jargon.

Ranking #36,225, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.

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