repression

/ri presh"euhn/, n.

1. the act of repressing; state of being repressed.

2. Psychoanal. the rejection from consciousness of painful or disagreeable ideas, memories, feelings, or impulses.

[1325-75; ME repressioun < ML repression- (s. of repressio), LL: suppression. See REPRESS, -ION]

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I

In metabolism, a control mechanism by which a protein molecule, called a repressor, prevents the synthesis of an enzyme by binding to (and thus hindering the action of) the DNA that controls the enzyme's synthesis.

Though the process has been studied mainly in microorganisms, it is believed to occur in a similar way in higher organisms. See also inhibition.

II

In psychoanalytic theory, the exclusion of distressing memories, thoughts, or feelings from the conscious mind.

Often involving sexual or aggressive urges or painful childhood memories, these unwanted mental contents are pushed into the unconscious mind. Repression is thought to give rise to anxiety and to neurotic symptoms, which begin when a forbidden drive or impulse threatens to enter the conscious mind. Psychoanalysis seeks to uncover repressed memories and feelings through free association as well as to examine the repressed wishes released in dreams. See also unconscious.

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▪ enzymatic reactions

      in metabolism, a control mechanism in which a protein molecule, called a repressor, prevents the synthesis of an enzyme by binding to—and thereby impeding the action of—the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) that controls the process by which the enzyme is synthesized. Although the process has been most-studied in microorganisms, it is believed to occur in a similar way in higher organisms. See also induction.

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