Glossary
abiotic nonliving
abscission shedding of leaves; falling off
acetylation addition of an acetyl group, CH3-CHOO-
acidic having an excess of H+ ions and a low pH
acinus one of the small divisions of a fruit such as a raspberry
action potential wave of ionic movement down the length of a nerve cell
active site surface region of an enzyme where it catalyzes its reaction
adaptive radiation diversification of a group of organisms into several different forms that adapt to different environments
adhesion attachment; sticking to the surface of
ADP adenosine diphosphate, the low-energy form of ATP
adventitious growing from a nonstandard location
aerobe organism that needs oxygen
aerobic with oxygen, or requiring it
aestivating remaining dormant for the summer
affinity attraction
aflatoxin toxic compound produced by a mold fungus
agar gel derived from algae
agnosia "not knowing"; loss of ability to recognize familiar objects
agroecosystem agricultural ecosystem
alkaline chemically basic, with an excess of OH-ions
allele a particular form of a gene
allelopathy inhibition of one plant's growth by another plant
amino acid a building block of protein
amoeba a single-celled protist that moves by crawling
amoeboid like an amoeba, especially in movement via extension of portions of the membrane
AMP adenosine monophosphate, form of ATP after removal of two phosphate groups
amphipathic having both polar and nonpolar regions
anabolic characteristic of a reaction that builds complex molecules from simpler ones, and requires energy
anadromous describes fish that return to the rivers where they were born in order to breed
anaerobe organism not needing oxygen
anaerobic without oxygen, or not requiring oxygen
anemia lack of oxygen-carrying capacity in the blood
aneurysm bulging of the wall of a blood vessel
antagonism working against
antagonist muscle muscle that works against the action undertaken
anterior toward the front
anterograde forward
anthocyanins colored compounds made by plants
anthropogenic of, or relating to, the influence of human beings or nature
antibody immune system protein that binds to foreign molecules
antigen foreign substance that provokes an immune response
antioxidant substance that prevents damage from oxidation
antitoxin molecule used to inactivate a toxin
aphasia loss of the ability to form ideas into words
apical at the tip
apical meristem growing tip from which all plant tissues arise
appendage attached organ or structure
aqueous watery or water-based
areolar related to a small space within a tissue
aromatic compound including a double-bonded carbon ring
arterioles any of the small, terminal twigs of an artery that ends in capillaries
arthropods organisms with jointed appendages and exoskeletons, including insects, spiders, and crustaceans
asymptomatic without symptoms
ATP adenosine triphosphate, a high-energy nucleotide used by cells to power most energy-requiring reactions
atria two upper chambers of the heart (singular, atrium)
attenuation lessening over time
autoimmune disease disease in which the immune system attacks the body's own tissues
autonomic independent; regulating involuntary actions
autonomic nervous system one of the branches of the motor system, controlling involuntary muscles and glands
autosomal dominant pattern of inheritance in which inheritance of a single allele from either parent results in expression of the trait
avian concerning birds
axon long extension of a nerve cell down which information flows
B lymphocyte white blood cell that makes antibodies
B.C.E. before the Common Era, equivalent to B.C.
basal lowest level
base pair two nucleotides (either DNA or RNA) linked by weak bonds
basic having an excess of OH- ions and a high pH
bilaterally symmetric symmetric, or similar, across a central line
bilayer composed of two layers
bioaccumulate build up within organisms
bioluminescence production of light by biochemical reactions
biopharmaceuticals drugs produced by and harvested from living organisms
biosynthetic forming a complex molecule from simpler ones
biotic living
bolting sudden spurt of growth
boreal of, relating to, or located in northern regions
brood parasite organism of one species that lays its eggs in the nest of another species
C4 and CAM plants plants that employ accessory systems for trapping carbon for photosynthesis
cadherins family of calcium-dependent adhesion proteins
carbohydrates sugars, starches, and other molecules combining carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen and serving as fuel or structural components
cardiomyopathy heart muscle disease
catalysis aiding in the reaction of
catalyst substance that aids in a reaction without being used up
catalyze aid in the reaction of
caudate toward the tail
C.E. Common Era; equivalent to AD
cell cycle sequence of growth, replication, and division that produces new cells
cellulose carbohydrate made by plants and some other organisms; part of the cell wall
central nervous system brain and spinal cord
centromere region of the chromosome linking chromatids
cerebral cortex outermost wrinkled portion of the brain
chemiosmosis use of proton gradients to make ATP
chitin nitrogen-containing carbohydrate found in arthropod exoskeletons and fungus cell walls
chromatid a replicated chromosome before separation from its copy
chromatin complex of DNA, histones, and other proteins making up chromosomes
chromosomal analysis staining, banding, and other techniques for detection of chromosomal abnormalities
chromosome "colored body" in the cell nucleus; made of DNA and protein, and divided functionally into genes and non-gene regions
cilia short, hairlike cell extensions of the cell membrane formed by the cytoskeleton
ciliated possessing cilia, which are short, hairlike extensions of the cell membrane
circadian related to a day or daylength
clavicle collar bone
cloaca common exit cavity for intestinal, genital, and urinary tracts
codon sequence of three mRNA nucleotides coding for one amino acid
cognition mental processes of thought and awareness
cognitive related to thought or awareness
communicable transmissible from person to person
complementary matching opposite
complex carbohydrate molecules formed by linking simpler carbohydrates such as sugars
condensation compaction of chromosome strands into a tight structure
conformation three-dimensional shape
congenital present at birth; inherited
conjunctiva eye membrane that helps seal the eye socket
connective tissue one of four types of body tissue, characterized by few cells and extensive extracellular material
consanguineous descended from the same ancestor
constitutive at a constant rate or continually
contiguous adjacent to or touching
continental shelf submerged offshore area demarcated by land on one side and deep sea on the other
coralloid resembling coral
coronary artery artery supplying blood to the heart
cortical related to the cortex, or outer portion
cotyledon seed leaf, which stores food and performs photosynthesis after germination
cranial related to the cranium, or brain cavity
cryptobiosis when a plant or animal becomes so inactive that its life processes nearly come to a stop
cutaneous related to the skin
cutaneous respiration gas exchange through the skin
cytology study of cells
cytoplasm material in a cell, excluding the nucleus
cytoskeleton internal scaffolding in a cell, composed of protein
cytosol fluid portion of a cell, not including the organelles
Darwinian fitness capacity to survive and reproduce
deciduous trees that shed their leaves in the fall
deciliter one-tenth of a liter; a unit of volume
dementia neurological illness characterized by impaired thought or awareness
desiccation drying out
desynchronized not happening at the same time
deuterostome "mouth second"; referring to the early development of the anal pore during gut tube formation
dialysis cleansing by partial filtration
dicot plant having two cotyledons, or seed leaves
dikaryotic cell cell with a pair of nuclei
dilation expansion or swelling
dimer polymer formed from two molecules of a simple compound
dimerizes forms a pair
diploid having pairs of chromosomes in the nucleus
dissociate break apart
distal away from
diurnal active during the daytime
dorsal to the back of
ecosystem an ecological community and its environment
effector organ at the end of a nerve, such as a muscle or gland
efferent conducting outward or directing away from
electrolytes ions in body fluids
electromagnetic radiation light, X rays, and other forms of radiant energy
electron transport system membrane-bound system of proteins that extracts energy from high-energy electrons, found in mitochondria and chloroplasts
electrophoresis technique that uses electricity to separate molecules based on size and electric charge
electrophoresis gel porous medium through which molecules can be separated using an electric current
embalming treating a dead body to protect it from decay
embryology development of the embryo
emulsify suspend in solution through interaction with soap or similar molecules
endocrine related to the system of hormones and glands that regulate body function
endogenous caused by factors inside the organism
endometriosis disorder of the endometrium, the lining of the uterus
endoplasmic reticulum network of membranes within the cell
endosperm nutritive tissue within a seed
endosymbiosis symbiosis in which one partner lives within the other
endothermic characterized by regulation of body temperature through metabolic activity
Enlightenment eighteenth-century philosophical movement stressing rational critique of previously accepted doctrines in all areas of thought
enzymatic related to the function of an enzyme
enzyme protein that controls a reaction in a cell
epidemic rapid spread of disease through a population, or a disease that spreads in this manner
epistasis supression of a characteristic of one gene by the action of another gene
epithelium one of four tissue types found in the body, characterized by thin sheets and usually serving a protective or secretory function
esophagus tube connecting the throat to the stomach
eudicot "true dicot"; plants with two seed leaves that originated from the earliest of flowering plants
eukaryotic cell a cell with a nucleus
eutrophication process by which waters become enriched in dissolved nutrients that promote plant growth which results in depletion of dissolved oxygen
evapotranspiration loss of water from a plant by evaporation within the leaf
evidentiary DNA profile analyzed DNA from a sample used as evidence
excrete deposit outside of
exocrine gland gland that secretes substances to an external or internal surface rather than into the bloodstream
exoskeleton external skeleton
extensibility ability to expand or grow larger
fallopian tubes tubes through which eggs pass to the uterus
fecundity ability to reproduce
feedback process in which the output or result influences the rate of the process
fertilization union of sperm and egg
fibroblast undifferentiated cell normally giving rise to connective tissue cells
filtrate material passing through a filter
focal at a point
follicle a vesicle that contains a developing egg surrounded by a covering of cells
food web set of feeding relations in an ecosystem
forb broad-leaved herbaceous plant
forensic related to legal proceedings
fulcrum pivot point of a lever
fungi major group of parasitic, lower plants that obtain their food from the products of organic decay (e.g. molds, smuts, etc.)
gamete reproductive cell, such as sperm or egg
gametophyte a haploid plant that makes gametes by mitosis
ganglia cluster of nerve cell bodies
gastroenteritis inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract, often from infection
gene portion of DNA that codes for a protein or RNA molecule
gene expression use of a gene to create the corresponding protein
genetic code relationship between triples of RNA nucleotides and the amino acids they code for during protein synthesis
genitalia reproductive organs
genome total genetic material in a cell or organism
germ line cells creating eggs or sperm
gestation period of fetal development within the mother
glial supporting tissue of the elements of nervous tissue, including the brain, spinal cord, and ganglia
glucose simple sugar that provides energy to animal cells; it is the building block of cellulose in plants
glycogen complex carbohydrate used as storage in animals and some other organisms
glycolysis initial stages of sugar breakdown in a cell
gradient difference in concentration between two places
grafting attachment and fusing of parts from different plants
guard cells paired cells on leaves that control gas exchange and water loss
gymnosperms "naked seed" plants, including conifers
hallucination altered sensory experience resulting in the perception of objects that are not real
haploid having single, nonpaired chromosomes in the nucleus
hectare 10,000 square meters (2.47 acres)
heme the deep red, iron containing, nonprotein portion of hemoglobin and myglobin
hemicellulose complex carbohydrate related to cellulose and found in cell walls of plants and some other organisms
hemoglobin oxygen-carrying protein complex in red blood cells
herbarium a collection of dried plant specimens systematically arranged for reference
hermaphrodite organism possessing both male and female reproductive structures
heterodimer complex molecule composed of two different parts
heterogeneous composed of, or containing, different parts or types
heterozygous characterized by possession of two different forms (alleles) of a particular gene
hexamer a structure composed of six parts
histogenesis origin or production of tissues
histology study of tissues
histone protein around which DNA wraps to form chromosomes
homologous similar in structure
homologous chromosomes chromosomes carrying similar genetic information
homologous recombination exchange of DNA segments between chromosomes
homozygous containing two identical copies of a particular gene
hormone molecule released by one cell to influence another
hybrid combination of two different types
hydrocarbon molecule or group composed only of C and H
hydrogen bond weak bond between the H of one molecule or group and a nitrogen or oxygen of another
hydrolyze to split apart using water
hydrophilic "water loving"
hydrophobic "water hating," such as oils
hydroponics growing of plants without soil
hydroxyl chemical group consisting of -OH
hypersalinity very high level of salt
hypersecretion excess secretion
hypersensitivity reaction immune reaction characterized by rapid and severe response, often with swelling of airways
hyphae threadlike part of the vegetative portion of the fungus
hyposecretion lack of secretion
hypothermia subnormal temperature of the body
ice-out a thawing of ice covering a lake or other body of water
immunoglobulin an immune protein, also called an antibody
immunosuppressant inhibition of the immune response
in utero inside the uterus
in vitro "in glass"; in lab apparatus, rather than within a living organism
inbred repeatedly bred with close relatives, creating organisms with very little genetic variation
inducible able to be switched on
inflorescence characteristic arrangement of flowers on a stalk
infrastructure roads, phone lines, and other utilities that allow commerce
inorganic not bonded to carbon
insectivorous insect-eating
integrins a family of transmembrane linking proteins
interferons signaling molecules of the immune system
intermediate filament protein one type of cytoskeleton protein
interspecific between different species
interstitial space space between cells in a tissue
intracellular within a cell
intraocular within the eyeball
intrinsic to intimate part of; within
intron untranslated portion of a gene that interrupts coding regions
ion an electrically charged particle
ionic based on or functioning by means of ions
ionizing radiation high-energy radiation that destroys chemical bonds
isometric relating to contraction without movement
isotopes forms of an atom that differ by the number of neutrons in the nucleus
keratin a major structural protein
kilobase one thousand DNA bases; a measure of size of a piece of DNA
kilobasepair one thousand DNA base pairs; a measure of size of a piece of DNA
kinase enzyme that adds a phosphate group to another molecule, usually a protein
Krebs cycle central metabolic pathway in mitochondria
lactation production of milk by the mammary glands
laparoscopic surgery surgery in which an instrument is inserted through a very small incision, usually guided by some type of imaging technique
larynx "voice box"; muscles at the top of the trachea that control pitch and loudness
lateral side-to-side
lethargy lack of excitability; torpor
lignified hardened by impregnation with lignin, a compound formed in plants
lignin organic molecule used in plant cell walls to add stiffness to cellulose
lineage ancestral line
lipid fat or waxlike molecule, insoluble in water
lipoprotein combination of protein and lipid, or fatlike molecule
locus site on a chromosome (plural, loci)
lotic of, relating to, or living in actively moving water
lymph pale fluid that circulates in the lymphatic system, principally composed of blood plasma and cell fluid
lymphatic system network of tubes that permeates the body for transport of lymph and combat of infection
lymphocyte white blood cell found in lymph nodes
lyse break apart
lysine an amino acid
lysing disintegration or dissolution of cells
macromolecules large molecules such as proteins, carbohydrates, and nucleic acids
marsupials kangaroos and other mammals that gestate young in an external pouch
materialism the belief that life is due entirely to biochemical interactions, without the intervention of supernatural forces
matrix a network, usually of threadlike fibers
medium nutrient source
meiosis cell division that forms eggs or sperm
membrane potential electrical and chemical differences across a membrane leading to storage of energy and excitability
metabolism chemical reactions within a cell
metabolite molecule involved in a metabolic pathway
metamorphosis development process that includes a larval stage with a different form from the adult
metaphase intermediate stage in cell division, in which chromosomes line up before separating
metastasis breaking away of cancer cells from a solid tumor to travel elsewhere in the body
metazoans animals other than sponges
methylation addition of the methyl group CH3
micron one-millionth of a meter; also called a micrometer
mid-dorsal middle of the back
middle lamella layer of material between two plant cells that holds them together
minerals iron, calcium, sodium, and other elements needed by living organisms
missense mutation nucleotide change that causes a change in the amino acid normally added to the protein
mitochondria subcellular organelle that creates ATP used for energy-requiring processes in a cell
mitogen substance that stimulates mitosis
mitosis separation of replicated chromosomes
molecular hybridization base-pairing among DNAs or RNAs of different origins
monocot any of various flowering plants, such as grasses and orchids, that have a single cotyledon in the seed
monoculture cultivation of a single type of crop in a large area
monomer "single part"; monomers are joined to form a polymer
monophyletic a group that includes an ancestral species and all its descendants
montane mountainous region
morphology related to shape and form
motile able to move
motor neuron nerve cell that controls a muscle or gland
mucous membrane outer covering designed to secrete mucus, often found lining cavities and internal surfaces
multimer composed of many similar parts
multinucleate having many nuclei within a single cell membrane
muscle tone low level, constant muscle contraction
mutualism symbiosis between two organisms in which both benefit
mycorrhizae symbiosis between soil fungus and plant root to maximize absorption
myxedema thyroid disorder characterized by dry skin, swelling in the face, and mental deterioration
nanometer 10-9 meters; one-billionth of a meter
natural selection process by which organisms best suited to their environments achieve greater reproductive success thus creating more "fit" future generations
nematode worm of the Nematoda phylum, many of which are parasitic
nephron functional unit of the kidney that performs filtration, reabsorption, and excretion
neritic zone near the shore
neural related to nerve cells or the nervous system
neurologist doctor who treats brain disorders
neuron nerve cell
neurotransmitters molecules released by one neuron to stimulate or inhibit another neuron or cell
niche the habitat supplying the right environment for a particular species
nm nanometer; one-billionth of a meter
nocturnal characterized by activity at night, or related to the night
nondisjunction failure of separation of homologous chromosomes during meiosis
nuclear envelope double membrane surrounding the cell nucleus
nucleated having a nucleus
nucleotide the building block of RNA or DNA
nucleus membrane-bound portion of cell containing the chromosomes
obligate required or necessary, especially referring to a metabolic process or mode of nutrition
octomer composed of eight parts
oligosaccharide chain of several sugar molecules
oncogene gene that causes cancer
oocyte unfertilized egg
opportunistic caused by a microorganism that is usually harmless but which causes infection in an immunosuppressed person
organelle membrane-bound cell compartment
organic composed of carbon, or derived from living organisms; also, a type of agriculture stressing soil fertility and avoidance of synthetic pesticides and fertilizers
osmosis passage of water through a membrane in response to concentration differences
osseous related to bone
outcross fertilization between two different plants
ovipary production of eggs that hatch outside the body
ovovivipary production of eggs that hatch within the female's body
ovule multicellular structure that develops into a seed after fertilization
oxidation reaction characterized by loss of electrons, or reaction with oxygen
oxidation-reduction oxidation is loss of electrons, and reduction is gain of electrons
oxidative characterized by oxidation, or loss of electrons
oxidative phosphorylation use of oxygen to make ATP
oxidize to react or make react with oxygen
palatine bone bone of the hard palate at the roof of the mouth
paleoanthropology study of ancient humans
palindromic reading the same forward and backward
pandemic disease spread throughout an entire population
papillate small, nipplelike projection
parasite organism living in close association with another from which it derives most of its nutrition
parasitology study of parasites
parasympathetic nervous system branch of the nervous system promoting nutrient absorption and other maintenance activities
pathogen disease-causing organism
pathogenesis pathway leading to disease
pathologic related to disease
pectin carbohydrate in plants that forms crosslinks to stabilize cell walls
peptide bond bond between two amino acids
peptidoglycans polymer that is composed of polysaccharides and peptic chains
perianth combined sepals and petals
peripheral outside the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord)
pH measure of acidity or alkalinity; numbers below 7 are acid, above are basic
phage short for bacteriophage
phagocytosis engulfing of cells or large fragments by another cell, including immune system cells
pharynx throat
phase-contrast microscopy technique that manipulates passage of light through transparent specimens to reveal internal features
phenotype observable characteristics of an organism
pheromone molecule released by one organism to influence another organism's behavior
phloem plant tissue that conducts sugars from leaves to roots and other tissues
phosphodiester the link between two nucleotides in DNA or RNA
phosphorylate add a phosphate group to
phosphorylation addition of the phosphate group PO43-
phyletic gradualism the belief that evolutionary change is slow and steady
phylogenetic related to phylogeny, the evolutionary development of a species
phylum taxonomic level below kingdom, e.g., arthropod or chordate
physiology branch of biology that deals with the functions and activities of living matter
phytoplankton microscopic floating creatures that photosynthesize
pinnate featherlike
pinocytosis introduction of fluids into a cell by enclosing it and pinching off the plasma membrane
pipette lab instrument for precise measurement and transfer of small volumes of liquids
pistil female reproductive organ of a flower
placental related to mammals that nourish the fetus with a placenta, an exchange organ in the uterus
plankton microscopic floating organisms
plant hybridization creation of offspring by union of two different types of plants, such as wheat and rye
plasmid small ring of DNA found in many bacteria
plasticity change form
plate tectonics the movement of large plates of Earth's crust
polar partially charged, and usually soluble in water
polar covalent bond in which electrons are unevenly shared
polymer molecule composed of many similar parts
polymerase enzyme complex that synthesizes DNA or RNA from individual nucleotides
polymerization linking together of similar parts to form a polymer
polypeptide chain of amino acids
polysaccharide carbohydrate composed of many individual units of sugar
posterior toward the back
postmortem after death
prebiotic before the origin of life
Precambrian before the Cambrian era; before 600 million years ago
primer short nucleotide sequence that helps begin DNA replication
progeny offspring
prokaryote single-celled organism without a nucleus
promoter DNA sequence to which RNA polymerase binds to begin transcription
prostaglandins hormonelike molecules released by one cell that affect nearby cells, including smooth muscle
prostrate face downward
protein complex molecule made from amino acids; used in cells for structure, signaling, and controlling reactions
proteolysis breakdown of proteins
protoecology early ecology
protoplasm fluid portion of a plant cell within the cell wall
protostome "mouth first"; referring to the early development of the oral pore during gut tube formation
protozoa any of a phylum of minute protoplasmic animals present in almost every kind of habitat, some of which pose serious threats to humans and animals
pseudopod "false foot"; an extension of the plasma membrane during locomotion by an amoeba or similar crawling cell
psychosis severe mental disorder characterized by diminished connection with reality
psychotropic affecting consciousness, thought, or emotion
punctuated equilibrium pattern of evolution in which long periods of relatively little change are punctuated by rapid change
pyruvate the ionized form of pyruvic acid, a key intermediate in cell metabolism
quarternary fourth level
radially symmetric symmetric, or similar, about a central point (a wheel is radially symmetric)
reproductive isolation isolation of a population from other populations of the same species due to inability to successfully reproduce; an early stage in species formation
respire use oxygen to burn cellular fuel
restriction enzyme enzyme that cuts DNA at a particular sequence
restriction fragments fragments of DNA created by restriction enzymes
reticular netlike
retrograde backward
reverse transcriptase enzyme that copies RNA into DNA
reverse transcription creation of DNA from an RNA template
ribonucleoprotein combination of RNA and protein
ribosome protein-RNA complex in cells that synthesizes protein
rickettsia (pl. -sias or siae) any of a family of polymorphic microorganisms that cause various diseases
RNA polymerase enzyme complex that creates RNA from DNA template
saline of, or relating to, salt
saprophyte plant that feeds on decaying parts of other plants
savanna open grassland with sparse trees
sclerophyll small, tough evergreen leaves
secretion material released from the cell
secretory pathway series of events within a cell by which molecules are brought to the plasma membrane for release from the cell
sepals whorls of flower organs outside of the petals, usually green and serving to protect the flower before it opens
serotinous developing late in the season
serotype identity of an organism or virus based on reaction to an antibody
sessile attached and remaining in one place
silviculture cultivation of forest trees
sleep apnea difficulty breathing while asleep
solenoid cylindrical coiled structure
solute dissolved substance
solvation the process of dissolving
somatic nonreproductive; not an egg or sperm
somatostatin hormone produced by the hypothalamus that influences growth
spasticity of, or relating to, spasms
spectroscopy process using light or other emitted radiation to determine properties of a sample
sphincter ring of muscle regulating passage of material through a tube such as the gastrointestinal tract
spontaneous generation the theory that life began from nonliving matter
stasis state of no change
steroid hormone group of hormones that includes estrogen, testosterone, and progesterone
steroids hormones such as testosterone or estrogens that control many aspects of physiology
stomata openings in leaves for gas exchange, surrounded and regulated by guard cells
strong bond high-energy arrangement between two atoms involving electron-sharing; strong bonds require more energy to break than weak bonds
subcutaneous below the skin
substrate the molecule acted on by an enzyme; also a surface for attachment
succession series of changes seen in some plant communities over time, in which low-growing, rapidly reproducing species are replaced by taller and more slowly reproducing ones
superficial on the surface; not deep
symbiont organism living in close association with another organism
symbiosis close relationship between two species in which at least one benefits
sympathetic nervous system branch of the nervous system that promotes heightened awareness, increased nutrient consumption, and other changes associated with "fight or flight"
synaptic transmission passage of chemicals between nerve cells to send messages or alter neuron firing
synchronously at the same time
synergism working together to create a larger product rather than a simple sum
systemic throughout the body
T cell white blood cell that controls the immune response
taxon a level of classification, such as kingdom or phylum
tectonic plate large segment of Earth's crust that moves in relation to other similar plates
template master copy
teratogens substances that cause birth defects
tertiary third level
thermoregulation temperature regulation
transcribe creation of an RNA copy of a DNA gene
transcription messenger RNA formation from a DNA sequence
transcription factor protein that increases the rate of transcription of a gene
transduction conversion of a signal of one type into another type
transgenic characterized by presence of one or more genes from a different organism
translation synthesis of protein using mRNA code
translocation movement of sugars and other nutrients throughout a plant
transverse situated or lying across
trimer a structure composed of three parts
triploid possessing three sets of chromosomes
trophic related to feeding
trophic level feeding level in an ecosystem
true breeding giving only offspring identical to the parents
turgor internal pressure
ubiquitous found everywhere
ultrasonography use of sound waves to produce an image
ungulate hoofed mammals such as cattle
uninucleate possessing one nucleus
vas deferens tube through which sperm travel from testes to urethra
vector carrier
ventral to toward the belly side
ventricle fluid-filled chamber
venule any of the minute veins connecting the capillaries with the larger systemic veins
vesicle membrane-bound sac
vestigial no longer functional
visceral related to the viscera, or internal organs
viscous thick
vivipary production of live young
volatile easily vaporized
vulva external female genitalia
weak bond low-energy arrangement between two atoms involving electron-sharing; weak bonds require less energy to break than strong bonds
X-ray crystallography use of X rays to determine the structure of a molecule
xylem water-transporting system in plants
zygote fertilized egg
