fail-safe

adj.

1. describing or relating to a feature by which the failure of a component or subsystem of a machine or work system results in automatic shutdown or switch to a safer mode of operation. This fail-safe design reduces the chance that an operator will be exposed to hazards related to the malfunction or that machinery will be damaged. Fail-safe designs do not, however, reduce the likelihood of an accident or failure. See also exclusion design; prevention design.

2. more generally, having no or an extremely low probability of failure.

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Psychology term of the day

September 8th 2024

NMDA receptor

a type of glutamate receptor that binds NMDA as well as glutamate. NMDA receptors are coupled to ligand-gated ion channels and are also voltage-sensitive, which enables them to participate in a variety of information-processing operations at synapses where glutamate is the neurotransmitter. The drugs of abuse ketamine and PCP are antagonists at NMDA receptors, preventing the influx of calcium ions at calcium channels, which may cause the hallucinogenic effects of these drugs. Excessive flow of calcium ions into the presynaptic neuron via the NMDA receptor is thought to contribute to glutamate toxicity. A hypothesis on the etiology of schizophrenia involves dysfunction of the NMDA glutamate receptor (see glutamate hypothesis). Compare AMPA receptor.