Glossary O

Ownness effect refers to the tendency of parents in complex step-parent homes to favor and be more involved with their biological children than with their step-children

Oxygen debt is defined as the elevated post-exercise oxygen consumption (see EPOC); related to replacement of creatine phosphate, lactic acid resynthesis to glucose, and elevated body temperature, catecholamines, heart rate, breathing, etc.

Oxygen deficit refers to the lag in oxygen uptake at the beginning of exercise.

Oxyhemoglobin is hemoglobin combined with oxygen; 1.34 ml of oxygen can combine with 1 g Hb.

Oxytocin refers to a hormone released by the posterior pituitary; also a neurotransmitter ; important for sexual and parental behaviors; a hormone secreted by the hypothalamus that may contribute to the physical bond between a mother and her infant. Moreover, Oxytocin is a pituitary hormone that stimulates labor contractions. It is from the Greek oxys, meaning "quick," and tokos, meaning "birth"