Bipolaarsed

Bipolaarsed is an Estonian adjective meaning “bipolar,” describing something that has two poles, two opposite states, or two contrasting parts. The term is used across several scientific and technical domains, each with its own nuances.

In medicine and psychology, the term often appears in the compound bipolaarne häire, which corresponds to bipolar disorder in English. This psychiatric condition is characterized by periods of elevated mood or energy (mania or hypomania) and periods of depression. The descriptor highlights the alternating mood states rather than a single, steady mood.

In biology and neuroscience, bipolar rakud or bipolaarsed rakud refer to cells with two distinct extensions or poles, such as certain sensory or retinal neurons. Bipolar neurons typically have two processes that transmit signals in opposite directions, playing roles in early sensory pathways.

In electronics, bipolaarsed transistorid (BJT) are a class of transistors that use both electron and hole charge carriers. They have three regions—emitter, base, and collector—and their operation relies on two p-n junctions. BJT devices are valued for current amplification and are used in analog circuits, amplification stages, and switching applications.

Usage note: bipolaarsed is a general descriptive term and its precise meaning depends on context. In Estonian texts, it is common to specify the domain (medical, biological, or engineering) to avoid ambiguity.