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Available in 6 languages" > <label id="p-lang-btn-label" for="p-lang-btn-checkbox" class="vector-dropdown-label cdx-button cdx-button--fake-button cdx-button--fake-button--enabled cdx-button--weight-quiet cdx-button--action-progressive mw-portlet-lang-heading-6" aria-hidden="true" ><span class="vector-icon mw-ui-icon-language-progressive mw-ui-icon-wikimedia-language-progressive"></span> <span class="vector-dropdown-label-text">6 languages</span> </label> <div class="vector-dropdown-content"> <div class="vector-menu-content"> <ul class="vector-menu-content-list"> <li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-bn mw-list-item"><a href="https://bn.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E0%A6%89%E0%A6%87%E0%A6%95%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%AA%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%A1%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%AF%E0%A6%BC%E0%A6%BE:%E0%A6%9C%E0%A7%80%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%9C%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%9E%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%A8_%E0%A6%B6%E0%A6%AC%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%A6%E0%A6%95%E0%A7%8B%E0%A6%B7" title="উইকিপিডিয়া:জীববিজ্ঞান শব্দকোষ – Bangla" lang="bn" hreflang="bn" data-title="উইকিপিডিয়া:জীববিজ্ঞান শব্দকোষ" data-language-autonym="বাংলা" data-language-local-name="Bangla" class="interlanguage-link-target"><span>বাংলা</span></a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-id mw-list-item"><a href="https://id.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daftar_istilah_biologi" title="Daftar istilah biologi – Indonesian" lang="id" hreflang="id" data-title="Daftar istilah biologi" data-language-autonym="Bahasa Indonesia" data-language-local-name="Indonesian" class="interlanguage-link-target"><span>Bahasa Indonesia</span></a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-om mw-list-item"><a href="https://om.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jechiikaa_Baayoloojii" title="Jechiikaa Baayoloojii – Oromo" lang="om" hreflang="om" data-title="Jechiikaa Baayoloojii" data-language-autonym="Oromoo" data-language-local-name="Oromo" class="interlanguage-link-target"><span>Oromoo</span></a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-pnb mw-list-item"><a href="https://pnb.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D9%81%D8%B1%DB%81%D9%86%DA%AF_%D8%A7%D8%B5%D8%B7%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%AD%D8%A7%D8%AA_%D8%AD%DB%8C%D8%A7%D8%AA%DB%8C%D8%A7%D8%AA" title="فرہنگ اصطلاحات حیاتیات – Western Punjabi" lang="pnb" hreflang="pnb" data-title="فرہنگ اصطلاحات حیاتیات" data-language-autonym="پنجابی" data-language-local-name="Western Punjabi" class="interlanguage-link-target"><span>پنجابی</span></a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-ro mw-list-item"><a href="https://ro.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glosar_de_biologie" title="Glosar de biologie – Romanian" lang="ro" hreflang="ro" data-title="Glosar de biologie" data-language-autonym="Română" data-language-local-name="Romanian" class="interlanguage-link-target"><span>Română</span></a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-ur mw-list-item"><a href="https://ur.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D9%81%D8%B1%DB%81%D9%86%DA%AF_%D8%A7%D8%B5%D8%B7%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%AD%D8%A7%D8%AA_%D8%AD%DB%8C%D8%A7%D8%AA%DB%8C%D8%A7%D8%AA" title="فرہنگ اصطلاحات حیاتیات – 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a{color:var(--color-progressive)!important}}@media screen and (prefers-color-scheme:dark){html.skin-theme-clientpref-os .mw-parser-output .sidebar:not(.notheme) .sidebar-list-title,html.skin-theme-clientpref-os .mw-parser-output .sidebar:not(.notheme) .sidebar-title-with-pretitle{background:transparent!important}html.skin-theme-clientpref-os .mw-parser-output .sidebar:not(.notheme) .sidebar-title-with-pretitle a{color:var(--color-progressive)!important}}@media print{body.ns-0 .mw-parser-output .sidebar{display:none!important}}</style><style data-mw-deduplicate="TemplateStyles:r1066933788">.mw-parser-output .excerpt-hat .mw-editsection-like{font-style:normal}</style><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1066933788"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1129693374"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1129693374"><table class="sidebar sidebar-collapse nomobile nowraplinks" style="border:2px solid #90db90"><tbody><tr><td class="sidebar-pretitle">Part of a series on</td></tr><tr><th class="sidebar-title-with-pretitle" style="padding:0.2em;font-size:175%;font-weight:bold"><a href="/wiki/Biology" title="Biology">Biology</a></th></tr><tr><td class="sidebar-image"><span typeof="mw:File"><a href="/wiki/File:DNA_simple.svg" class="mw-file-description"><img src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e7/DNA_simple.svg/45px-DNA_simple.svg.png" decoding="async" width="45" height="107" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e7/DNA_simple.svg/68px-DNA_simple.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e7/DNA_simple.svg/90px-DNA_simple.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="114" data-file-height="270" /></a></span><div class="sidebar-caption"><b>Science of life</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class="sidebar-above" style="background:#ddddff;display:block; margin-bottom:0.55em; background-color: #e7f4e7;"> <div class="hlist"> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Index_of_biology_articles" title="Index of biology articles">Index</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Outline_of_biology" title="Outline of biology">Outline</a></li> <li><a class="mw-selflink selflink">Glossary</a></li></ul> <div class="hlist"> </div> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/History_of_biology" title="History of biology">History</a> (<a href="/wiki/Timeline_of_biology_and_organic_chemistry" title="Timeline of biology and organic chemistry">timeline</a>)</li></ul> </div></td></tr><tr><td class="sidebar-content" style="background:#e7f4e7;"> <div class="sidebar-list mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"><div class="sidebar-list-title" style="text-align:center;padding-bottom:0;background:#90db90;font-size:100%;font-weight:bold;;color: var(--color-base)">Key components</div><div class="sidebar-list-content mw-collapsible-content hlist"> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Cell_theory" title="Cell theory">Cell theory</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Ecosystem" title="Ecosystem">Ecosystem</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Evolution" title="Evolution">Evolution</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Phylogenetic_tree" title="Phylogenetic tree"> Phylogeny</a></li></ul> <hr /> <ul><li><b>Properties of <a href="/wiki/Life" title="Life">life</a></b></li></ul> <hr /> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Adaptation" title="Adaptation">Adaptation</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Metabolism" title="Metabolism"> Energy processing</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Developmental_biology" title="Developmental biology">Growth</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Structure#Biological" title="Structure">Order</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Homeostasis" title="Homeostasis">Regulation</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Reproduction" title="Reproduction">Reproduction</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Stimulus_(physiology)" title="Stimulus (physiology)">Response to environment</a></li></ul> <hr /> <ul><li><b><a href="/wiki/Domain_(biology)" title="Domain (biology)"> Domains</a> and <a href="/wiki/Kingdom_(biology)" title="Kingdom (biology)">Kingdoms</a> of life</b></li></ul> <hr /> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Archaea" title="Archaea">Archaea</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Bacteria" title="Bacteria">Bacteria</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Eukaryote" title="Eukaryote">Eukarya</a> (<a href="/wiki/Animals" class="mw-redirect" title="Animals">Animals</a>, <a href="/wiki/Fungi" class="mw-redirect" title="Fungi">Fungi</a>, <a href="/wiki/Plants" class="mw-redirect" title="Plants">Plants</a>, <a href="/wiki/Protists" class="mw-redirect" title="Protists">Protists</a>)</li></ul></div></div></td> </tr><tr><td class="sidebar-content" style="background:#e7f4e7;"> <div class="sidebar-list mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"><div class="sidebar-list-title" style="text-align:center;padding-bottom:0;background:#90db90;font-size:100%;font-weight:bold;;color: var(--color-base)">Branches</div><div class="sidebar-list-content mw-collapsible-content hlist"><div class="excerpt-block"><div class="excerpt"> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Abiogenesis" title="Abiogenesis">Abiogenesis</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Aerobiology" title="Aerobiology">Aerobiology</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Agronomy" title="Agronomy">Agronomy</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Agrostology" title="Agrostology">Agrostology</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Anatomy" title="Anatomy">Anatomy</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Astrobiology" title="Astrobiology">Astrobiology</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Bacteriology" title="Bacteriology">Bacteriology</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Biochemistry" title="Biochemistry">Biochemistry</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Biogeography" title="Biogeography">Biogeography</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Biogeology" title="Biogeology">Biogeology</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Bioinformatics" title="Bioinformatics">Bioinformatics</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Biological_engineering" title="Biological engineering">Biological engineering</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Biomechanics" title="Biomechanics">Biomechanics</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Biophysics" title="Biophysics">Biophysics</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Biosemiotics" title="Biosemiotics">Biosemiotics</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Biostatistics" title="Biostatistics">Biostatistics</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Biotechnology" title="Biotechnology">Biotechnology</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Botany" title="Botany">Botany</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Cell_biology" title="Cell biology">Cell biology</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Cellular_microbiology" title="Cellular microbiology">Cellular microbiology</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Chemical_biology" title="Chemical biology">Chemical biology</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Chronobiology" title="Chronobiology">Chronobiology</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Cognitive_biology" title="Cognitive biology">Cognitive biology</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Computational_biology" title="Computational biology">Computational biology</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Conservation_biology" title="Conservation biology">Conservation biology</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Cryobiology" title="Cryobiology">Cryobiology</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Cytogenetics" title="Cytogenetics">Cytogenetics</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Dendrology" title="Dendrology">Dendrology</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Developmental_biology" title="Developmental biology">Developmental biology</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Ecological_genetics" title="Ecological genetics">Ecological genetics</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Ecology" title="Ecology">Ecology</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Embryology" title="Embryology">Embryology</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Epidemiology" title="Epidemiology">Epidemiology</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Epigenetics" title="Epigenetics">Epigenetics</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Evolutionary_biology" title="Evolutionary biology">Evolutionary biology</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Freshwater_biology" title="Freshwater biology">Freshwater biology</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Generative_biology" class="mw-redirect" title="Generative biology">Generative biology</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Genetics" title="Genetics">Genetics</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Genomics" title="Genomics">Genomics</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Geobiology" title="Geobiology">Geobiology</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Gerontology" title="Gerontology">Gerontology</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Herpetology" title="Herpetology">Herpetology</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Histology" title="Histology">Histology</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Human_biology" title="Human biology">Human biology</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Ichthyology" title="Ichthyology">Ichthyology</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Immunology" title="Immunology">Immunology</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Lipidology" title="Lipidology">Lipidology</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Mammalogy" title="Mammalogy">Mammalogy</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Marine_biology" title="Marine biology">Marine biology</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Mathematical_and_theoretical_biology" title="Mathematical and theoretical biology">Mathematical biology</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Microbiology" title="Microbiology">Microbiology</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Molecular_biology" title="Molecular biology">Molecular biology</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Mycology" title="Mycology">Mycology</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Neontology" title="Neontology">Neontology</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Neuroscience" title="Neuroscience">Neuroscience</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Nutritional_science" title="Nutritional science">Nutrition</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Ornithology" title="Ornithology">Ornithology</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Osteology" title="Osteology">Osteology</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Paleontology" title="Paleontology">Paleontology</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Parasitology" title="Parasitology">Parasitology</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Pathology" title="Pathology">Pathology</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Pharmacology" title="Pharmacology">Pharmacology</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Photobiology" title="Photobiology">Photobiology</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Phycology" title="Phycology">Phycology</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Phylogenetics" title="Phylogenetics">Phylogenetics</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Physiology" title="Physiology">Physiology</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Pomology" title="Pomology">Pomology</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Primatology" title="Primatology">Primatology</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Proteomics" title="Proteomics">Proteomics</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Protistology" title="Protistology">Protistology</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Quantum_biology" title="Quantum biology">Quantum biology</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Relational_biology" class="mw-redirect" title="Relational biology">Relational biology</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Reproductive_biology" title="Reproductive biology">Reproductive biology</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Sociobiology" title="Sociobiology">Sociobiology</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Structural_biology" title="Structural biology">Structural biology</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Synthetic_biology" title="Synthetic biology">Synthetic biology</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Systematics" title="Systematics">Systematics</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Systems_biology" title="Systems biology">Systems biology</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Taxonomy_(biology)" title="Taxonomy (biology)">Taxonomy</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Teratology" title="Teratology">Teratology</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Toxicology" title="Toxicology">Toxicology</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Virology" title="Virology">Virology</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Virophysics" title="Virophysics">Virophysics</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Xenobiology" title="Xenobiology">Xenobiology</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Zoology" title="Zoology">Zoology</a></li></ul></div></div></div></div></td> </tr><tr><td class="sidebar-content" style="background:#e7f4e7;"> <div class="sidebar-list mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"><div class="sidebar-list-title" style="text-align:center;padding-bottom:0;background:#90db90;font-size:100%;font-weight:bold;;color: var(--color-base)">Research</div><div class="sidebar-list-content mw-collapsible-content hlist"> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Biologist" title="Biologist">Biologist</a> (<a href="/wiki/List_of_biologists" title="List of biologists">list)</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/List_of_biology_awards" title="List of biology awards">List of biology awards</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/List_of_biology_journals" title="List of biology journals">List of journals</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/List_of_research_methods_in_biology" title="List of research methods in biology">List of research methods</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/List_of_unsolved_problems_in_biology" title="List of unsolved problems in biology">List of unsolved problems</a></li></ul></div></div></td> </tr><tr><td class="sidebar-content" style="background:#e7f4e7;"> <div class="sidebar-list mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"><div class="sidebar-list-title" style="text-align:center;padding-bottom:0;background:#90db90;font-size:100%;font-weight:bold;;color: var(--color-base)">Applications</div><div class="sidebar-list-content mw-collapsible-content hlist"> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Agricultural_science" title="Agricultural science">Agricultural science</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Biomedical_sciences" title="Biomedical sciences">Biomedical sciences</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Health_technology" title="Health technology">Health technology</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Pharming_(genetics)" title="Pharming (genetics)"> Pharming</a></li></ul></div></div></td> </tr><tr><td class="sidebar-below hlist"> <ul><li><span class="nowrap"><span class="nowrap"><span class="noviewer" typeof="mw:File"><a href="/wiki/File:Issoria_lathonia.jpg" class="mw-file-description"><img alt="icon" src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/2d/Issoria_lathonia.jpg/16px-Issoria_lathonia.jpg" decoding="async" width="16" height="11" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/2d/Issoria_lathonia.jpg/24px-Issoria_lathonia.jpg 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/2d/Issoria_lathonia.jpg/32px-Issoria_lathonia.jpg 2x" data-file-width="629" data-file-height="445" /></a></span> </span><a href="/wiki/Portal:Biology" title="Portal:Biology">Biology portal</a></span></li> <li><span class="nowrap"><span class="noviewer" typeof="mw:File"><span title="Category"><img alt="" src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/9/96/Symbol_category_class.svg/16px-Symbol_category_class.svg.png" decoding="async" width="16" height="16" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/9/96/Symbol_category_class.svg/23px-Symbol_category_class.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/9/96/Symbol_category_class.svg/31px-Symbol_category_class.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="180" data-file-height="185" /></span></span> <a href="/wiki/Category:Biology" title="Category:Biology">Category</a></span></li></ul></td></tr><tr><td class="sidebar-navbar"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1129693374"><style data-mw-deduplicate="TemplateStyles:r1239400231">.mw-parser-output .navbar{display:inline;font-size:88%;font-weight:normal}.mw-parser-output .navbar-collapse{float:left;text-align:left}.mw-parser-output .navbar-boxtext{word-spacing:0}.mw-parser-output .navbar ul{display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;line-height:inherit}.mw-parser-output .navbar-brackets::before{margin-right:-0.125em;content:"[ "}.mw-parser-output .navbar-brackets::after{margin-left:-0.125em;content:" ]"}.mw-parser-output .navbar li{word-spacing:-0.125em}.mw-parser-output .navbar a>span,.mw-parser-output .navbar a>abbr{text-decoration:inherit}.mw-parser-output .navbar-mini abbr{font-variant:small-caps;border-bottom:none;text-decoration:none;cursor:inherit}.mw-parser-output .navbar-ct-full{font-size:114%;margin:0 7em}.mw-parser-output .navbar-ct-mini{font-size:114%;margin:0 4em}html.skin-theme-clientpref-night .mw-parser-output .navbar li a abbr{color:var(--color-base)!important}@media(prefers-color-scheme:dark){html.skin-theme-clientpref-os .mw-parser-output .navbar li a abbr{color:var(--color-base)!important}}@media print{.mw-parser-output .navbar{display:none!important}}</style><div class="navbar plainlinks hlist navbar-mini"><ul><li class="nv-view"><a href="/wiki/Template:TopicTOC-Biology" title="Template:TopicTOC-Biology"><abbr title="View this template">v</abbr></a></li><li class="nv-talk"><a href="/wiki/Template_talk:TopicTOC-Biology" title="Template talk:TopicTOC-Biology"><abbr title="Discuss this template">t</abbr></a></li><li class="nv-edit"><a href="/wiki/Special:EditPage/Template:TopicTOC-Biology" title="Special:EditPage/Template:TopicTOC-Biology"><abbr title="Edit this template">e</abbr></a></li></ul></div></td></tr></tbody></table> <p>This <b>glossary of biology terms</b> is a list of definitions of fundamental terms and concepts used in <a href="/wiki/Biology" title="Biology">biology</a>, the study of life and of living organisms. It is intended as introductory material for novices; for more specific and technical definitions from sub-disciplines and related fields, see <a href="/wiki/Glossary_of_cell_biology" class="mw-redirect" title="Glossary of cell biology">Glossary of cell biology</a>, <a href="/wiki/Glossary_of_genetics" class="mw-redirect" title="Glossary of genetics">Glossary of genetics</a>, <a href="/wiki/Glossary_of_evolutionary_biology" class="mw-redirect" title="Glossary of evolutionary biology">Glossary of evolutionary biology</a>, <a href="/wiki/Glossary_of_ecology" title="Glossary of ecology">Glossary of ecology</a>, <a href="/wiki/Glossary_of_environmental_science" title="Glossary of environmental science">Glossary of environmental science</a> and <a href="/wiki/Glossary_of_scientific_naming" title="Glossary of scientific naming">Glossary of scientific naming</a>, or any of the organism-specific glossaries in <a href="/wiki/Category:Glossaries_of_biology" title="Category:Glossaries of biology">Category:Glossaries of biology</a>. </p> <div class="noprint" style="text-align:center;"><div role="navigation" id="toc" class="toc plainlinks" aria-labelledby="tocheading" style="margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto; text-align:left;"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1129693374"><div class="hlist"> <div id="toctitle" class="toctitle" style="text-align:center;display:inline-block;"><span id="tocheading" style="font-weight:bold;">Contents: </span></div> <div style="margin:auto; display:inline-block;"> <ul><li><a href="#0–9">0–9</a></li> <li><a href="#A">A</a></li> <li><a href="#B">B</a></li> <li><a href="#C">C</a></li> <li><a href="#D">D</a></li> <li><a href="#E">E</a></li> <li><a href="#F">F</a></li> <li><a href="#G">G</a></li> <li><a href="#H">H</a></li> <li><a href="#I">I</a></li> <li><a href="#J">J</a></li> <li><a href="#K">K</a></li> <li><a href="#L">L</a></li> <li><a href="#M">M</a></li> <li><a href="#N">N</a></li> <li><a href="#O">O</a></li> <li><a href="#P">P</a></li> <li><a href="#Q">Q</a></li> <li><a href="#R">R</a></li> <li><a href="#S">S</a></li> <li><a href="#T">T</a></li> <li><a href="#U">U</a></li> <li><a href="#V">V</a></li> <li><a href="#W">W</a></li> <li><a href="#X">X</a></li> <li><a href="#Y">Y</a></li> <li><a href="#Z">Z</a></li> <li><a href="#See_also">See also</a></li> <li><a href="#References">References</a></li> <li><a href="#External_links">External links</a></li></ul> </div></div></div></div> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="A">A</h2><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Glossary_of_biology&action=edit&section=1" title="Edit section: A"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <style data-mw-deduplicate="TemplateStyles:r1228772891">.mw-parser-output .glossary dt{margin-top:0.4em}.mw-parser-output .glossary dt+dt{margin-top:-0.2em}.mw-parser-output .glossary .templatequote{margin-top:0;margin-bottom:-0.5em}</style> <dl class="glossary"> <dt id="absorption"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Absorption_(skin)" title="Absorption (skin)">absorption</a></dfn></dt> <dd><i>(physiology)</i> A process in which one substance permeates another. A <a href="/wiki/Fluid" title="Fluid">fluid</a> permeates or is dissolved by a liquid or solid. Skin absorption is a route by which substances can enter the body through the skin.</dd> <dt id="acclimatization"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Acclimatization" title="Acclimatization">acclimatization</a></dfn></dt> <dd><i>(physiology)</i> <a href="#adaptation"><span title="See entry on this page at § adaptation" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">Adaptation</span></a> to a new <a href="/wiki/Climate" title="Climate">climate</a>, as with a new temperature or altitude or environment.</dd> <dt id="acetyl-coa"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Acetyl-CoA" title="Acetyl-CoA">acetyl-CoA</a></dfn></dt> <dd><i>(biochemistry)</i> Acetyl coenzyme A is a molecule participating in many <a href="/wiki/Biochemical_reaction" class="mw-redirect" title="Biochemical reaction">biochemical reactions</a> in carbohydrate, protein and lipid <a href="/wiki/Metabolism" title="Metabolism">metabolism</a>. Its main function is to deliver the <a href="/wiki/Acetyl" class="mw-redirect" title="Acetyl">acetyl</a> group to the <a href="/wiki/Citric_acid_cycle" title="Citric acid cycle">citric acid cycle</a> (Krebs cycle) to be <a href="/wiki/Oxidation" class="mw-redirect" title="Oxidation">oxidized</a> for energy production.</dd> <dt id="acoelomate"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Acoelomate" class="mw-redirect" title="Acoelomate">acoelomate</a></dfn></dt> <dd><i>(zoology)</i> A type of <a href="#animal"><span title="See entry on this page at § animal" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">animal</span></a>, such as a <a href="/wiki/Flatworm" title="Flatworm">flatworm</a>, with a body plan that lacks a fluid-filled <a href="#coelom"><span title="See entry on this page at § coelom" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">cavity</span></a> between the body wall and the <a href="/wiki/Digestive_tract" class="mw-redirect" title="Digestive tract">digestive tract</a>. Rather, semi-solid <a href="/wiki/Mesoderm" title="Mesoderm">mesodermal</a> tissues between the gut and body wall hold the animal's <a href="#organ"><span title="See entry on this page at § organ" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">organs</span></a> in place. Contrast <i><a href="#coelomate"><span title="See entry on this page at § coelomate" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">coelomate</span></a></i> and <i><a href="#pseudocoelomate"><span title="See entry on this page at § pseudocoelomate" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">pseudocoelomate</span></a></i>.</dd> <dt id="adaptation"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Adaptation" title="Adaptation">adaptation</a></dfn></dt> <dd><i>(evolutionary biology, population biology)</i> Term can apply to an individual organism's adaptation to its environment, the adaptation of organisms to an environment through evolutionary processes, or the population dynamics intrisic to the evolutionary process.</dd> <dt id="adenine"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Adenine" title="Adenine">adenine</a></dfn></dt> <dd><i>(biochemistry)</i> A <a href="/wiki/Purine" title="Purine">purine</a>-derived organic compound which is one of the four canonical <a href="/wiki/Nucleobase" class="mw-redirect" title="Nucleobase">nucleobases</a> used in the <a href="#nucleic_acid"><span title="See entry on this page at § nucleic acid" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">nucleic acids</span></a> <a href="#dna"><span title="See entry on this page at § DNA" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">DNA</span></a> and <a href="#rna"><span title="See entry on this page at § RNA" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">RNA</span></a>. Its derivatives are involved in a wide variety of <a href="#biochemistry"><span title="See entry on this page at § biochemistry" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">biochemical</span></a> reactions, including <a href="#cellular_respiration"><span title="See entry on this page at § cellular respiration" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">cellular respiration</span></a>.</dd> <dt id="aerobic"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Aerobic_organism" title="Aerobic organism">aerobic</a></dfn></dt> <dd>Capable of surviving and growing in the presence of <a href="/wiki/Oxygen" title="Oxygen">oxygen</a>.</dd> <dt id="amino_acid"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Amino_acid" title="Amino acid">amino acid</a></dfn></dt> <dd><i>(biochemistry)</i> A class of <a href="/wiki/Organic_compound" title="Organic compound">organic compounds</a> containing an <a href="/wiki/Amine" title="Amine">amine group</a> and a <a href="/wiki/Carboxylic_acid" title="Carboxylic acid">carboxylic acid</a> group which function as the fundamental building blocks of <a href="#protein"><span title="See entry on this page at § protein" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">proteins</span></a> and play important roles in many other biochemical processes.</dd> <dt id="anaerobic"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Anaerobic_organism" title="Anaerobic organism">anaerobic</a></dfn></dt> <dd>Any organism that does not require molecular <a href="/wiki/Oxygen" title="Oxygen">oxygen</a> for growth.</dd> <dt id="animal"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Animal" title="Animal">animal</a></dfn></dt> <dd>Any member of a <a href="#clade"><span title="See entry on this page at § clade" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">clade</span></a> of <a href="#multicellular"><span title="See entry on this page at § multicellular" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">multicellular</span></a> <a href="#eukaryote"><span title="See entry on this page at § eukaryote" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">eukaryotic</span></a> organisms belonging to the <a href="#kingdom"><span title="See entry on this page at § kingdom" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">biological kingdom</span></a> <a href="/wiki/Animalia" class="mw-redirect" title="Animalia">Animalia</a>. With few exceptions, animals <a href="#heterotroph"><span title="See entry on this page at § heterotroph" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">consume organic material</span></a>, <a href="#aerobic"><span title="See entry on this page at § aerobic" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">breathe oxygen</span></a>, are <a href="#motile"><span title="See entry on this page at § motile" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">able to move</span></a>, <a href="#sexual_reproduction"><span title="See entry on this page at § sexual reproduction" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">reproduce sexually</span></a>, and grow from a <a href="/wiki/Blastula" class="mw-redirect" title="Blastula">blastula</a> during embryonic development. An estimated 7 million distinct animal <a href="#species"><span title="See entry on this page at § species" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">species</span></a> currently exist.</dd> <dt id="antibiotic"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Antibiotic" title="Antibiotic">antibiotic</a></dfn></dt> <p class="glossary-hatnote"><style data-mw-deduplicate="TemplateStyles:r1236090951">.mw-parser-output .hatnote{font-style:italic}.mw-parser-output div.hatnote{padding-left:1.6em;margin-bottom:0.5em}.mw-parser-output .hatnote i{font-style:normal}.mw-parser-output .hatnote+link+.hatnote{margin-top:-0.5em}@media print{body.ns-0 .mw-parser-output .hatnote{display:none!important}}</style><span role="note" class="hatnote navigation-not-searchable selfref">Also called an <b>antibacterial</b>.</span></p> <dd>A type of antimicrobial <a href="#drug"><span title="See entry on this page at § drug" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">drug</span></a> used in the treatment and prevention of <a href="#bacteria"><span title="See entry on this page at § bacteria" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">bacterial</span></a> <a href="#infection"><span title="See entry on this page at § infection" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">infections</span></a>.</dd> <dt id="archaea"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Archaea" title="Archaea">Archaea</a></dfn></dt> <dd>One of the three recognized domains of organisms, the other two being <a href="/wiki/Bacteria" title="Bacteria">Bacteria</a> and <a href="/wiki/Eukaryote" title="Eukaryote">Eukaryota</a>.</dd> <dt id="artificial_selection"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Selective_breeding" title="Selective breeding">artificial selection</a></dfn></dt> <p class="glossary-hatnote"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1236090951"><span role="note" class="hatnote navigation-not-searchable selfref">Also called <b>selective breeding</b>.</span></p> <dd>The process by which humans use <a href="/wiki/Animal_breeding" title="Animal breeding">animal breeding</a> and <a href="/wiki/Plant_breeding" title="Plant breeding">plant breeding</a> to <a href="#natural_selection"><span title="See entry on this page at § natural selection" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">selectively</span></a> control the development of particular <a href="#phenotype"><span title="See entry on this page at § phenotype" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">phenotypic</span></a> <a href="#phenotypic_trait"><span title="See entry on this page at § phenotypic trait" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">traits</span></a> in organisms by choosing which individual organisms will <a href="#reproduction"><span title="See entry on this page at § reproduction" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">reproduce</span></a> and create <a href="#offspring"><span title="See entry on this page at § offspring" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">offspring</span></a>. While the deliberate exploitation of knowledge about <a href="#genetics"><span title="See entry on this page at § genetics" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">genetics</span></a> and <a href="#reproductive_biology"><span title="See entry on this page at § reproductive biology" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">reproductive biology</span></a> in the hope of producing desirable characteristics is widely practiced in <a href="#agriculture"><span title="See entry on this page at § agriculture" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">agriculture</span></a> and experimental biology, artificial selection may also be unintentional and may produce unintended (desirable or undesirable) results.</dd> <dt id="asexual_reproduction"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Asexual_reproduction" title="Asexual reproduction">asexual reproduction</a></dfn></dt> <dd>A type of <a href="#reproduction"><span title="See entry on this page at § reproduction" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">reproduction</span></a> involving a single parent that results in <a href="#offspring"><span title="See entry on this page at § offspring" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">offspring</span></a> that are genetically identical to the parent.</dd> <dt id="astrobiology"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Astrobiology" title="Astrobiology">astrobiology</a></dfn></dt> <dd>The branch of biology concerned with the effects of outer space on living organisms and the search for <a href="/wiki/Extraterrestrial_life" title="Extraterrestrial life">extraterrestrial life</a>.</dd> <dt id="autoimmunity"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Autoimmunity" title="Autoimmunity">autoimmunity</a></dfn></dt> <dd>The system of <a href="#immunity"><span title="See entry on this page at § immunity" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">immune</span></a> responses of an organism directed against its own healthy cells and tissues.</dd> <dt id="autotroph"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Autotroph" title="Autotroph">autotroph</a></dfn></dt> <p class="glossary-hatnote"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1236090951"><span role="note" class="hatnote navigation-not-searchable selfref">Sometimes used interchangeably with <b><a href="#primary_producer"><span title="See entry on this page at § primary producer" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">primary producer</span></a></b>.</span></p> <dd>An organism capable of producing complex <a href="/wiki/Organic_compound" title="Organic compound">organic compounds</a> from simple substances present in its surroundings, generally by using energy from sunlight (as in <a href="#photosynthesis"><span title="See entry on this page at § photosynthesis" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">photosynthesis</span></a>) or from inorganic chemical reactions (as in <a href="#chemosynthesis"><span title="See entry on this page at § chemosynthesis" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">chemosynthesis</span></a>). Autotrophs do not need to consume another living organism in order to obtain energy or organic carbon, as opposed to <a href="#heterotroph"><span title="See entry on this page at § heterotroph" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">heterotrophs</span></a>.</dd> </dl> <div class="noprint" style="text-align:center;"><div role="navigation" id="toc" class="toc plainlinks" aria-labelledby="tocheading" style="margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto; text-align:left;"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1129693374"><div class="hlist"> <div id="toctitle" class="toctitle" style="text-align:center;display:inline-block;"><span id="tocheading" style="font-weight:bold;">Contents: </span></div> <div style="margin:auto; display:inline-block;"> <ul><li><a href="#0–9">0–9</a></li> <li><a href="#A">A</a></li> <li><a href="#B">B</a></li> <li><a href="#C">C</a></li> <li><a href="#D">D</a></li> <li><a href="#E">E</a></li> <li><a href="#F">F</a></li> <li><a href="#G">G</a></li> <li><a href="#H">H</a></li> <li><a href="#I">I</a></li> <li><a href="#J">J</a></li> <li><a href="#K">K</a></li> <li><a href="#L">L</a></li> <li><a href="#M">M</a></li> <li><a href="#N">N</a></li> <li><a href="#O">O</a></li> <li><a href="#P">P</a></li> <li><a href="#Q">Q</a></li> <li><a href="#R">R</a></li> <li><a href="#S">S</a></li> <li><a href="#T">T</a></li> <li><a href="#U">U</a></li> <li><a href="#V">V</a></li> <li><a href="#W">W</a></li> <li><a href="#X">X</a></li> <li><a href="#Y">Y</a></li> <li><a href="#Z">Z</a></li> <li><a href="#See_also">See also</a></li> <li><a href="#References">References</a></li> <li><a href="#External_links">External links</a></li></ul> </div></div></div></div> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="B">B</h2><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Glossary_of_biology&action=edit&section=2" title="Edit section: B"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1228772891"> <dl class="glossary"> <dt id="b_cell"><dfn><a href="/wiki/B_cell" title="B cell">B cell</a></dfn></dt> <dd>A type of lymphocyte in the humoral immunity of the adaptive immune system.</dd> <dt id="bacteria"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Bacteria" title="Bacteria">bacteria</a></dfn></dt> <dd>An enormous and diverse clade of microscopic, <a href="#prokaryote"><span title="See entry on this page at § prokaryote" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">prokaryotic</span></a>, single-celled organisms which lack a true <a href="#nucleus"><span title="See entry on this page at § nucleus" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">nucleus</span></a>. They represent one of the three fundamental biological <a href="#domain"><span title="See entry on this page at § domain" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">domains</span></a>.</dd> <dt id="bacteriophage"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Bacteriophage" title="Bacteriophage">bacteriophage</a></dfn></dt> <dd>A <a href="#virus"><span title="See entry on this page at § virus" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">virus</span></a> that infects and multiplies within <a href="#bacteria"><span title="See entry on this page at § bacteria" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">bacteria</span></a>.</dd> <dt id="barr_body"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Barr_body" title="Barr body">Barr body</a></dfn></dt> <dd>The inactive <a href="/wiki/X_chromosome" title="X chromosome">X chromosome</a> in a female somatic cell, rendered inactive in a process called <a href="/wiki/Lyonization" class="mw-redirect" title="Lyonization">lyonization</a>, in those species in which sex is <a href="/wiki/Sex-determination_system" title="Sex-determination system">determined</a> by the presence of the <a href="/wiki/Y_chromosome" title="Y chromosome">Y chromosome</a> (including humans) or <a href="/wiki/W_chromosome" class="mw-redirect" title="W chromosome">W chromosome</a> rather than by the presence of two X chromosomes or two <a href="/wiki/Z_chromosome" class="mw-redirect" title="Z chromosome">Z chromosomes</a>.</dd> <dt id="basal_body"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Basal_body" title="Basal body">basal body</a></dfn></dt> <dd>An organelle formed from a <a href="/wiki/Centriole" title="Centriole">centriole</a>, and a short cylindrical array of microtubules. Also called a <i>basal granule</i>, a <i>kinetosome</i>, and in older cytological literature, a <i>blepharoplast</i>.</dd> <dt id="behavioral_ecology"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Behavioral_ecology" title="Behavioral ecology">behavioral ecology</a></dfn></dt> <dd>The study of the evolutionary basis for animal behavior due to ecological pressures.</dd> <dt id="bile"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Bile" title="Bile">bile</a></dfn></dt> <dd>A dark green to yellowish-brown fluid, produced by the liver of most vertebrates, which aids the digestion of <a href="/wiki/Lipid" title="Lipid">lipids</a> in the small intestine. Also called <i>gall</i>.</dd> <dt id="binary_fission"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Fission_(biology)" title="Fission (biology)">binary fission</a></dfn></dt> <dd>The process by which one prokaryotic cell divides into two identical daughter cells.</dd> <dt id="binomial_nomenclature"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Binomial_nomenclature" title="Binomial nomenclature">binomial nomenclature</a></dfn></dt> <dd>A formal system of classifying <a href="#species"><span title="See entry on this page at § species" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">species</span></a> of living things by giving each a name composed of two parts, both of which use Latin grammatical forms, although they can be based on words from other languages.</dd> <dt id="biocatalysis"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Biocatalysis" title="Biocatalysis">biocatalysis</a></dfn></dt> <dd>The process of <a href="/wiki/Catalysis" title="Catalysis">catalysis</a> in biological systems. In biocatalytic processes, natural catalysts, such as protein enzymes, perform chemical transformations on organic compounds.</dd> <dt id="biochemistry"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Biochemistry" title="Biochemistry">biochemistry</a></dfn></dt> <dd>The branch of biology that studies the chemical properties, compositions, reactions, and processes related to living organisms.</dd> <dt id="biodiversity"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Biodiversity" title="Biodiversity">biodiversity</a></dfn></dt> <dd>A contraction of "biological diversity" generally referring to the variety and variability of life on Earth.</dd> <dt id="bioengineering"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Bioengineering" class="mw-redirect" title="Bioengineering">bioengineering</a></dfn></dt> <dd>The application of concepts and methods of biology to solve real-world problems related to the life sciences or the application thereof.</dd> <dt id="bioenergetics"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Bioenergetics" title="Bioenergetics">bioenergetics</a></dfn></dt> <dd>The study of the transformation of energy within and between living organisms.</dd> <dt id="biogeography"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Biogeography" title="Biogeography">biogeography</a></dfn></dt> <dd>The study of the distribution of species and ecosystems in geographic space and through geological time. Organisms and biological communities often vary in a regular fashion along geographic gradients of latitude, elevation, isolation and habitat area.</dd> <dt id="bioinformatics"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Bioinformatics" title="Bioinformatics">bioinformatics</a></dfn></dt> <dd>The application of computer technology to the management of biological information.</dd> <dt id="biological_organization"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Biological_organization" class="mw-redirect" title="Biological organization">biological organization</a></dfn></dt> <dd>The hierarchy of complex biological structures and systems, designed to define life through a reductionist approach.</dd> <dt id="biology"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Biology" title="Biology">biology</a></dfn></dt> <dd>The scientific study of life.</dd> <dt id="biomass"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Biomass" title="Biomass">biomass</a></dfn></dt> <dd>Organic matter derived from living or recently living organisms. Biomass can be used as a source of energy and it most often refers to plants or plant-based materials which are not used for food or feed, and are specifically called lignocellulosic biomass.</dd> <dt id="biomathematics"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Biomathematics" class="mw-redirect" title="Biomathematics">biomathematics</a></dfn></dt> <dd>The theoretical use of mathematical models and abstractions of living systems to understand and predict biological problems.</dd> <dt id="biome"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Biome" title="Biome">biome</a></dfn></dt> <dd>Any very large <a href="#ecology"><span title="See entry on this page at § ecology" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">ecological</span></a> area on the Earth's surface containing fauna and flora (animals and plants) adapting to their environment. Biomes are often defined by <a href="#abiotic_component"><span title="See entry on this page at § abiotic component" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">abiotic factors</span></a> such as climate, topographical relief, geology, soils, and water resources.</dd> <dt id="biomechanics"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Biomechanics" title="Biomechanics">biomechanics</a></dfn></dt> <dd>The study of the structure and function of biological systems by means of the methods of "mechanics", which is the branch of physics involving analysis of the actions of forces.</dd> <dt id="biomedical_engineering"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Biomedical_engineering" title="Biomedical engineering">biomedical engineering</a></dfn></dt> <dd>The application of engineering principles and design concepts to medicine and biology for healthcare purposes (e.g. diagnostic or therapeutic).</dd> <dt id="biomedical_research"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Biomedical_research" class="mw-redirect" title="Biomedical research">biomedical research</a></dfn></dt> <dd>The pursuit of answers to medical questions. These investigations lead to discoveries, which in turn lead to the development of new preventions, therapies, and cures for problems in human and veterinary health. Biomedical research generally takes two forms: basic science and applied research.</dd> <dt id="biomolecule"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Biomolecule" title="Biomolecule">biomolecule</a></dfn></dt> <dd><a href="/wiki/Molecules" class="mw-redirect" title="Molecules">Molecules</a> and <a href="/wiki/Ions" class="mw-redirect" title="Ions">ions</a> that are present in organisms, essential to some typically biological process such as <a href="#cell_division"><span title="See entry on this page at § cell division" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">cell division</span></a>, <a href="/wiki/Morphogenesis" title="Morphogenesis">morphogenesis</a>, or development.</dd> <dt id="biophysics"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Biophysics" title="Biophysics">biophysics</a></dfn></dt> <dd>The application of approaches traditionally employed in physics to study biological systems.</dd> <dt id="biosynthesis"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Biosynthesis" title="Biosynthesis">biosynthesis</a></dfn></dt> <dd></dd> <dt id="biotechnology"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Biotechnology" title="Biotechnology">biotechnology</a></dfn></dt> <dd>Biotechnology is the use of living systems and organisms to develop or make products, or "any technological application that uses biological systems, living organisms or derivatives thereof, to make or modify products or processes for specific use" (UN Convention on Biological Diversity).</dd> <dt id="bipedal"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Bipedal" class="mw-redirect" title="Bipedal">bipedal</a></dfn></dt> <dd>A form of terrestrial locomotion where an organism moves by means of its two rear limbs or legs.</dd> <dt id="birth"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Birth" title="Birth">birth</a></dfn></dt> <dd></dd> <dt id="blastocyst"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Blastocyst" title="Blastocyst">blastocyst</a></dfn></dt> <dd>A mammalian <a href="/wiki/Blastula" class="mw-redirect" title="Blastula">blastula</a> in which some differentiation of cells has occurred.</dd> <dt id="blood"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Blood" title="Blood">blood</a></dfn></dt> <dd>A <a href="/wiki/Body_fluid" title="Body fluid">body fluid</a> that circulates in humans and other vertebrate animals and is generally responsible for delivering necessary substances such as <a href="/wiki/Oxygen" title="Oxygen">oxygen</a> and nutrients between the cells and tissues of the body and transporting <a href="/wiki/Metabolic_waste" title="Metabolic waste">metabolic waste</a> products away from those same cells and tissues.</dd> <dt id="blood–brain_barrier"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Blood%E2%80%93brain_barrier" title="Blood–brain barrier">blood–brain barrier</a></dfn></dt> <dd>A semipermeable membrane separating the blood from the cerebrospinal fluid, and constituting a barrier to the passage of cells, particles, and large molecules.</dd> <dt id="botany"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Botany" title="Botany">botany</a></dfn></dt> <dd>The branch of biology that studies <a href="#plant"><span title="See entry on this page at § plant" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">plants</span></a>.</dd> <dt id="building_biology"><dfn>building biology</dfn></dt> <dd>A science that leads to natural healthy ecological homes, schools, and workplaces that exist in harmony with the environment.</dd> </dl> <div class="noprint" style="text-align:center;"><div role="navigation" id="toc" class="toc plainlinks" aria-labelledby="tocheading" style="margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto; text-align:left;"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1129693374"><div class="hlist"> <div id="toctitle" class="toctitle" style="text-align:center;display:inline-block;"><span id="tocheading" style="font-weight:bold;">Contents: </span></div> <div style="margin:auto; display:inline-block;"> <ul><li><a href="#0–9">0–9</a></li> <li><a href="#A">A</a></li> <li><a href="#B">B</a></li> <li><a href="#C">C</a></li> <li><a href="#D">D</a></li> <li><a href="#E">E</a></li> <li><a href="#F">F</a></li> <li><a href="#G">G</a></li> <li><a href="#H">H</a></li> <li><a href="#I">I</a></li> <li><a href="#J">J</a></li> <li><a href="#K">K</a></li> <li><a href="#L">L</a></li> <li><a href="#M">M</a></li> <li><a href="#N">N</a></li> <li><a href="#O">O</a></li> <li><a href="#P">P</a></li> <li><a href="#Q">Q</a></li> <li><a href="#R">R</a></li> <li><a href="#S">S</a></li> <li><a href="#T">T</a></li> <li><a href="#U">U</a></li> <li><a href="#V">V</a></li> <li><a href="#W">W</a></li> <li><a href="#X">X</a></li> <li><a href="#Y">Y</a></li> <li><a href="#Z">Z</a></li> <li><a href="#See_also">See also</a></li> <li><a href="#References">References</a></li> <li><a href="#External_links">External links</a></li></ul> </div></div></div></div> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="C">C</h2><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Glossary_of_biology&action=edit&section=3" title="Edit section: C"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1228772891"> <dl class="glossary"> <dt id="calvin_cycle"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Light-independent_reactions#Coupling_to_other_metabolic_pathways" class="mw-redirect" title="Light-independent reactions">Calvin cycle</a></dfn></dt> <p class="glossary-hatnote"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1236090951"><span role="note" class="hatnote navigation-not-searchable selfref">Also called the <b>biosynthetic phase</b>, <b>light-independent reactions</b>, <b>dark reactions</b>, or <b>photosynthetic carbon reduction (PCR) cycle</b>.</span></p> <dd>A series of chemical reactions which occurs as one of two primary phases of <a href="#photosynthesis"><span title="See entry on this page at § photosynthesis" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">photosynthesis</span></a>, specifically the phase in which <a href="/wiki/Carbon_dioxide" title="Carbon dioxide">carbon dioxide</a> and other compounds are converted into simple <a href="#carbohydrate"><span title="See entry on this page at § carbohydrate" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">carbohydrates</span></a> such as <a href="/wiki/Glucose" title="Glucose">glucose</a>. These reactions occur in the <a href="/wiki/Stroma_(fluid)" title="Stroma (fluid)">stroma</a>, the fluid-filled area of the <a href="#chloroplast"><span title="See entry on this page at § chloroplast" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">chloroplast</span></a> outside the <a href="/wiki/Thylakoid_membrane" class="mw-redirect" title="Thylakoid membrane">thylakoid membranes</a>. In the Calvin cycle, the products of previous <a href="#light-dependent_reactions"><span title="See entry on this page at § light-dependent reactions" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">light-dependent reactions</span></a> (<a href="#atp"><span title="See entry on this page at § ATP" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">ATP</span></a> and <a href="#nadph"><span title="See entry on this page at § NADPH" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">NADPH</span></a>) undergo further reactions which do not require the presence of light and which can be broadly divided into three stages: <a href="#carbon_fixation"><span title="See entry on this page at § carbon fixation" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">carbon fixation</span></a>, reduction reactions, and <a href="/wiki/Ribulose_1,5-bisphosphate" title="Ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate">ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate</a> (RuBP) regeneration.<sup id="cite_ref-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-1"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>1<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup></dd> <dt id="carbon_fixation"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Carbon_fixation" class="mw-redirect" title="Carbon fixation">carbon fixation</a></dfn></dt> <p class="glossary-hatnote"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1236090951"><span role="note" class="hatnote navigation-not-searchable selfref">Also called <b>carbon assimilation</b>.</span></p> <dd>The process by which inorganic carbon, particularly in the form of <a href="/wiki/Carbon_dioxide" title="Carbon dioxide">carbon dioxide</a>, is converted to <a href="/wiki/Organic_compound" title="Organic compound">organic compounds</a> by living organisms. Examples include <a href="#photosynthesis"><span title="See entry on this page at § photosynthesis" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">photosynthesis</span></a> and <a href="#chemosynthesis"><span title="See entry on this page at § chemosynthesis" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">chemosynthesis</span></a>.</dd> <dt id="carbonate"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Carbonate" title="Carbonate">carbonate</a></dfn></dt> <dd>Any member of two classes of chemical compounds derived from <a href="/wiki/Carbonic_acid" title="Carbonic acid">carbonic acid</a> or <a href="/wiki/Carbon_dioxide" title="Carbon dioxide">carbon dioxide</a>.</dd> <dt id="carotenoid"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Carotenoid" title="Carotenoid">carotenoid</a></dfn></dt> <dd>One of a class of organic pigments produced by <a href="#algae"><span title="See entry on this page at § algae" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">algae</span></a> and <a href="#plant"><span title="See entry on this page at § plant" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">plants</span></a>, as well as certain <a href="#bacteria"><span title="See entry on this page at § bacteria" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">bacteria</span></a> and <a href="#fungi"><span title="See entry on this page at § fungi" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">fungi</span></a>.</dd> <dt id="catalase"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Catalase" title="Catalase">catalase</a></dfn></dt> <dd>An <a href="#enzyme"><span title="See entry on this page at § enzyme" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">enzyme</span></a> found in nearly all living organisms exposed to <a href="/wiki/Oxygen" title="Oxygen">oxygen</a>, including <a href="#bacteria"><span title="See entry on this page at § bacteria" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">bacteria</span></a>, <a href="#plant"><span title="See entry on this page at § plant" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">plants</span></a>, and <a href="#animal"><span title="See entry on this page at § animal" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">animals</span></a>.</dd> <dt id="cell"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Cell_(biology)" title="Cell (biology)">cell</a></dfn></dt> <dd>The basic structural and functional unit of all living <a href="#organism"><span title="See entry on this page at § organism" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">organisms</span></a>, and the smallest functional unit of <a href="#life"><span title="See entry on this page at § life" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">life</span></a>. A cell may exist as an independent, self-replicating unit (as in the case of <a href="#unicellular"><span title="See entry on this page at § unicellular" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">unicellular organisms</span></a>), or in cooperation with other cells, each of which may be specialized for carrying out particular functions within a larger <a href="#multicellular"><span title="See entry on this page at § multicellular" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">multicellular organism</span></a>. Cells consist of <a href="#cytoplasm"><span title="See entry on this page at § cytoplasm" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">cytoplasm</span></a> enclosed within a <a href="#cell_membrane"><span title="See entry on this page at § cell membrane" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">cell membrane</span></a> and sometimes a <a href="#cell_wall"><span title="See entry on this page at § cell wall" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">cell wall</span></a>, and serve the fundamental purpose of separating the controlled environment in which biochemical processes take place from the outside world. Most cells are visible only under a <a href="/wiki/Microscope" title="Microscope">microscope</a>.</dd> <dt id="cell_biology"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Cell_biology" title="Cell biology">cell biology</a></dfn></dt> <p class="glossary-hatnote"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1236090951"><span role="note" class="hatnote navigation-not-searchable selfref">Also called <b>cytology</b>.</span></p> <dd>The branch of biology that studies the structure and function of living <a href="#cell"><span title="See entry on this page at § cell" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">cells</span></a>, including their <a href="#physiology"><span title="See entry on this page at § physiology" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">physiological</span></a> properties, <a href="#metabolism"><span title="See entry on this page at § metabolism" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">metabolic</span></a> processes, chemical composition, <a href="#life_cycle"><span title="See entry on this page at § life cycle" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">life cycle</span></a>, the <a href="#organelle"><span title="See entry on this page at § organelle" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">organelles</span></a> they contain, and their interactions with their environment. This is done at both <a href="/wiki/Microscope" title="Microscope">microscopic</a> and <a href="#molecular_biology"><span title="See entry on this page at § molecular biology" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">molecular</span></a> levels.</dd> <dt id="cell_cycle"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Cell_cycle" title="Cell cycle">cell cycle</a></dfn></dt> <dd>The ordered series of events which take place in a <a href="#cell"><span title="See entry on this page at § cell" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">cell</span></a> leading to <a href="#dna_replication"><span title="See entry on this page at § DNA replication" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">duplication</span></a> of its genetic material and ultimately the <a href="#cell_division"><span title="See entry on this page at § cell division" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">division</span></a> of the <a href="#cytoplasm"><span title="See entry on this page at § cytoplasm" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">cytoplasm</span></a> and <a href="#organelle"><span title="See entry on this page at § organelle" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">organelles</span></a> to produce two or more daughter cells. These events can be broadly divided into phases of growth and division, each of which can vary in duration and complexity depending on the tissue or organism to which the cell belongs. Cell cycles are essential processes in all <a href="#unicellular"><span title="See entry on this page at § unicellular" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">unicellular</span></a> and <a href="#multicellular"><span title="See entry on this page at § multicellular" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">multicellular</span></a> organisms.</dd> <dt id="cell_division"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Cell_division" title="Cell division">cell division</a></dfn></dt> <dd>Any process by which a parent <a href="#cell"><span title="See entry on this page at § cell" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">cell</span></a> divides into two or more daughter cells. Examples include <a href="#binary_fission"><span title="See entry on this page at § binary fission" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">binary fission</span></a>, <a href="#mitosis"><span title="See entry on this page at § mitosis" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">mitosis</span></a>, and <a href="#meiosis"><span title="See entry on this page at § meiosis" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">meiosis</span></a>.</dd> <dt id="cell_membrane"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Cell_membrane" title="Cell membrane">cell membrane</a></dfn></dt> <dd>The semipermeable <a href="#cell_membrane"><span title="See entry on this page at § cell membrane" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">membrane</span></a> surrounding the <a href="#cytoplasm"><span title="See entry on this page at § cytoplasm" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">cytoplasm</span></a> of a <a href="#cell"><span title="See entry on this page at § cell" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">cell</span></a>.</dd> <span id="nucleus"></span><dt id="cell_nucleus"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Cell_nucleus" title="Cell nucleus">cell nucleus</a></dfn></dt> <dd>The "control room" for the <a href="#cell"><span title="See entry on this page at § cell" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">cell</span></a>. The nucleus gives out all the orders.</dd> <dt id="cell_plate"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Cell_plate" title="Cell plate">cell plate</a></dfn></dt> <dd>Grown in the cell's center, it fuses with the parental plasma membrane, creating a new <a href="#cell_wall"><span title="See entry on this page at § cell wall" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">cell wall</span></a> that enables <a href="#cell_division"><span title="See entry on this page at § cell division" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">cell division</span></a>.</dd> <dt id="cell_theory"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Cell_theory" title="Cell theory">cell theory</a></dfn></dt> <dd>The theory that all living things are made up of <a href="#cell"><span title="See entry on this page at § cell" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">cells</span></a>.</dd> <dt id="cell_wall"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Cell_wall" title="Cell wall">cell wall</a></dfn></dt> <dd>A tough, often rigid structural barrier surrounding certain types of <a href="#cell"><span title="See entry on this page at § cell" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">cells</span></a> (such as in <a href="#fungi"><span title="See entry on this page at § fungi" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">fungi</span></a>, <a href="#plant"><span title="See entry on this page at § plant" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">plants</span></a>, and most <a href="#prokaryote"><span title="See entry on this page at § prokaryote" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">prokaryotes</span></a>) that is immediately external to the <a href="#cell_membrane"><span title="See entry on this page at § cell membrane" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">cell membrane</span></a>.</dd> <dt id="cellular"><dfn>cellular</dfn></dt> <dd>Of or relating to a <a href="#cell"><span title="See entry on this page at § cell" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">cell</span></a>.</dd> <dt id="central_dogma_of_molecular_biology"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Central_dogma_of_molecular_biology" title="Central dogma of molecular biology">central dogma of molecular biology</a></dfn></dt> <dd>A framework for understanding the movement of <a href="#genetics"><span title="See entry on this page at § genetics" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">genetic</span></a> information between information-carrying <a href="/wiki/Biopolymer" title="Biopolymer">biopolymers</a> within biological systems. Popularly (though simplistically) stated as "<a href="#dna"><span title="See entry on this page at § DNA" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">DNA</span></a> makes <a href="#rna"><span title="See entry on this page at § RNA" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">RNA</span></a> and RNA makes <a href="#protein"><span title="See entry on this page at § protein" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">protein</span></a>", the principle attempts to capture the notion that the transfer of genetic information only naturally occurs between certain classes of molecules and in certain directions.</dd> <dt id="centriole"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Centriole" title="Centriole">centriole</a></dfn></dt> <dd>A cylindrical cell structure found in most eukaryotic cells, composed mainly of a <a href="#protein"><span title="See entry on this page at § protein" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">protein</span></a> called <a href="/wiki/Tubulin" title="Tubulin">tubulin</a>.</dd> <dt id="centrosome"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Centrosome" title="Centrosome">centrosome</a></dfn></dt> <dd>An <a href="#organelle"><span title="See entry on this page at § organelle" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">organelle</span></a> that is the primary site at which <a href="/wiki/Microtubule" title="Microtubule">microtubules</a> are organized. They occur only in plant and animal cells and help to regulate <a href="#cell_division"><span title="See entry on this page at § cell division" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">cell division</span></a>.</dd> <dt id="chemical_compound"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Chemical_compound" title="Chemical compound">chemical compound</a></dfn></dt> <dd>A chemical substance consisting of two or more different <a href="/wiki/Chemical_bond" title="Chemical bond">chemically bonded</a> <a href="/wiki/Chemical_element" title="Chemical element">elements</a>, with a fixed ratio determining the composition. The ratio of each element is usually expressed by a <a href="/wiki/Chemical_formula" title="Chemical formula">chemical formula</a>.</dd> <dt id="chemical_equilibrium"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Chemical_equilibrium" title="Chemical equilibrium">chemical equilibrium</a></dfn></dt> <dd>The state in which both reactants and products are present in concentrations which have no further tendency to change with time in a chemical reaction.</dd> <dt id="chemical_reaction"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Chemical_reaction" title="Chemical reaction">chemical reaction</a></dfn></dt> <dd>A process that leads to the transformation of one set of chemical substances to another.</dd> <dt id="chemistry"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Chemistry" title="Chemistry">chemistry</a></dfn></dt> <dd>A branch of the physical sciences that studies the composition, structure, properties, and change of <a href="/wiki/Matter" title="Matter">matter</a>. Chemical interactions underlie all biological processes.</dd> <dt id="chemosynthesis"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Chemosynthesis" title="Chemosynthesis">chemosynthesis</a></dfn></dt> <dd></dd> <dt id="chlorophyll"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Chlorophyll" title="Chlorophyll">chlorophyll</a></dfn></dt> <dd>Any of several <a href="#photosynthesis"><span title="See entry on this page at § photosynthesis" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">photosynthetic</span></a> pigments found in <a href="/wiki/Cyanobacteria" title="Cyanobacteria">cyanobacteria</a>, <a href="#algae"><span title="See entry on this page at § algae" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">algae</span></a>, or <a href="#plant"><span title="See entry on this page at § plant" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">plants</span></a>.</dd> <dt id="chloroplast"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Chloroplast" title="Chloroplast">chloroplast</a></dfn></dt> <dd>A type of highly specialized <a href="#organelle"><span title="See entry on this page at § organelle" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">organelle</span></a> in the cells of <a href="#plant"><span title="See entry on this page at § plant" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">plants</span></a> and <a href="#algae"><span title="See entry on this page at § algae" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">algae</span></a>, the main role of which is to conduct <a href="#photosynthesis"><span title="See entry on this page at § photosynthesis" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">photosynthesis</span></a>, by which the photosynthetic pigment <a href="#chlorophyll"><span title="See entry on this page at § chlorophyll" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">chlorophyll</span></a> captures the energy from sunlight and converts and stores it in the molecules <a href="#atp"><span title="See entry on this page at § ATP" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">ATP</span></a> and <a href="#nadph"><span title="See entry on this page at § NADPH" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">NADPH</span></a> while freeing oxygen from water.</dd> <dt id="cholesterol"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Cholesterol" title="Cholesterol">cholesterol</a></dfn></dt> <dd>A type of <a href="/wiki/Lipid" title="Lipid">lipid</a> molecule that is <a href="#biosynthesis"><span title="See entry on this page at § biosynthesis" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">biosynthesized</span></a> by all <a href="#animal"><span title="See entry on this page at § animal" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">animal</span></a> cells because it is an essential structural component of animal <a href="#cell_membrane"><span title="See entry on this page at § cell membrane" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">cell membranes</span></a>, essential for maintaining both membrane structural integrity and fluidity.</dd> <dt id="chromosome"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Chromosome" title="Chromosome">chromosome</a></dfn></dt> <dd>A threadlike strand of <a href="#dna"><span title="See entry on this page at § DNA" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">DNA</span></a> in the <a href="/wiki/Cell_nucleus" title="Cell nucleus">cell nucleus</a> that carries the <a href="/wiki/Gene" title="Gene">genes</a> in a linear order.</dd> <dt id="cilia"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Cilia" class="mw-redirect" title="Cilia">cilia</a></dfn></dt> <dd></dd> <dt id="circadian_rhythm"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Circadian_rhythm" title="Circadian rhythm">circadian rhythm</a></dfn></dt> <dd></dd> <dt id="citric_acid_cycle"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Citric_acid_cycle" title="Citric acid cycle">citric acid cycle</a></dfn></dt> <p class="glossary-hatnote"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1236090951"><span role="note" class="hatnote navigation-not-searchable selfref">Also called the <b>Krebs cycle</b> and <b>tricarboxylic acid cycle (TCA)</b>.</span></p> <dd>A series of chemical reactions used by all <a href="#aerobic"><span title="See entry on this page at § aerobic" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">aerobic</span></a> organisms to generate energy through the oxidation of acetyl-CoA derived from <a href="#carbohydrate"><span title="See entry on this page at § carbohydrate" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">carbohydrates</span></a>, <a href="#fat"><span title="See entry on this page at § fat" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">fats</span></a>, and <a href="#protein"><span title="See entry on this page at § protein" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">proteins</span></a> into <a href="/wiki/Carbon_dioxide" title="Carbon dioxide">carbon dioxide</a> and chemical energy in the form of <a href="/wiki/Guanosine_triphosphate" title="Guanosine triphosphate">guanosine triphosphate</a> (GTP). In addition, the cycle provides the chemical precursors for certain <a href="#amino_acid"><span title="See entry on this page at § amino acid" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">amino acids</span></a> as well as the reducing agent <a href="/wiki/NADH" class="mw-redirect" title="NADH">NADH</a> that is used in numerous other biochemical reactions. Its central importance to many biochemical pathways suggests that it was one of the earliest established components of cellular <a href="#metabolism"><span title="See entry on this page at § metabolism" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">metabolism</span></a> and may have originated abiogenically.</dd> <dt id="clade"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Clade" title="Clade">clade</a></dfn></dt> <dd></dd> <dt id="class"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Class_(biology)" title="Class (biology)">class</a></dfn></dt> <dd></dd> <dt id="clonal_selection"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Clonal_selection" title="Clonal selection">clonal selection</a></dfn></dt> <dd>A scientific theory in <a href="/wiki/Immunology" title="Immunology">immunology</a> that explains the functions of cells (<a href="/wiki/Lymphocytes" class="mw-redirect" title="Lymphocytes">lymphocytes</a>) of the <a href="/wiki/Immune_system" title="Immune system">immune system</a> in response to specific <a href="/wiki/Antigen" title="Antigen">antigens</a> invading the body. The theory has become the widely accepted model for how the immune system responds to <a href="/wiki/Infection" title="Infection">infection</a> and how certain types of <a href="/wiki/B_cells" class="mw-redirect" title="B cells">B</a> and <a href="/wiki/T_lymphocytes" class="mw-redirect" title="T lymphocytes">T lymphocytes</a> are selected for destruction of specific antigens.<sup id="cite_ref-Rajewsky1996_2-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-Rajewsky1996-2"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>2<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </dd> <dt id="cloning"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Cloning" title="Cloning">cloning</a></dfn></dt> <dd>The process of producing individual organisms or molecules with identical or virtually identical <a href="#dna"><span title="See entry on this page at § DNA" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">DNA</span></a>, either naturally or artificially. Many organisms, such as <a href="#bacteria"><span title="See entry on this page at § bacteria" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">bacteria</span></a>, insects, and <a href="#plant"><span title="See entry on this page at § plant" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">plants</span></a>, are capable of naturally producing clones through <a href="#asexual_reproduction"><span title="See entry on this page at § asexual reproduction" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">asexual reproduction</span></a>. In <a href="#biotechnology"><span title="See entry on this page at § biotechnology" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">biotechnology</span></a>, cloning refers to the artificial creation of copies of cells, DNA fragments, or other <a href="#biomolecule"><span title="See entry on this page at § biomolecule" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">biomolecules</span></a> by various laboratory techniques.</dd> <dt id="coat,_coating"><dfn><a href="/w/index.php?title=Coat_(biology)&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Coat (biology) (page does not exist)">coat, coating</a></dfn></dt> <dd>In the context of virus capsid, may refer colloquially to the defined geometric structure of a capsid, or the membrane of an endosome containing an intact virion. The coat of a virus is used in descriptions for the general public. Related slang: uncoating.</dd> <dt id="colony"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Colony_(biology)" title="Colony (biology)">colony</a></dfn></dt> <dd></dd> <dt id="comparative_biology"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Comparative_biology" title="Comparative biology">comparative biology</a></dfn></dt> <dd>The use of <a href="/wiki/Comparative_method" title="Comparative method">comparative methods</a> to study the similarities and differences between two or more biological organisms (e.g. two organisms from the same time period but different <a href="#taxon"><span title="See entry on this page at § taxon" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">taxa</span></a>, or two organisms from the same taxon but different times in evolutionary history). The side-by-side comparison of <a href="#morphology"><span title="See entry on this page at § morphology" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">morphological</span></a> or <a href="#molecular_biology"><span title="See entry on this page at § molecular biology" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">molecular</span></a> characteristics of different organisms is the basis from which biologists infer the organisms' genetic relatedness and their natural histories. It is a fundamental tool in many biological disciplines, including <a href="/wiki/Comparative_anatomy" title="Comparative anatomy">anatomy</a>, <a href="/wiki/Comparative_physiology" title="Comparative physiology">physiology</a>, <a href="#paleontology"><span title="See entry on this page at § paleontology" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">paleontology</span></a>, and <a href="#phylogenetics"><span title="See entry on this page at § phylogenetics" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">phylogenetics</span></a>.</dd> <dt id="conservation_biology"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Conservation_biology" title="Conservation biology">conservation biology</a></dfn></dt> <dd>The scientific study of nature and of Earth's <a href="#biodiversity"><span title="See entry on this page at § biodiversity" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">biodiversity</span></a> with the aim of protecting <a href="#species"><span title="See entry on this page at § species" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">species</span></a>, their <a href="#habitat"><span title="See entry on this page at § habitat" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">habitats</span></a>, and <a href="#ecosystem"><span title="See entry on this page at § ecosystem" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">ecosystems</span></a> from excessive rates of <a href="#extinction"><span title="See entry on this page at § extinction" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">extinction</span></a> and the erosion of biotic interactions.</dd> <dt id="convergent_evolution"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Convergent_evolution" title="Convergent evolution">convergent evolution</a></dfn></dt> <dd>An <a href="#evolution"><span title="See entry on this page at § evolution" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">evolutionary</span></a> process by which <a href="#species"><span title="See entry on this page at § species" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">species</span></a> of different lineages independently develop similar characteristics, often to the point that the species appear to be more closely related than they actually are.</dd> <dt id="countercurrent_exchange"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Countercurrent_exchange" title="Countercurrent exchange">countercurrent exchange</a></dfn></dt> <dd>The crossover of some property, usually heat or some component, between two fluids flowing in opposite directions to each other. The phenomenon occurs naturally but is also frequently mimicked in industry and engineering.</dd> <dt id="crista"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Crista" title="Crista">crista</a></dfn></dt> <dd>A fold in the inner <a href="#membrane"><span title="See entry on this page at § membrane" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">membrane</span></a> of a <a href="#mitochondria"><span title="See entry on this page at § mitochondria" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">mitochondrion</span></a>.</dd> <dt id="cryobiology"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Cryobiology" title="Cryobiology">cryobiology</a></dfn></dt> <dd>The branch of biology that studies the effects of low temperatures on living things within Earth's <a href="/wiki/Cryosphere" title="Cryosphere">cryosphere</a> or in laboratory experiments.</dd> <dt id="cytology"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Cytology" class="mw-redirect" title="Cytology">cytology</a></dfn></dt> <dd>See <i><a href="#cell_biology"><span title="See entry on this page at § cell biology" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">cell biology</span></a></i>.</dd> <dt id="cytoplasm"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Cytoplasm" title="Cytoplasm">cytoplasm</a></dfn></dt> <dd>All of the material within a <a href="#cell"><span title="See entry on this page at § cell" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">cell</span></a> and enclosed by the <a href="#cell_membrane"><span title="See entry on this page at § cell membrane" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">cell membrane</span></a>, except for the <a href="#nucleus"><span title="See entry on this page at § nucleus" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">nucleus</span></a>. The cytoplasm consists mainly of water, the gel-like <a href="/wiki/Cytosol" title="Cytosol">cytosol</a>, various <a href="#organelle"><span title="See entry on this page at § organelle" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">organelles</span></a>, and free-floating granules of <a href="#nutrient"><span title="See entry on this page at § nutrient" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">nutrients</span></a> and other <a href="#biomolecule"><span title="See entry on this page at § biomolecule" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">biomolecules</span></a>.</dd> <dt id="cytosine"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Cytosine" title="Cytosine">cytosine</a></dfn></dt> <dd>One of the four main nitrogenous bases found in both <a href="#dna"><span title="See entry on this page at § DNA" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">DNA</span></a> and <a href="#rna"><span title="See entry on this page at § RNA" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">RNA</span></a>, along with <a href="#adenine"><span title="See entry on this page at § adenine" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">adenine</span></a>, <a href="#guanine"><span title="See entry on this page at § guanine" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">guanine</span></a>, <a href="#thymine"><span title="See entry on this page at § thymine" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">thymine</span></a>, and <a href="#uracil"><span title="See entry on this page at § uracil" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">uracil</span></a> (in RNA); it is a <a href="/wiki/Pyrimidine" title="Pyrimidine">pyrimidine</a> derivative, with a heterocyclic aromatic ring and two substituents attached (an amine group at position 4 and a keto group at position 2).</dd> <dt id="cytoskeleton"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Cytoskeleton" title="Cytoskeleton">cytoskeleton</a></dfn></dt> <dd>A complex, dynamic network of interlinking <a href="/wiki/Protein_filament" title="Protein filament">protein filaments</a> that extends from the <a href="#nucleus"><span title="See entry on this page at § nucleus" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">cell nucleus</span></a> to the <a href="#cell_membrane"><span title="See entry on this page at § cell membrane" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">cell membrane</span></a> and which is present in the <a href="#cytoplasm"><span title="See entry on this page at § cytoplasm" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">cytoplasm</span></a> of all <a href="#cell"><span title="See entry on this page at § cell" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">cells</span></a>, including <a href="#bacteria"><span title="See entry on this page at § bacteria" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">bacteria</span></a> and <a href="#archaea"><span title="See entry on this page at § archaea" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">archaea</span></a>.<sup id="cite_ref-Hardin_3-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-Hardin-3"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>3<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> The cytoskeletal systems of different organisms are composed of similar proteins. In eukaryotes, the cytoskeletal matrix is a dynamic structure composed of three main proteins, which are capable of rapid growth or disassembly dependent on the cell's requirements.<sup id="cite_ref-4" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-4"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>4<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </dd> </dl> <div class="noprint" style="text-align:center;"><div role="navigation" id="toc" class="toc plainlinks" aria-labelledby="tocheading" style="margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto; text-align:left;"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1129693374"><div class="hlist"> <div id="toctitle" class="toctitle" style="text-align:center;display:inline-block;"><span id="tocheading" style="font-weight:bold;">Contents: </span></div> <div style="margin:auto; display:inline-block;"> <ul><li><a href="#0–9">0–9</a></li> <li><a href="#A">A</a></li> <li><a href="#B">B</a></li> <li><a href="#C">C</a></li> <li><a href="#D">D</a></li> <li><a href="#E">E</a></li> <li><a href="#F">F</a></li> <li><a href="#G">G</a></li> <li><a href="#H">H</a></li> <li><a href="#I">I</a></li> <li><a href="#J">J</a></li> <li><a href="#K">K</a></li> <li><a href="#L">L</a></li> <li><a href="#M">M</a></li> <li><a href="#N">N</a></li> <li><a href="#O">O</a></li> <li><a href="#P">P</a></li> <li><a href="#Q">Q</a></li> <li><a href="#R">R</a></li> <li><a href="#S">S</a></li> <li><a href="#T">T</a></li> <li><a href="#U">U</a></li> <li><a href="#V">V</a></li> <li><a href="#W">W</a></li> <li><a href="#X">X</a></li> <li><a href="#Y">Y</a></li> <li><a href="#Z">Z</a></li> <li><a href="#See_also">See also</a></li> <li><a href="#References">References</a></li> <li><a href="#External_links">External links</a></li></ul> </div></div></div></div> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="D">D</h2><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Glossary_of_biology&action=edit&section=4" title="Edit section: D"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1228772891"> <dl class="glossary"> <dt id="darwinian_fitness"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Darwinian_fitness" class="mw-redirect" title="Darwinian fitness">Darwinian fitness</a></dfn></dt> <dd>The <a href="#genetics"><span title="See entry on this page at § genetics" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">genetic</span></a> contribution of an individual to the next <a href="#generation"><span title="See entry on this page at § generation" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">generation</span></a>'s <a href="#gene_pool"><span title="See entry on this page at § gene pool" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">gene pool</span></a> relative to the average for the population, usually measured by the number of <a href="#offspring"><span title="See entry on this page at § offspring" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">offspring</span></a> or close kin that survive to <a href="#reproductive"><span title="See entry on this page at § reproductive" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">reproductive</span></a> age.</dd> <dt id="deciduous"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Deciduous" title="Deciduous">deciduous</a></dfn></dt> <dd>Deciduous means "falling off at maturity" or "tending to fall off", and it is typically used in <a href="#botany"><span title="See entry on this page at § botany" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">botany</span></a> in order to refer to <a href="/wiki/Tree" title="Tree">trees</a> or <a href="/wiki/Shrub" title="Shrub">shrubs</a> that lose their <a href="/wiki/Leaf" title="Leaf">leaves</a> seasonally (most commonly during autumn) and to the shedding of other plant structures such as petals after flowering or fruits when ripe.</dd> <dt id="decomposition"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Decomposition" title="Decomposition">decomposition</a></dfn></dt> <dd>The process by which the <a href="#organic_compound"><span title="See entry on this page at § organic compound" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">organic compounds</span></a> of deceased organisms are broken down into simpler organic or <a href="#inorganic_compound"><span title="See entry on this page at § inorganic compound" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">inorganic matter</span></a> such as <a href="#carbon_dioxide"><span title="See entry on this page at § carbon dioxide" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">carbon dioxide</span></a>, <a href="#water"><span title="See entry on this page at § water" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">water</span></a>, simple sugars, and mineral salts. These reactions occur naturally by both <a href="#biotic"><span title="See entry on this page at § biotic" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">biotic</span></a> means (<a href="#biodegradation"><span title="See entry on this page at § biodegradation" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">biodegradation</span></a>, such as that practiced by many <a href="#bacteria"><span title="See entry on this page at § bacteria" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">bacteria</span></a> and <a href="#fungi"><span title="See entry on this page at § fungi" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">fungi</span></a>) and <a href="#abiotic"><span title="See entry on this page at § abiotic" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">abiotic</span></a> means (basic physical and chemical processes, such as <a href="/wiki/Hydrolysis" title="Hydrolysis">hydrolysis</a>). Decomposition recycles matter present in the <a href="#biosphere"><span title="See entry on this page at § biosphere" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">biosphere</span></a>, making it an essential part of the <a href="/wiki/Nutrient_cycle" title="Nutrient cycle">nutrient cycle</a>. Organisms that facilitate decomposition are known as <a href="#decomposer"><span title="See entry on this page at § decomposer" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">decomposers</span></a>; the scientific study of decomposition is known as <a href="#taphonomy"><span title="See entry on this page at § taphonomy" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">taphonomy</span></a>.</dd> <dt id="decomposer"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Decomposer" title="Decomposer">decomposer</a></dfn></dt> <dd>Any <a href="#organism"><span title="See entry on this page at § organism" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">organism</span></a> that facilitates the breakdown of dead or decaying organisms by carrying out the <a href="#decomposition"><span title="See entry on this page at § decomposition" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">decomposition</span></a> of complex biomolecules into simpler substances. Decomposers are <a href="#heterotroph"><span title="See entry on this page at § heterotroph" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">heterotrophs</span></a> which obtain energy and nutrition for their own growth and reproduction by recycling the chemical compounds contained in organic substrates. Microorganisms such as <a href="#bacteria"><span title="See entry on this page at § bacteria" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">bacteria</span></a> and <a href="#fungi"><span title="See entry on this page at § fungi" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">fungi</span></a> are the biosphere's chief decomposers, but <a href="#invertebrate"><span title="See entry on this page at § invertebrate" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">invertebrates</span></a> such as <a href="/wiki/Earthworm" title="Earthworm">earthworms</a> are also sometimes considered decomposers.</dd> <dt id="dehydration_reaction"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Dehydration_reaction" title="Dehydration reaction">dehydration reaction</a></dfn></dt> <dd>A chemical reaction that involves the loss of a <a href="/wiki/Water_molecule" class="mw-redirect" title="Water molecule">water molecule</a> from the reacting molecule.</dd> <dt id="denaturation"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Denaturation_(biochemistry)" title="Denaturation (biochemistry)">denaturation</a></dfn></dt> <dd>A process in which <a href="#protein"><span title="See entry on this page at § protein" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">proteins</span></a> or <a href="#nucleic_acid"><span title="See entry on this page at § nucleic acid" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">nucleic acids</span></a> lose the quaternary, tertiary, and secondary structure which is present in their native state, when exposed to some external stress or chemical compound such as a strong acid or base, a concentrated inorganic salt, or an organic solvent.</dd> <dt id="dendrite"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Dendrite" title="Dendrite">dendrite</a></dfn></dt> <dd>A short branched extension of a <a href="/wiki/Nerve_cell" class="mw-redirect" title="Nerve cell">nerve cell</a>, along which impulses received from other cells at <a href="/wiki/Synapse" title="Synapse">synapses</a> are transmitted to the cell body.</dd> <dt id="denitrification"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Denitrification" title="Denitrification">denitrification</a></dfn></dt> <dd>The microbially facilitated process of <a href="/wiki/Nitrate" title="Nitrate">nitrate</a> <a href="/wiki/Reduction_(chemistry)" class="mw-redirect" title="Reduction (chemistry)">reduction</a> that ultimately produces molecular nitrogen (N<sub>2</sub>) through a series of intermediate gaseous <a href="/wiki/Nitrogen_oxide" title="Nitrogen oxide">nitrogen oxide</a> products. It is performed by a large group of heterotrophic facultative anaerobic <a href="#bacteria"><span title="See entry on this page at § bacteria" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">bacteria</span></a> and is a fundamental component of the <a href="/wiki/Nitrogen_cycle" title="Nitrogen cycle">nitrogen cycle</a>.</dd> <span id="dNA"></span><dt id="deoxyribonucleic_acid_(dna)"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Deoxyribonucleic_acid" class="mw-redirect" title="Deoxyribonucleic acid">deoxyribonucleic acid</a> (DNA)</dfn></dt> <dd>A <a href="#nucleic_acid"><span title="See entry on this page at § nucleic acid" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">nucleic acid</span></a> <a href="#polymer"><span title="See entry on this page at § polymer" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">polymer</span></a> that serves as the fundamental hereditary material in all living organisms. Each DNA molecule is composed of long sequences of <a href="/wiki/Nucleotide" title="Nucleotide">nucleotides</a>, each of which includes one of four <a href="/wiki/Nucleobase" class="mw-redirect" title="Nucleobase">nitrogenous bases</a> – <a href="/wiki/Adenine" title="Adenine">adenine</a> (abbreviated A), <a href="/wiki/Cytosine" title="Cytosine">cytosine</a> (C), <a href="/wiki/Guanine" title="Guanine">guanine</a> (G), and <a href="/wiki/Thymine" title="Thymine">thymine</a> (T) – attached to a sugar-phosphate complex which acts as a "backbone" for the long-chain polymer. DNA most commonly occurs in "double-stranded" form, i.e. as a pair of nucleotide polymers bound together by <a href="/wiki/Complementarity_(molecular_biology)" title="Complementarity (molecular biology)">complementary</a> <a href="/wiki/Base_pairing" class="mw-redirect" title="Base pairing">base pairing</a>.</dd> <dt id="depolarization"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Depolarization" title="Depolarization">depolarization</a></dfn></dt> <dd>The process of reversing the charge across a <a href="#cell_membrane"><span title="See entry on this page at § cell membrane" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">cell membrane</span></a> (such as that of a <a href="/wiki/Neuron" title="Neuron">neuron</a>), thereby causing an <a href="#action_potential"><span title="See entry on this page at § action potential" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">action potential</span></a>. In depolarization, the inside of the membrane, which is normally negatively charged, becomes positive and the outside becomes negative. This is brought about by positively charged <a href="/wiki/Sodium" title="Sodium">sodium</a> ions rapidly passing into the <a href="/wiki/Axon" title="Axon">axon</a>.</dd> <dt id="desmosome"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Desmosome" title="Desmosome">desmosome</a></dfn></dt> <p class="glossary-hatnote"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1236090951"><span role="note" class="hatnote navigation-not-searchable selfref">Also called the <b>macula adhaerens</b>.</span></p> <dd>A cell structure specialized for cell-to-cell <a href="/wiki/Adhesion" title="Adhesion">adhesion</a>.</dd> <dt id="developmental_biology"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Developmental_biology" title="Developmental biology">developmental biology</a></dfn></dt> <dd>The branch of biology that studies the processes by which living organisms grow and develop over time. The field may also encompass the study of <a href="#reproduction"><span title="See entry on this page at § reproduction" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">reproduction</span></a>, <a href="#regeneration"><span title="See entry on this page at § regeneration" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">regeneration</span></a>, <a href="#metamorphosis"><span title="See entry on this page at § metamorphosis" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">metamorphosis</span></a>, and the growth and differentiation of <a href="#stem_cell"><span title="See entry on this page at § stem cell" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">stem cells</span></a> in mature tissues.</dd> <dt id="disease"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Disease" title="Disease">disease</a></dfn></dt> <dd>Any particular abnormal condition that negatively affects the structure or function of all or part of a living organism and that is not the result of any immediate external injury. Diseases are medical conditions that are often identifiable by specific <a href="/wiki/Medical_sign" class="mw-redirect" title="Medical sign">signs</a> and <a href="/wiki/Symptom" class="mw-redirect" title="Symptom">symptoms</a>. They may be caused by external factors such as infectious <a href="/wiki/Pathogen" title="Pathogen">pathogens</a> or by internal dysfunctions such as immune deficiency or <a href="#senescence"><span title="See entry on this page at § senescence" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">senescence</span></a>.</dd> <dt id="dna"><dfn><a href="/wiki/DNA" title="DNA">DNA</a></dfn></dt> <dd>See <i><a href="#dna"><span title="See entry on this page at § DNA" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">deoxyribonucleic acid</span></a></i>.</dd> <dt id="dna_replication"><dfn><a href="/wiki/DNA_replication" title="DNA replication">DNA replication</a></dfn></dt> <dd>The chemical duplication or copying of a <a href="#dna"><span title="See entry on this page at § DNA" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">DNA</span></a> molecule; the process of producing two identical copies from one original DNA molecule, in which the <a href="/wiki/Double_helix" class="mw-redirect" title="Double helix">double helix</a> is unwound and each strand acts as a template for the next strand. Complementary nucleotide bases are matched to synthesize the new partner strands.</dd> <dt id="dna_sequencing"><dfn><a href="/wiki/DNA_sequencing" title="DNA sequencing">DNA sequencing</a></dfn></dt> <dd>The process of determining the precise order of <a href="/wiki/Nucleotide" title="Nucleotide">nucleotides</a> within a <a href="#dna"><span title="See entry on this page at § DNA" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">DNA</span></a> molecule.</dd> <dt id="drug"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Drug" title="Drug">drug</a></dfn></dt> <dd>Any substance that causes a change in an organism's <a href="/wiki/Physiology" title="Physiology">physiology</a> or <a href="/wiki/Psychology" title="Psychology">psychology</a> when consumed. Drugs may be naturally occurring or artificially produced, and consumption may occur in a number of different ways. Drugs are typically distinguished from substances that provide nutritional support such as food.</dd> <dt id="dimorphism"><dfn>dimorphism</dfn></dt> <dd>The existence of a <a href="#morphology"><span title="See entry on this page at § morphology" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">morphological</span></a> distinction between organisms of the same <a href="#species"><span title="See entry on this page at § species" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">species</span></a>, such that individuals of that species occur in one of two distinct forms which differ in one or more characteristics, such as colour, size, shape, or any other <a href="/wiki/Phenotypic_trait" title="Phenotypic trait">phenotypic trait</a>. Dimorphism based on sex – e.g. male vs. female – is common in <a href="#sexual_reproduction"><span title="See entry on this page at § sexual reproduction" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">sexually reproducing</span></a> organisms such as plants and animals.</dd> <dt id="dynein"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Dynein" title="Dynein">dynein</a></dfn></dt> <dd>A motor <a href="#protein"><span title="See entry on this page at § protein" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">protein</span></a> in cells which converts the chemical energy contained in <a href="/wiki/Adenosine_triphosphate" title="Adenosine triphosphate">ATP</a> into the mechanical energy of movement.</dd> </dl> <div class="noprint" style="text-align:center;"><div role="navigation" id="toc" class="toc plainlinks" aria-labelledby="tocheading" style="margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto; text-align:left;"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1129693374"><div class="hlist"> <div id="toctitle" class="toctitle" style="text-align:center;display:inline-block;"><span id="tocheading" style="font-weight:bold;">Contents: </span></div> <div style="margin:auto; display:inline-block;"> <ul><li><a href="#0–9">0–9</a></li> <li><a href="#A">A</a></li> <li><a href="#B">B</a></li> <li><a href="#C">C</a></li> <li><a href="#D">D</a></li> <li><a href="#E">E</a></li> <li><a href="#F">F</a></li> <li><a href="#G">G</a></li> <li><a href="#H">H</a></li> <li><a href="#I">I</a></li> <li><a href="#J">J</a></li> <li><a href="#K">K</a></li> <li><a href="#L">L</a></li> <li><a href="#M">M</a></li> <li><a href="#N">N</a></li> <li><a href="#O">O</a></li> <li><a href="#P">P</a></li> <li><a href="#Q">Q</a></li> <li><a href="#R">R</a></li> <li><a href="#S">S</a></li> <li><a href="#T">T</a></li> <li><a href="#U">U</a></li> <li><a href="#V">V</a></li> <li><a href="#W">W</a></li> <li><a href="#X">X</a></li> <li><a href="#Y">Y</a></li> <li><a href="#Z">Z</a></li> <li><a href="#See_also">See also</a></li> <li><a href="#References">References</a></li> <li><a href="#External_links">External links</a></li></ul> </div></div></div></div> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="E">E</h2><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Glossary_of_biology&action=edit&section=5" title="Edit section: E"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1228772891"> <dl class="glossary"> <dt id="ecological_efficiency"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Ecological_efficiency" title="Ecological efficiency">ecological efficiency</a></dfn></dt> <dd>The efficiency with which <a href="/wiki/Energy" title="Energy">energy</a> is transferred from one <a href="#trophic_level"><span title="See entry on this page at § trophic level" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">trophic level</span></a> to the next. It is determined by a combination of efficiencies relating to organismic resource acquisition and assimilation in an <a href="#ecosystem"><span title="See entry on this page at § ecosystem" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">ecosystem</span></a>.</dd> <dt id="ecological_pyramid"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Ecological_pyramid" title="Ecological pyramid">ecological pyramid</a></dfn></dt> <p class="glossary-hatnote"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1236090951"><span role="note" class="hatnote navigation-not-searchable selfref">Also called a <b>trophic pyramid</b>, <b>eltonian pyramid</b>, <b>energy pyramid</b>, or sometimes <b>food pyramid</b>.</span></p> <dd>A graphical representation of the <a href="#biomass"><span title="See entry on this page at § biomass" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">biomass</span></a> or bio-productivity generated at each <a href="#trophic_level"><span title="See entry on this page at § trophic level" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">trophic level</span></a> in a given <a href="#ecosystem"><span title="See entry on this page at § ecosystem" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">ecosystem</span></a>.</dd> <dt id="ecological_succession"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Ecological_succession" title="Ecological succession">ecological succession</a></dfn></dt> <dd>The more or less predictable and orderly set of changes that occurs in the composition or structure of an ecological <a href="#community"><span title="See entry on this page at § community" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">community</span></a> over time.</dd> <dt id="ecology"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Ecology" title="Ecology">ecology</a></dfn></dt> <dd>The scientific analysis and study of interactions between <a href="#organism"><span title="See entry on this page at § organism" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">organisms</span></a> and their <a href="#environment"><span title="See entry on this page at § environment" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">environment</span></a>. It is an interdisciplinary field that combines concepts from biology, <a href="/wiki/Geography" title="Geography">geography</a>, and <a href="/wiki/Earth_science" title="Earth science">Earth science</a>.</dd> <dt id="ecophysiology"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Ecophysiology" title="Ecophysiology">ecophysiology</a></dfn></dt> <dd>A biological discipline that studies the <a href="#adaptation"><span title="See entry on this page at § adaptation" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">adaptation</span></a> of an organism's <a href="#physiology"><span title="See entry on this page at § physiology" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">physiology</span></a> to environmental conditions.</dd> <dt id="ecosystem"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Ecosystem" title="Ecosystem">ecosystem</a></dfn></dt> <dd>A <a href="#community"><span title="See entry on this page at § community" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">community</span></a> of living <a href="#organism"><span title="See entry on this page at § organism" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">organisms</span></a> in conjunction with the <a href="#abiotic_component"><span title="See entry on this page at § abiotic component" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">non-living components</span></a> of their physical environment, interacting as a system.</dd> <dt id="ecotype"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Ecotype" title="Ecotype">ecotype</a></dfn></dt> <p class="glossary-hatnote"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1236090951"><span role="note" class="hatnote navigation-not-searchable selfref">Sometimes called an <b>ecospecies</b>.</span></p> <dd>In evolutionary ecology, a genetically distinct geographic variety, <a href="#population"><span title="See entry on this page at § population" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">population</span></a>, or <a href="/wiki/Race_(biology)" title="Race (biology)">race</a> within a <a href="#species"><span title="See entry on this page at § species" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">species</span></a> which is adapted to specific environmental conditions.</dd> <dt id="ectoderm"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Ectoderm" title="Ectoderm">ectoderm</a></dfn></dt> <dd>The outermost layer of cells or tissue of an <a href="#embryo"><span title="See entry on this page at § embryo" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">embryo</span></a> in early development, or the parts derived from this, which include the <a href="/wiki/Epidermis" title="Epidermis">epidermis</a>, nerve tissue, and <a href="/wiki/Nephridia" class="mw-redirect" title="Nephridia">nephridia</a>.</dd> <dt id="ectotherm"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Ectotherm" title="Ectotherm">ectotherm</a></dfn></dt> <dd>An <a href="#organism"><span title="See entry on this page at § organism" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">organism</span></a> in which internal <a href="#physiology"><span title="See entry on this page at § physiology" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">physiological</span></a> sources of heat are of relatively small or quite negligible importance in controlling <a href="/wiki/Body_temperature" class="mw-redirect" title="Body temperature">body temperature</a> compared to ambient sources of heat. Ectotherms generally experience changes in body temperature that closely match changes in the temperature of their environment; colloquially, these organisms are often referred to as "cold-blooded". Contrast <i><a href="#endotherm"><span title="See entry on this page at § endotherm" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">endotherm</span></a></i>.</dd> <dt id="effector"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Effector_(biology)" title="Effector (biology)">effector</a></dfn></dt> <dd>A small molecule that selectively binds to a <a href="#protein"><span title="See entry on this page at § protein" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">protein</span></a> and regulates its <a href="/wiki/Biological_activity" title="Biological activity">biological activity</a>. In this manner, effector molecules act as <a href="/wiki/Ligand_(biochemistry)" title="Ligand (biochemistry)">ligands</a> that can increase or decrease <a href="/wiki/Allosteric_regulation" title="Allosteric regulation">enzyme activity</a>, <a href="/wiki/Gene_expression" title="Gene expression">gene expression</a>, or <a href="/wiki/Cell_signaling" title="Cell signaling">cell signaling</a>.</dd> <dt id="efferent"><dfn>efferent</dfn></dt> <dd>Conducted or conducting outwards or away from something (for nerves, the central nervous system; for blood vessels, the organ supplied). Contrast <i><a href="#afferent"><span title="See entry on this page at § afferent" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">afferent</span></a></i>.</dd> <dt id="egg"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Egg_(biology)" class="mw-redirect" title="Egg (biology)">egg</a></dfn></dt> <dd>The organic vessel containing the <a href="#zygote"><span title="See entry on this page at § zygote" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">zygote</span></a> in which an animal <a href="#embryo"><span title="See entry on this page at § embryo" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">embryo</span></a> develops until it can survive on its own, at which point the developing organism emerges from the egg in a process known as <i>hatching</i>.</dd> <dt id="electrochemical_gradient"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Electrochemical_gradient" title="Electrochemical gradient">electrochemical gradient</a></dfn></dt> <dd>A gradient of <a href="/wiki/Electrochemical_potential" title="Electrochemical potential">electrochemical potential</a>, usually for an <a href="#ion"><span title="See entry on this page at § ion" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">ion</span></a> that can move across a <a href="#membrane"><span title="See entry on this page at § membrane" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">membrane</span></a>. The gradient consists of two parts: the electrical potential and the difference in chemical concentration across the membrane.</dd> <dt id="electron_acceptor"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Electron_acceptor" title="Electron acceptor">electron acceptor</a></dfn></dt> <dd>Any chemical entity that accepts <a href="/wiki/Electron" title="Electron">electrons</a> transferred to it from another chemical entity. It is an <a href="/wiki/Oxidation" class="mw-redirect" title="Oxidation">oxidizing</a> agent that, by virtue of its accepting electrons, is itself <a href="/wiki/Reduction_(chemistry)" class="mw-redirect" title="Reduction (chemistry)">reduced</a> in the process. Contrast <i><a href="#electron_donor"><span title="See entry on this page at § electron donor" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">electron donor</span></a></i>.</dd> <dt id="electron_carrier"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Electron_carrier" class="mw-redirect" title="Electron carrier">electron carrier</a></dfn></dt> <dd>Any of various molecules that are capable of accepting one or two electrons from one molecule and donating them to another in the process of <a href="#electron_transport_chain"><span title="See entry on this page at § electron transport chain" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">electron transport</span></a>. As the electrons are transferred from one electron carrier to another, their energy level decreases, and energy is released.</dd> <dt id="electron_donor"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Electron_donor" title="Electron donor">electron donor</a></dfn></dt> <dd>A chemical entity that donates electrons to another chemical entity. It is a <a href="/wiki/Reduction_(chemistry)" class="mw-redirect" title="Reduction (chemistry)">reducing</a> agent that, by virtue of its giving up its electrons, is itself <a href="/wiki/Oxidation" class="mw-redirect" title="Oxidation">oxidized</a> in the process. Contrast <i><a href="#electron_acceptor"><span title="See entry on this page at § electron acceptor" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">electron acceptor</span></a></i>.</dd> <dt id="electron_microscope"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Electron_microscope" title="Electron microscope">electron microscope</a></dfn></dt> <dd>A type of <a href="/wiki/Microscope" title="Microscope">microscope</a> that uses a beam of <a href="/wiki/Electron" title="Electron">electrons</a> to create an image of a sample or specimen. Electron microscopes are capable of much higher magnifications and have greater resolving power than conventional light microscopes, allowing them to see much smaller objects in finer detail.</dd> <dt id="electron_transport_chain"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Electron_transport_chain" title="Electron transport chain">electron transport chain</a></dfn></dt> <dd>The process of <a href="/wiki/Oxidative_phosphorylation" title="Oxidative phosphorylation">oxidative phosphorylation</a>, by which the <a href="/wiki/NADH" class="mw-redirect" title="NADH">NADH</a> and <a href="/wiki/Succinate" class="mw-redirect" title="Succinate">succinate</a> generated by the <a href="#citric_acid_cycle"><span title="See entry on this page at § citric acid cycle" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">citric acid cycle</span></a> are <a href="/wiki/Oxidation" class="mw-redirect" title="Oxidation">oxidized</a> and <a href="/wiki/Electron" title="Electron">electrons</a> are transferred sequentially down a long series of <a href="#protein"><span title="See entry on this page at § protein" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">proteins</span></a>, ultimately to the enzyme <a href="/wiki/ATP_synthase" title="ATP synthase">ATP synthase</a>, which uses the electrical energy to catalyze the synthesis of <a href="#atp"><span title="See entry on this page at § ATP" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">ATP</span></a> by the <a href="/wiki/Phosphorylation" title="Phosphorylation">addition of a phosphate group</a> to <a href="/wiki/Adenosine_diphosphate" title="Adenosine diphosphate">ADP</a>. The process takes place in the cell's <a href="#mitochondria"><span title="See entry on this page at § mitochondria" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">mitochondria</span></a> and is the primary means of energy generation in most <a href="#eukaryotic"><span title="See entry on this page at § eukaryotic" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">eukaryotic</span></a> organisms.</dd> <dt id="embryo"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Embryo" title="Embryo">embryo</a></dfn></dt> <dd>A developing stage of a <a href="#multicellular_organism"><span title="See entry on this page at § multicellular organism" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">multicellular organism</span></a>.</dd> <dt id="embryology"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Embryology" title="Embryology">embryology</a></dfn></dt> <dd>The branch of biology that studies the development of <a href="#gamete"><span title="See entry on this page at § gamete" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">gametes</span></a> (sex cells), fertilization, and development of <a href="#embryo"><span title="See entry on this page at § embryo" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">embryos</span></a> and <a href="#fetus"><span title="See entry on this page at § fetus" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">fetuses</span></a>. Additionally, embryology involves the study of <a href="/wiki/Congenital_disorder" class="mw-redirect" title="Congenital disorder">congenital disorders</a> that occur before birth.</dd> <dt id="endangered_species"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Endangered_species" title="Endangered species">endangered species</a></dfn></dt> <dd>Any <a href="#species"><span title="See entry on this page at § species" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">species</span></a> which is very likely to become <a href="#extinction"><span title="See entry on this page at § extinction" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">extinct</span></a> in the near future, either worldwide or in a particular area. Such species may be threatened by factors such as habitat loss, hunting, disease, and climate change, and most have a declining population or a very limited range.</dd> <dt id="endemism"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Endemism" title="Endemism">endemism</a></dfn></dt> <dd>The ecological state of an organism or species being unique to a defined geographic location, such as an island, nation, country, habitat type, or other defined zone. Organisms are said to be <i>endemic</i> to a place if they are indigenous to it and found nowhere else.</dd> <dt id="endergonic_reaction"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Endergonic_reaction" title="Endergonic reaction">endergonic reaction</a></dfn></dt> <p class="glossary-hatnote"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1236090951"><span role="note" class="hatnote navigation-not-searchable selfref">Also called a <b>nonspontaneous reaction</b> or <b>unfavorable reaction</b>.</span></p> <dd>A type of <a href="/wiki/Chemical_reaction" title="Chemical reaction">chemical reaction</a> in which the standard change in <a href="/wiki/Gibbs_free_energy" title="Gibbs free energy">free energy</a> is positive, and energy is absorbed.</dd> <dt id="endocrine_gland"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Endocrine_gland" title="Endocrine gland">endocrine gland</a></dfn></dt> <dd>A <a href="/wiki/Gland" title="Gland">gland</a> of the animalian <a href="/wiki/Endocrine_system" title="Endocrine system">endocrine system</a> that secretes <a href="#hormone"><span title="See entry on this page at § hormone" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">hormones</span></a> directly into the <a href="#blood"><span title="See entry on this page at § blood" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">blood</span></a> rather than through a duct. In humans, the major glands of the endocrine system include the <a href="/wiki/Pineal_gland" title="Pineal gland">pineal gland</a>, <a href="/wiki/Pituitary_gland" title="Pituitary gland">pituitary gland</a>, <a href="/wiki/Pancreas" title="Pancreas">pancreas</a>, <a href="/wiki/Ovaries" class="mw-redirect" title="Ovaries">ovaries</a>, <a href="/wiki/Testes" class="mw-redirect" title="Testes">testes</a>, <a href="/wiki/Thyroid_gland" class="mw-redirect" title="Thyroid gland">thyroid gland</a>, <a href="/wiki/Parathyroid_gland" title="Parathyroid gland">parathyroid gland</a>, <a href="/wiki/Hypothalamus" title="Hypothalamus">hypothalamus</a>, and <a href="/wiki/Adrenal_glands" class="mw-redirect" title="Adrenal glands">adrenal glands</a>.</dd> <dt id="endocrine_system"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Endocrine_system" title="Endocrine system">endocrine system</a></dfn></dt> <dd>The collection of <a href="#endocrine_gland"><span title="See entry on this page at § endocrine gland" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">glands</span></a> that produce <a href="#hormone"><span title="See entry on this page at § hormone" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">hormones</span></a> which regulate <a href="#metabolism"><span title="See entry on this page at § metabolism" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">metabolism</span></a>, growth and development, tissue function, and a wide variety of other biological processes.</dd> <dt id="endocytosis"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Endocytosis" title="Endocytosis">endocytosis</a></dfn></dt> <dd>A form of <a href="#active_transport"><span title="See entry on this page at § active transport" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">active transport</span></a> in which a cell transports molecules such as <a href="#protein"><span title="See entry on this page at § protein" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">proteins</span></a> into the cell's interior by engulfing them in an energy-consuming process.</dd> <dt id="endoderm"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Endoderm" title="Endoderm">endoderm</a></dfn></dt> <dd>One of the three primary germ layers in the very early human <a href="#embryo"><span title="See entry on this page at § embryo" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">embryo</span></a>. The other two layers are the <a href="#ectoderm"><span title="See entry on this page at § ectoderm" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">ectoderm</span></a> (outside layer) and <a href="#mesoderm"><span title="See entry on this page at § mesoderm" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">mesoderm</span></a> (middle layer), with the endoderm being the innermost layer.</dd> <dt id="endogenous"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Endogenous" class="mw-redirect" title="Endogenous">endogenous</a></dfn></dt> <dd>(of a substance or process) Originating from within a system (such as an organism, tissue, or cell), as with <a href="/wiki/Endocannabinoid" class="mw-redirect" title="Endocannabinoid">endogenous cannabinoids</a> and <a href="#circadian_rhythm"><span title="See entry on this page at § circadian rhythm" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">circadian rhythms</span></a>. Contrast <i><a href="#exogenous"><span title="See entry on this page at § exogenous" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">exogenous</span></a></i>.</dd> <dt id="endoplasmic_reticulum"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Endoplasmic_reticulum" title="Endoplasmic reticulum">endoplasmic reticulum</a></dfn></dt> <dd>A type of <a href="#organelle"><span title="See entry on this page at § organelle" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">organelle</span></a> found in <a href="#eukaryotic"><span title="See entry on this page at § eukaryotic" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">eukaryotic</span></a> cells that forms an interconnected network of flattened, membrane-enclosed sacs or tube-like structures known as <i>cisternae</i>.</dd> <dt id="endosperm"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Endosperm" title="Endosperm">endosperm</a></dfn></dt> <dd>The tissue produced inside the <a href="/wiki/Seeds" class="mw-redirect" title="Seeds">seeds</a> of most of the flowering plants following <a href="/wiki/Fertilization" class="mw-redirect" title="Fertilization">fertilization</a>.</dd> <dt id="endosymbiotic_theory"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Endosymbiotic_theory" class="mw-redirect" title="Endosymbiotic theory">endosymbiotic theory</a></dfn></dt> <p class="glossary-hatnote"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1236090951"><span role="note" class="hatnote navigation-not-searchable selfref">Also called <b>symbiogenesis</b>.</span></p> <dd>An evolutionary theory regarding the origin of <a href="#eukaryotic"><span title="See entry on this page at § eukaryotic" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">eukaryotic</span></a> cells from a hypothetical internal <a href="#symbiosis"><span title="See entry on this page at § symbiosis" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">symbiosis</span></a> between <a href="#prokaryotic"><span title="See entry on this page at § prokaryotic" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">prokaryotic</span></a> organisms, first articulated in 1905 and 1910 by the Russian botanist <a href="/wiki/Konstantin_Mereschkowski" title="Konstantin Mereschkowski">Konstantin Mereschkowski</a>, and advanced and substantiated with microbiological evidence by <a href="/wiki/Lynn_Margulis" title="Lynn Margulis">Lynn Margulis</a> in 1967.</dd> <dt id="endotherm"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Endotherm" title="Endotherm">endotherm</a></dfn></dt> <dd>An organism that is capable of maintaining a consistent, <a href="/wiki/Metabolically" class="mw-redirect" title="Metabolically">metabolically</a> favorable <a href="/wiki/Body_temperature" class="mw-redirect" title="Body temperature">body temperature</a>, largely by the recycling of heat released by its internal <a href="#physiology"><span title="See entry on this page at § physiology" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">physiological</span></a> functions, instead of by relying on ambient sources of heat. Endotherms are generally able to maintain a stable body temperature despite changes in the temperature of their environment; colloquially, these organisms are often referred to as "warm-blooded". Contrast <i><a href="#ectotherm"><span title="See entry on this page at § ectotherm" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">ectotherm</span></a></i>.</dd> <dt id="entomology"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Entomology" title="Entomology">entomology</a></dfn></dt> <dd>The scientific study of <a href="/wiki/Insect" title="Insect">insects</a>.</dd> <dt id="environmental_biology"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Environmental_biology" class="mw-redirect" title="Environmental biology">environmental biology</a></dfn></dt> <dd>The branch of biology concerned with the relations between organisms and their environments.</dd> <dt id="enzyme"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Enzyme" title="Enzyme">enzyme</a></dfn></dt> <dd>A <a href="#protein"><span title="See entry on this page at § protein" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">protein</span></a> that acts as a biological <a href="/wiki/Catalyst" class="mw-redirect" title="Catalyst">catalyst</a> by accelerating chemical reactions. <a href="#metabolism"><span title="See entry on this page at § metabolism" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">Metabolic</span></a> pathways depend upon enzymes to catalyze their individual steps, and almost all metabolic processes require <a href="/wiki/Enzyme_catalysis" title="Enzyme catalysis">enzyme catalysis</a> in order to occur at rates fast enough to sustain life.</dd> <dt id="epidemiology"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Epidemiology" title="Epidemiology">epidemiology</a></dfn></dt> <dd>The study and analysis of the patterns, causes, and effects of health and <a href="#disease"><span title="See entry on this page at § disease" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">disease</span></a> conditions in defined <a href="#population"><span title="See entry on this page at § population" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">populations</span></a>. It is the cornerstone of public health, and shapes policy decisions and evidence-based practice by identifying risk factors for disease and targets for preventive healthcare.</dd> <dt id="epigenetics"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Epigenetics" title="Epigenetics">epigenetics</a></dfn></dt> <dd>A sub-field of <a href="#genetics"><span title="See entry on this page at § genetics" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">genetics</span></a> that studies cellular and physiological phenotypic trait variations caused by external or environmental factors which affect how cells <a href="/wiki/Gene_expression" title="Gene expression">express</a> <a href="#gene"><span title="See entry on this page at § gene" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">genes</span></a>, as opposed to those caused by changes in the <a href="#dna"><span title="See entry on this page at § DNA" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">DNA</span></a> sequence.</dd> <dt id="epiphyte"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Epiphyte" title="Epiphyte">epiphyte</a></dfn></dt> <dd>An organism that grows on the surface of a <a href="#plant"><span title="See entry on this page at § plant" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">plant</span></a> and derives moisture and <a href="#nutrient"><span title="See entry on this page at § nutrient" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">nutrients</span></a> from the air, rain, marine environments, or from debris accumulating around it.</dd> <dt id="essential_nutrient"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Essential_nutrient" class="mw-redirect" title="Essential nutrient">essential nutrient</a></dfn></dt> <dd>A <a href="#nutrient"><span title="See entry on this page at § nutrient" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">nutrient</span></a> required for normal <a href="#physiology"><span title="See entry on this page at § physiology" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">physiological</span></a> function which cannot be synthesized by a particular organism, either at all or in sufficient quantities, and which therefore must be obtained from external sources such as food. In humans, a set of nine <a href="#amino_acid"><span title="See entry on this page at § amino acid" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">amino acids</span></a>, two <a href="/wiki/Fatty_acid" title="Fatty acid">fatty acids</a>, thirteen <a href="#vitamin"><span title="See entry on this page at § vitamin" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">vitamins</span></a>, and fifteen <a href="#mineral"><span title="See entry on this page at § mineral" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">minerals</span></a> are considered essential nutrients.</dd> <dt id="estrogen"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Estrogen" title="Estrogen">estrogen</a></dfn></dt> <dd>The primary female sex <a href="#hormone"><span title="See entry on this page at § hormone" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">hormone</span></a>.</dd> <dt id="ethology"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Ethology" title="Ethology">ethology</a></dfn></dt> <dd>The scientific study of non-human animal behaviour (i.e. excluding human behaviour) and usually with a focus on behaviour under natural conditions, and viewing behaviour as an evolutionarily adaptive trait.</dd> <dt id="eukaryote"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Eukaryote" title="Eukaryote">eukaryote</a></dfn></dt><span class="anchor" id="eukaryotic"></span> <dd>A type of organism consisting of cells which have a <a href="#nucleus"><span title="See entry on this page at § nucleus" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">nucleus</span></a> enclosed within a distinct <a href="/wiki/Nuclear_membrane" class="mw-redirect" title="Nuclear membrane">nuclear membrane</a>, unlike <a href="#prokaryote"><span title="See entry on this page at § prokaryote" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">prokaryotes</span></a>. Eukaryotes include all organisms except the bacteria and archaea (i.e. all plants, animals, fungi, and protists are eukaryotes).</dd> <dt id="evolution"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Evolution" title="Evolution">evolution</a></dfn></dt> <dd>The change in the <a href="#heredity"><span title="See entry on this page at § heredity" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">heritable</span></a> characteristics of <a href="#population"><span title="See entry on this page at § population" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">populations</span></a> of biological organisms over successive <a href="#generation"><span title="See entry on this page at § generation" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">generations</span></a>, which may occur by <a href="/wiki/Mutation" title="Mutation">mutation</a>, <a href="/wiki/Gene_flow" title="Gene flow">gene flow</a>, <a href="#natural_selection"><span title="See entry on this page at § natural selection" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">natural selection</span></a>, or <a href="/wiki/Genetic_drift" title="Genetic drift">random chance</a>.</dd> <dt id="evolutionary_biology"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Evolutionary_biology" title="Evolutionary biology">evolutionary biology</a></dfn></dt> <dd>The subfield of biology that studies <a href="#evolution"><span title="See entry on this page at § evolution" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">evolution</span></a> and the evolutionary processes that produced the diversity of life on Earth from a hypothesized single <a href="/wiki/Common_ancestor" class="mw-redirect" title="Common ancestor">common ancestor</a>. These processes include the descent of <a href="#species"><span title="See entry on this page at § species" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">species</span></a> and the origin of new species.</dd> <dt id="exocytosis"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Exocytosis" title="Exocytosis">exocytosis</a></dfn></dt> <dd>A form of active transport and bulk transport in which a cell transports molecules out of the cell by expelling them through an energy-dependent process.</dd> <dt id="exogenous"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Exogenous" class="mw-redirect" title="Exogenous">exogenous</a></dfn></dt> <dd>(of a substance or process) Originating outside of or external to a system (such as an organism, tissue, or cell), as with <a href="#drug"><span title="See entry on this page at § drug" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">drugs</span></a> and many <a href="#pathogen"><span title="See entry on this page at § pathogen" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">pathogens</span></a>. Contrast <i><a href="#endogenous"><span title="See entry on this page at § endogenous" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">endogenous</span></a></i>.</dd> <dt id="exponential_growth"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Exponential_growth" title="Exponential growth">exponential growth</a></dfn></dt> <dd>It is exhibited when the rate of change of the value of a mathematical function is proportional to the function's current value, resulting in its value at any time being an exponential function of time.</dd> <dt id="external_fertilization"><dfn><a href="/wiki/External_fertilization" title="External fertilization">external fertilization</a></dfn></dt> <dd>A type of <a href="#fertilization"><span title="See entry on this page at § fertilization" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">fertilization</span></a> in which a <a href="#sperm"><span title="See entry on this page at § sperm" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">sperm</span></a> unites with an <a href="#egg"><span title="See entry on this page at § egg" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">egg</span></a> external to the body or bodies of the parent organisms. Contrast <i><a href="#internal_fertilization"><span title="See entry on this page at § internal fertilization" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">internal fertilization</span></a></i>.</dd> <dt id="extinction"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Extinction" title="Extinction">extinction</a></dfn></dt> <dd>The termination of the existence of a particular kind of <a href="#organism"><span title="See entry on this page at § organism" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">organism</span></a> or a particular <a href="#taxon"><span title="See entry on this page at § taxon" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">taxon</span></a>, often a <a href="#species"><span title="See entry on this page at § species" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">species</span></a>, as a result of the death of the last individual of the taxon (though the capacity to breed and recover may have been lost before this point, rendering the taxon <a href="/wiki/Functional_extinction" title="Functional extinction">functionally extinct</a>).</dd> <dt id="extracellular"><dfn>extracellular</dfn></dt> <dd>Of or occurring in the space outside the <a href="#cell_membrane"><span title="See entry on this page at § cell membrane" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">plasma membrane</span></a> of a <a href="#cell"><span title="See entry on this page at § cell" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">cell</span></a>. Contrast <i><a href="#intracellular"><span title="See entry on this page at § intracellular" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">intracellular</span></a></i>.</dd> <dt id="extranuclear_inheritance"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Extranuclear_inheritance" title="Extranuclear inheritance">extranuclear inheritance</a></dfn></dt> <dd>A transmission of <a href="#gene"><span title="See entry on this page at § gene" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">genes</span></a> that takes place outside the <a href="#nucleus"><span title="See entry on this page at § nucleus" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">nucleus</span></a>.</dd> </dl> <div class="noprint" style="text-align:center;"><div role="navigation" id="toc" class="toc plainlinks" aria-labelledby="tocheading" style="margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto; text-align:left;"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1129693374"><div class="hlist"> <div id="toctitle" class="toctitle" style="text-align:center;display:inline-block;"><span id="tocheading" style="font-weight:bold;">Contents: </span></div> <div style="margin:auto; display:inline-block;"> <ul><li><a href="#0–9">0–9</a></li> <li><a href="#A">A</a></li> <li><a href="#B">B</a></li> <li><a href="#C">C</a></li> <li><a href="#D">D</a></li> <li><a href="#E">E</a></li> <li><a href="#F">F</a></li> <li><a href="#G">G</a></li> <li><a href="#H">H</a></li> <li><a href="#I">I</a></li> <li><a href="#J">J</a></li> <li><a href="#K">K</a></li> <li><a href="#L">L</a></li> <li><a href="#M">M</a></li> <li><a href="#N">N</a></li> <li><a href="#O">O</a></li> <li><a href="#P">P</a></li> <li><a href="#Q">Q</a></li> <li><a href="#R">R</a></li> <li><a href="#S">S</a></li> <li><a href="#T">T</a></li> <li><a href="#U">U</a></li> <li><a href="#V">V</a></li> <li><a href="#W">W</a></li> <li><a href="#X">X</a></li> <li><a href="#Y">Y</a></li> <li><a href="#Z">Z</a></li> <li><a href="#See_also">See also</a></li> <li><a href="#References">References</a></li> <li><a href="#External_links">External links</a></li></ul> </div></div></div></div> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="F">F</h2><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Glossary_of_biology&action=edit&section=6" title="Edit section: F"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1228772891"> <dl class="glossary"> <dt id="facultative_anaerobe"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Facultative_anaerobic_organism" title="Facultative anaerobic organism">facultative anaerobe</a></dfn></dt> <dd>An organism which is capable of producing <a href="/wiki/Energy" title="Energy">energy</a> through <a href="/wiki/Aerobic_respiration" class="mw-redirect" title="Aerobic respiration">aerobic respiration</a> and then switching to <a href="/wiki/Anaerobic_respiration" title="Anaerobic respiration">anaerobic respiration</a> depending on the amounts of oxygen and fermentable material in the environment.</dd> <dt id="family"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Family_(biology)" title="Family (biology)">family</a></dfn></dt> <dd></dd> <dt id="fermentation"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Fermentation" title="Fermentation">fermentation</a></dfn></dt> <dd>A <a href="#metabolism"><span title="See entry on this page at § metabolism" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">metabolic</span></a> process that consumes <a href="/wiki/Sugar" title="Sugar">sugar</a> in the absence of <a href="/wiki/Oxygen" title="Oxygen">oxygen</a>.</dd> <dt id="fitness"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Fitness_(biology)" title="Fitness (biology)">fitness</a></dfn></dt> <dd></dd> <dt id="fitness_landscape"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Fitness_landscape" title="Fitness landscape">fitness landscape</a></dfn></dt> <dd></dd> <dt id="fertilization"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Fertilization" class="mw-redirect" title="Fertilization">fertilization</a></dfn></dt><span class="anchor" id="fertilisation"></span> <dd></dd> <dt id="fetus"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Fetus" title="Fetus">fetus</a></dfn></dt> <p class="glossary-hatnote"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1236090951"><span role="note" class="hatnote navigation-not-searchable selfref">Also spelled <b>foetus</b>.</span></p> <dd>An animal <a href="#embryo"><span title="See entry on this page at § embryo" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">embryo</span></a> after eight weeks of development.</dd> <dt id="flagellum"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Flagellum" title="Flagellum">flagellum</a></dfn></dt> <p class="glossary-hatnote"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1236090951"><span role="note" class="hatnote navigation-not-searchable selfref"><i>(pl.)</i> <b>flagella</b></span></p> <dd>A lash-like appendage that protrudes from the <a href="#cell"><span title="See entry on this page at § cell" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">cell</span></a> body of certain <a href="#bacteria"><span title="See entry on this page at § bacteria" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">bacterial</span></a> and <a href="#eukaryotic"><span title="See entry on this page at § eukaryotic" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">eukaryotic</span></a> cells.</dd> <span id="fAD"></span><dt id="flavin_adenine_dinucleotide_(fad)"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Flavin_adenine_dinucleotide" title="Flavin adenine dinucleotide">flavin adenine dinucleotide</a> (FAD)</dfn></dt> <dd>A <a href="/wiki/Redox_cofactor" class="mw-redirect" title="Redox cofactor">redox cofactor</a>, more specifically a prosthetic group of a protein, involved in different important enzymatic reactions in <a href="#metabolism"><span title="See entry on this page at § metabolism" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">metabolism</span></a>.</dd> <dt id="food_chain"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Food_chain" title="Food chain">food chain</a></dfn></dt> <dd>The chain of eating and getting nutrition which starts from a small herbivores animal and ends up at a big carnivorous organism.</dd> <dt id="foramen"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Foramen" title="Foramen">foramen</a></dfn></dt> <p class="glossary-hatnote"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1236090951"><span role="note" class="hatnote navigation-not-searchable selfref"><i>(pl.)</i> <b>foramimina</b></span></p> <dd>An open hole that is present in extant or extinct amniotes. Foramina inside the body of animals typically allow muscles, nerves, arteries, veins, or other structures to connect one part of the body with another.</dd> <dt id="founder_effect"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Founder_effect" title="Founder effect">founder effect</a></dfn></dt> <dd>A loss of genetic variation that takes places when a new <a href="/wiki/Population" title="Population">population</a> is established by a very small number of individuals from a larger population.</dd> <dt id="fungi"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Fungi" class="mw-redirect" title="Fungi">fungi</a></dfn></dt> <dd></dd> </dl> <div class="noprint" style="text-align:center;"><div role="navigation" id="toc" class="toc plainlinks" aria-labelledby="tocheading" style="margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto; text-align:left;"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1129693374"><div class="hlist"> <div id="toctitle" class="toctitle" style="text-align:center;display:inline-block;"><span id="tocheading" style="font-weight:bold;">Contents: </span></div> <div style="margin:auto; display:inline-block;"> <ul><li><a href="#0–9">0–9</a></li> <li><a href="#A">A</a></li> <li><a href="#B">B</a></li> <li><a href="#C">C</a></li> <li><a href="#D">D</a></li> <li><a href="#E">E</a></li> <li><a href="#F">F</a></li> <li><a href="#G">G</a></li> <li><a href="#H">H</a></li> <li><a href="#I">I</a></li> <li><a href="#J">J</a></li> <li><a href="#K">K</a></li> <li><a href="#L">L</a></li> <li><a href="#M">M</a></li> <li><a href="#N">N</a></li> <li><a href="#O">O</a></li> <li><a href="#P">P</a></li> <li><a href="#Q">Q</a></li> <li><a href="#R">R</a></li> <li><a href="#S">S</a></li> <li><a href="#T">T</a></li> <li><a href="#U">U</a></li> <li><a href="#V">V</a></li> <li><a href="#W">W</a></li> <li><a href="#X">X</a></li> <li><a href="#Y">Y</a></li> <li><a href="#Z">Z</a></li> <li><a href="#See_also">See also</a></li> <li><a href="#References">References</a></li> <li><a href="#External_links">External links</a></li></ul> </div></div></div></div> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="G">G</h2><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Glossary_of_biology&action=edit&section=7" title="Edit section: G"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1228772891"> <dl class="glossary"> <dt id="g_protein"><dfn><a href="/wiki/G_protein" title="G protein">G protein</a></dfn></dt> <dd>A family of <a href="#protein"><span title="See entry on this page at § protein" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">proteins</span></a> that act as molecular switches inside <a href="#cell"><span title="See entry on this page at § cell" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">cells</span></a>, and are implicated in transmitting signals from a diversity of stimuli outside a cell to its interior.</dd> <dt id="gamete"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Gamete" title="Gamete">gamete</a></dfn></dt> <dd></dd> <dt id="gene"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Gene" title="Gene">gene</a></dfn></dt> <dd>Any segment of <a href="#dna"><span title="See entry on this page at § DNA" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">DNA</span></a> that contains the information necessary to produce a functional <a href="#rna"><span title="See entry on this page at § RNA" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">RNA</span></a> and/or <a href="#protein"><span title="See entry on this page at § protein" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">protein</span></a> product in a controlled manner. Genes are often considered the fundamental molecular units of <a href="#heredity"><span title="See entry on this page at § heredity" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">heredity</span></a>. The transmission of genes from a parent cell or organism to its <a href="#offspring"><span title="See entry on this page at § offspring" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">offspring</span></a> is the basis of the inheritance of <a href="#trait"><span title="See entry on this page at § trait" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">phenotypic traits</span></a>.</dd> <dt id="gene_pool"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Gene_pool" title="Gene pool">gene pool</a></dfn></dt> <dd>A set of all <a href="/wiki/Genes" class="mw-redirect" title="Genes">genes</a>, or genetic information, in any population, usually of a particular <a href="#species"><span title="See entry on this page at § species" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">species</span></a>.</dd> <dt id="generation"><dfn>generation</dfn></dt> <dd></dd> <dt id="genetic_code"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Genetic_code" title="Genetic code">genetic code</a></dfn></dt> <dd>A set of rules used by living <a href="#cell"><span title="See entry on this page at § cell" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">cells</span></a> to translate information encoded within <a href="/wiki/Genetic_material" class="mw-redirect" title="Genetic material">genetic material</a> (DNA or mRNA sequences) into proteins.</dd> <dt id="genetic_drift"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Genetic_drift" title="Genetic drift">genetic drift</a></dfn></dt> <dd>An alteration in the frequency of an existing <a href="/wiki/Gene" title="Gene">gene</a> variant in a population due to random sampling of <a href="/wiki/Organisms" class="mw-redirect" title="Organisms">organisms</a>.</dd> <dt id="genetic_variation"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Genetic_variation" title="Genetic variation">genetic variation</a></dfn></dt> <dd>Variations of <a href="/wiki/Genome" title="Genome">genomes</a> between members of species, or between groups of species thriving in different parts of the world as a result of <a href="/wiki/Genetic_mutation" class="mw-redirect" title="Genetic mutation">genetic mutation</a>. Genetic diversity in a population or species is a result of new gene combinations (e.g. <a href="/wiki/Chromosomal_crossover" title="Chromosomal crossover">crossing over of chromosomes</a>), genetic mutations, <a href="/wiki/Genetic_drift" title="Genetic drift">genetic drift</a>, etc.</dd> <dt id="genetics"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Genetics" title="Genetics">genetics</a></dfn></dt> <dd>The study of heredity.</dd> <dt id="genome"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Genome" title="Genome">genome</a></dfn></dt> <dd>The entire set of genetic material contained within the <a href="#chromosome"><span title="See entry on this page at § chromosome" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">chromosomes</span></a> of an organism, <a href="#organelle"><span title="See entry on this page at § organelle" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">organelle</span></a>, or <a href="#virus"><span title="See entry on this page at § virus" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">virus</span></a>.</dd> <dt id="genotype"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Genotype" title="Genotype">genotype</a></dfn></dt> <dd>Part of the genetic makeup of a <a href="#cell"><span title="See entry on this page at § cell" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">cell</span></a>, and therefore of an organism or individual, which determines one of its characteristics (phenotype).</dd> <dt id="genus"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Genus" title="Genus">genus</a></dfn></dt> <dd></dd> <dt id="gizzard"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Gizzard" title="Gizzard">gizzard</a></dfn></dt> <dd>An organ found in the <a href="/wiki/Digestive_tract" class="mw-redirect" title="Digestive tract">digestive tract</a> of some animals, including <a href="/wiki/Archosaurs" class="mw-redirect" title="Archosaurs">archosaurs</a> (pterosaurs, crocodiles, alligators, and dinosaurs, including birds), earthworms, some <a href="/wiki/Gastropods" class="mw-redirect" title="Gastropods">gastropods</a>, some <a href="/wiki/Fish" title="Fish">fish</a>, and some <a href="/wiki/Crustaceans" class="mw-redirect" title="Crustaceans">crustaceans</a>.</dd> <dt id="guanine"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Guanine" title="Guanine">guanine</a></dfn></dt> <dd>One of the four main <a href="/wiki/Nucleobases" class="mw-redirect" title="Nucleobases">nucleobases</a> found in the nucleic acids <a href="#dna"><span title="See entry on this page at § DNA" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">DNA</span></a> and <a href="#rna"><span title="See entry on this page at § RNA" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">RNA</span></a>, the others being <a href="/wiki/Adenine" title="Adenine">adenine</a>, <a href="/wiki/Cytosine" title="Cytosine">cytosine</a>, and <a href="/wiki/Thymine" title="Thymine">thymine</a> (uracil in RNA).</dd> </dl> <div class="noprint" style="text-align:center;"><div role="navigation" id="toc" class="toc plainlinks" aria-labelledby="tocheading" style="margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto; text-align:left;"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1129693374"><div class="hlist"> <div id="toctitle" class="toctitle" style="text-align:center;display:inline-block;"><span id="tocheading" style="font-weight:bold;">Contents: </span></div> <div style="margin:auto; display:inline-block;"> <ul><li><a href="#0–9">0–9</a></li> <li><a href="#A">A</a></li> <li><a href="#B">B</a></li> <li><a href="#C">C</a></li> <li><a href="#D">D</a></li> <li><a href="#E">E</a></li> <li><a href="#F">F</a></li> <li><a href="#G">G</a></li> <li><a href="#H">H</a></li> <li><a href="#I">I</a></li> <li><a href="#J">J</a></li> <li><a href="#K">K</a></li> <li><a href="#L">L</a></li> <li><a href="#M">M</a></li> <li><a href="#N">N</a></li> <li><a href="#O">O</a></li> <li><a href="#P">P</a></li> <li><a href="#Q">Q</a></li> <li><a href="#R">R</a></li> <li><a href="#S">S</a></li> <li><a href="#T">T</a></li> <li><a href="#U">U</a></li> <li><a href="#V">V</a></li> <li><a href="#W">W</a></li> <li><a href="#X">X</a></li> <li><a href="#Y">Y</a></li> <li><a href="#Z">Z</a></li> <li><a href="#See_also">See also</a></li> <li><a href="#References">References</a></li> <li><a href="#External_links">External links</a></li></ul> </div></div></div></div> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="H">H</h2><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Glossary_of_biology&action=edit&section=8" title="Edit section: H"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1228772891"> <dl class="glossary"> <dt id="habitat"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Habitat" title="Habitat">habitat</a></dfn></dt> <dd>A place for animals, people, and plants and non-living things.</dd> <dt id="habituation"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Habituation" title="Habituation">habituation</a></dfn></dt> <dd>A form of learning in which an <a href="/wiki/Organism" title="Organism">organism</a> decreases or desists its responses to a stimulus after repeated or prolonged presentations.</dd> <dt id="heredity"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Heredity" title="Heredity">heredity</a></dfn></dt> <dd>The passing on of <a href="#phenotype"><span title="See entry on this page at § phenotype" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">phenotypic</span></a> <a href="#trait"><span title="See entry on this page at § trait" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">traits</span></a> from parents to their <a href="#offspring"><span title="See entry on this page at § offspring" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">offspring</span></a>, either through <a href="#sexual_reproduction"><span title="See entry on this page at § sexual reproduction" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">sexual</span></a> or <a href="#asexual_reproduction"><span title="See entry on this page at § asexual reproduction" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">asexual reproduction</span></a>. Offspring cells and organisms are said to <i>inherit</i> the genetic information of their parents.</dd> <dt id="hermaphrodite"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Hermaphrodite" title="Hermaphrodite">hermaphrodite</a></dfn></dt> <dd>A sexually reproducing organism with both male and female <a href="/wiki/Reproductive_organ" class="mw-redirect" title="Reproductive organ">reproductive organs</a>.</dd> <dt id="herpetology"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Herpetology" title="Herpetology">herpetology</a></dfn></dt> <dd>The branch of <a href="#zoology"><span title="See entry on this page at § zoology" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">zoology</span></a> that studies <a href="/wiki/Reptile" title="Reptile">reptiles</a> and <a href="/wiki/Amphibian" title="Amphibian">amphibians</a>.</dd> <dt id="heterosis"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Heterosis" title="Heterosis">heterosis</a></dfn></dt> <dd>The improved or increased function of any biological quality in a <a href="#hybrid"><span title="See entry on this page at § hybrid" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">hybrid</span></a> <a href="#offspring"><span title="See entry on this page at § offspring" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">offspring</span></a>.</dd> <dt id="heterotroph"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Heterotroph" title="Heterotroph">heterotroph</a></dfn></dt> <dd></dd> <dt id="histology"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Histology" title="Histology">histology</a></dfn></dt> <dd>The study of the microscopic anatomy of cells and tissues of plants and animals.</dd> <dt id="hodgkin–huxley_model"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Hodgkin%E2%80%93Huxley_model" title="Hodgkin–Huxley model">Hodgkin–Huxley model</a></dfn></dt> <dd>A mathematical model that describes how action potentials in neurons are initiated and propagated.</dd> <dt id="hormone"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Hormone" title="Hormone">hormone</a></dfn></dt> <dd>Any member of a class of signaling molecules produced by <a href="/wiki/Glands" class="mw-redirect" title="Glands">glands</a> in <a href="#multicellular"><span title="See entry on this page at § multicellular" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">multicellular</span></a> organisms that are transported by the circulatory system to target distant organs to regulate physiology and behaviour.</dd> <dt id="host"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Host_(biology)" title="Host (biology)">host</a></dfn></dt> <dd>Any living organism that harbors another living organism (known as a "guest" or <a href="#symbiont"><span title="See entry on this page at § symbiont" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">symbiont</span></a>), whether the guest is <a href="#parasite"><span title="See entry on this page at § parasite" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">parasitic</span></a>, <a href="/wiki/Mutualism_(biology)" title="Mutualism (biology)">mutualistic</a>, or <a href="/wiki/Commensalism" title="Commensalism">commensalist</a> in its interactions with the host. The guest typically receives shelter and nourishment from the host.</dd> <dt id="hybrid"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Hybrid_(biology)" title="Hybrid (biology)">hybrid</a></dfn></dt> <dd></dd> <dt id="hydrocarbon"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Hydrocarbon" title="Hydrocarbon">hydrocarbon</a></dfn></dt> <dd>An organic compound consisting entirely of hydrogen and carbon atoms. Hydrocarbons from which one hydrogen atom has been removed are functional groups called hydrocarbyls.</dd> </dl> <div class="noprint" style="text-align:center;"><div role="navigation" id="toc" class="toc plainlinks" aria-labelledby="tocheading" style="margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto; text-align:left;"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1129693374"><div class="hlist"> <div id="toctitle" class="toctitle" style="text-align:center;display:inline-block;"><span id="tocheading" style="font-weight:bold;">Contents: </span></div> <div style="margin:auto; display:inline-block;"> <ul><li><a href="#0–9">0–9</a></li> <li><a href="#A">A</a></li> <li><a href="#B">B</a></li> <li><a href="#C">C</a></li> <li><a href="#D">D</a></li> <li><a href="#E">E</a></li> <li><a href="#F">F</a></li> <li><a href="#G">G</a></li> <li><a href="#H">H</a></li> <li><a href="#I">I</a></li> <li><a href="#J">J</a></li> <li><a href="#K">K</a></li> <li><a href="#L">L</a></li> <li><a href="#M">M</a></li> <li><a href="#N">N</a></li> <li><a href="#O">O</a></li> <li><a href="#P">P</a></li> <li><a href="#Q">Q</a></li> <li><a href="#R">R</a></li> <li><a href="#S">S</a></li> <li><a href="#T">T</a></li> <li><a href="#U">U</a></li> <li><a href="#V">V</a></li> <li><a href="#W">W</a></li> <li><a href="#X">X</a></li> <li><a href="#Y">Y</a></li> <li><a href="#Z">Z</a></li> <li><a href="#See_also">See also</a></li> <li><a href="#References">References</a></li> <li><a href="#External_links">External links</a></li></ul> </div></div></div></div> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="I">I</h2><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Glossary_of_biology&action=edit&section=9" title="Edit section: I"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1228772891"> <dl class="glossary"> <dt id="ichthyology"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Ichthyology" title="Ichthyology">ichthyology</a></dfn></dt> <dd>The branch of biology devoted to the study of <a href="/wiki/Fish" title="Fish">fish</a>, including bony fishes (<a href="/wiki/Osteichthyes" title="Osteichthyes">Osteichthyes</a>), cartilaginous fish (<a href="/wiki/Chondrichthyes" title="Chondrichthyes">Chondrichthyes</a>), and jawless fish (<a href="/wiki/Agnatha" title="Agnatha">Agnatha</a>).</dd> <dt id="immune_response"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Immune_response" title="Immune response">immune response</a></dfn></dt> <dd>The immune response is how your body recognizes and defends itself against bacteria, viruses, and substances that appear foreign and harmful.</dd> <dt id="immunity"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Immunity_(medical)" class="mw-redirect" title="Immunity (medical)">immunity</a></dfn></dt> <dd></dd> <dt id="immunoglobulin"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Immunoglobulin" class="mw-redirect" title="Immunoglobulin">immunoglobulin</a></dfn></dt> <dd>Any of a class of <a href="/wiki/Glycoprotein" title="Glycoprotein">glycoprotein</a> molecules produced by plasma cells (white blood cells) which act as a critical part of the immune response by specifically recognizing and binding to particular <a href="/wiki/Antigen" title="Antigen">antigens</a>, such as bacteria or viruses, and aiding in their destruction. They are a major component of the group of immune defense molecules collectively called <a href="/wiki/Antibodies" class="mw-redirect" title="Antibodies">antibodies</a>.</dd> <dt id="infection"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Infection" title="Infection">infection</a></dfn></dt> <dd>The invasion of an organism's cells or tissues by a <a href="#disease"><span title="See entry on this page at § disease" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">disease</span></a>-causing <a href="#pathogen"><span title="See entry on this page at § pathogen" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">pathogen</span></a>, its growth and/or multiplication, and the reaction of the <a href="#host"><span title="See entry on this page at § host" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">host</span></a> organism to the infectious agent and the <a href="#toxin"><span title="See entry on this page at § toxin" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">toxins</span></a> it produces. The variety of biological pathogens capable of causing infections includes certain <a href="#bacteria"><span title="See entry on this page at § bacteria" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">bacteria</span></a>, <a href="#virus"><span title="See entry on this page at § virus" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">viruses</span></a>, <a href="#fungi"><span title="See entry on this page at § fungi" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">fungi</span></a>, <a href="#protist"><span title="See entry on this page at § protist" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">protists</span></a>, <a href="/wiki/Parasitic_worms" class="mw-redirect" title="Parasitic worms">parasitic worms</a>, and <a href="/wiki/Arthropod" title="Arthropod">arthropods</a>.</dd> <dt id="insulin"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Insulin" title="Insulin">insulin</a></dfn></dt> <dd>An anabolic peptide hormone produced in the <a href="/wiki/Pancreas" title="Pancreas">pancreas</a> which helps to regulate the <a href="#metabolism"><span title="See entry on this page at § metabolism" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">metabolism</span></a> of carbohydrates, fats, and protein by promoting the absorption of <a href="/wiki/Glucose" title="Glucose">glucose</a> from the blood into liver, fat, and skeletal muscle cells. Abnormal insulin activity is the cause of <a href="/wiki/Diabetes_mellitus" class="mw-redirect" title="Diabetes mellitus">diabetes mellitus</a>.</dd> <dt id="integrative_biology"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Integrative_biology" class="mw-redirect" title="Integrative biology">integrative biology</a></dfn></dt> <dd>The various forms of cross-disciplinary and multitaxon research.</dd> <dt id="interferon"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Interferon" title="Interferon">interferon</a></dfn></dt> <dd>A group of signaling proteins made and released by host cells in response to the presence of several pathogens, such as viruses, bacteria, parasites, or tumor cells. In a typical scenario, a virus-infected cell will release interferons causing nearby cells to heighten their antiviral defenses.</dd> <dt id="internal_fertilization"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Internal_fertilization" title="Internal fertilization">internal fertilization</a></dfn></dt> <dd>A type of <a href="#fertilization"><span title="See entry on this page at § fertilization" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">fertilization</span></a> which takes place inside the <a href="#egg"><span title="See entry on this page at § egg" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">egg</span></a>-producing individual.</dd> <dt id="international_system_of_units"><dfn><a href="/wiki/International_System_of_Units" title="International System of Units">International System of Units</a></dfn></dt> <dd>(French: <i>Système international d'unités</i>; abbreviated SI) The modern standardized form of the metric system of units and measurements, and the system of measurement formally adopted for use in the physical and natural sciences.</dd> <dt id="interphase"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Interphase" title="Interphase">interphase</a></dfn></dt> <dd></dd> <dt id="intracellular"><dfn>intracellular</dfn></dt> <dd>Of or occurring inside or within the enclosed interior of a <a href="#cell"><span title="See entry on this page at § cell" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">cell</span></a>. Contrast <i><a href="#extracellular"><span title="See entry on this page at § extracellular" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">extracellular</span></a></i>.</dd> <dt id="introduced_species"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Introduced_species" title="Introduced species">introduced species</a></dfn></dt> <p class="glossary-hatnote"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1236090951"><span role="note" class="hatnote navigation-not-searchable selfref">Also called an <b>exotic species</b>, <b>foreign species</b>, <b>alien species</b>, <b>non-native species</b>, or <b>non-indigenous species</b>.</span></p> <dd>Any <a href="#species"><span title="See entry on this page at § species" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">species</span></a> living outside its <a href="#indigenous"><span title="See entry on this page at § indigenous" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">native</span></a> geographic <a href="#range"><span title="See entry on this page at § range" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">range</span></a>, and which has arrived there either by accidental or deliberate human activity. Such human-caused introduction of species to foreign environments is distinguished from biological <a href="#colonization"><span title="See entry on this page at § colonization" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">colonization</span></a>, by which species spread to new areas through "natural" means (i.e. without the involvement of humans).</dd> <dt id="invertebrate"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Invertebrate" title="Invertebrate">invertebrate</a></dfn></dt> <dd>A group of <a href="#animal"><span title="See entry on this page at § animal" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">animals</span></a> that have no backbone, unlike animals such as reptiles, amphibians, fish, birds, and mammals, which all have a backbone. Among the many extant invertebrate <a href="#phylum"><span title="See entry on this page at § phylum" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">phyla</span></a> are the <a href="/wiki/Cnidaria" title="Cnidaria">Cnidaria</a>, <a href="/wiki/Mollusca" title="Mollusca">Mollusca</a>, <a href="/wiki/Annelida" class="mw-redirect" title="Annelida">Annelida</a>, <a href="/wiki/Nematoda" class="mw-redirect" title="Nematoda">Nematoda</a>, and <a href="/wiki/Arthropoda" class="mw-redirect" title="Arthropoda">Arthropoda</a>.</dd> <dt id="ion"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Ion" title="Ion">ion</a></dfn></dt> <dd>An atom or molecule with a net electric charge due to the loss or gain of one or more electrons.</dd> <dt id="ionic_bond"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Ionic_bond" class="mw-redirect" title="Ionic bond">ionic bond</a></dfn></dt> <dd>A type of chemical bond involving the complete transfer of valence electron(s) between two atoms. Such bonds typically occur between elements characterized as metals and nonmetals, and generate two oppositely charged ions: the metal loses electrons to become a positively charged <a href="/wiki/Cation" class="mw-redirect" title="Cation">cation</a>, and the nonmetal accepts those electrons to become a negatively charged <a href="/wiki/Anion" class="mw-redirect" title="Anion">anion</a>.</dd> <dt id="isomer"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Isomer" title="Isomer">isomer</a></dfn></dt> <dd>A molecule with the same chemical formula as another molecule, but with a different chemical structure. That is, isomers contain the same number of atoms of each element, but have different arrangements of their atoms.</dd> <dt id="isotonic_solution"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Isotonic_solutions" class="mw-redirect" title="Isotonic solutions">isotonic solution</a></dfn></dt> <dd>Refers to two solutions having the same osmotic pressure across a semipermeable membrane. This state allows for the free movement of water across the membrane without changing the concentration of solutes on either side.</dd> </dl> <div class="noprint" style="text-align:center;"><div role="navigation" id="toc" class="toc plainlinks" aria-labelledby="tocheading" style="margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto; text-align:left;"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1129693374"><div class="hlist"> <div id="toctitle" class="toctitle" style="text-align:center;display:inline-block;"><span id="tocheading" style="font-weight:bold;">Contents: </span></div> <div style="margin:auto; display:inline-block;"> <ul><li><a href="#0–9">0–9</a></li> <li><a href="#A">A</a></li> <li><a href="#B">B</a></li> <li><a href="#C">C</a></li> <li><a href="#D">D</a></li> <li><a href="#E">E</a></li> <li><a href="#F">F</a></li> <li><a href="#G">G</a></li> <li><a href="#H">H</a></li> <li><a href="#I">I</a></li> <li><a href="#J">J</a></li> <li><a href="#K">K</a></li> <li><a href="#L">L</a></li> <li><a href="#M">M</a></li> <li><a href="#N">N</a></li> <li><a href="#O">O</a></li> <li><a href="#P">P</a></li> <li><a href="#Q">Q</a></li> <li><a href="#R">R</a></li> <li><a href="#S">S</a></li> <li><a href="#T">T</a></li> <li><a href="#U">U</a></li> <li><a href="#V">V</a></li> <li><a href="#W">W</a></li> <li><a href="#X">X</a></li> <li><a href="#Y">Y</a></li> <li><a href="#Z">Z</a></li> <li><a href="#See_also">See also</a></li> <li><a href="#References">References</a></li> <li><a href="#External_links">External links</a></li></ul> </div></div></div></div> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="J">J</h2><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Glossary_of_biology&action=edit&section=10" title="Edit section: J"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1228772891"> <dl class="glossary"> <dt id="jejunum"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Jejunum" title="Jejunum">jejunum</a></dfn></dt> <dd> like gher vertebrates like mammals, birds, and reptiles. It is present between the <a href="/wiki/Duodenum" title="Duodenum">duodenum</a> and the <a href="/wiki/Ileum" title="Ileum">ileum</a>.</dd> </dl> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="K">K</h2><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Glossary_of_biology&action=edit&section=11" title="Edit section: K"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1228772891"> <dl class="glossary"> <dt id="kinase"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Kinase" title="Kinase">kinase</a></dfn></dt> <dd>An <a href="#enzyme"><span title="See entry on this page at § enzyme" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">enzyme</span></a> that catalyzes the transfer of phosphate groups from high-energy, phosphate-donating molecules to specific substrates.</dd> <dt id="kingdom"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Kingdom_(biology)" title="Kingdom (biology)">kingdom</a></dfn></dt> <dd></dd> <dt id="krebs_cycle"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Krebs_cycle" class="mw-redirect" title="Krebs cycle">Krebs cycle</a></dfn></dt> <dd>See <i><a href="#citric_acid_cycle"><span title="See entry on this page at § citric acid cycle" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">citric acid cycle</span></a></i>.</dd> </dl> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="L">L</h2><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Glossary_of_biology&action=edit&section=12" title="Edit section: L"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1228772891"> <dl class="glossary"> <dt id="larva"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Larva" title="Larva">larva</a></dfn></dt> <dd><i>(pl.)</i> <b>larvae</b></dd> <dd>A distinct juvenile form many <a href="#animal"><span title="See entry on this page at § animal" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">animals</span></a> undergo before <a href="#metamorphosis"><span title="See entry on this page at § metamorphosis" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">metamorphosis</span></a> into adults. Animals with indirect development, such as insects, amphibians, or cnidarians, typically have a larval phase of their <a href="#life_cycle"><span title="See entry on this page at § life cycle" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">life cycle</span></a>.</dd> <dt id="law_of_independent_assortment"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Law_of_Independent_Assortment" class="mw-redirect" title="Law of Independent Assortment">Law of Independent Assortment</a></dfn></dt> <dd>The principle, originally formulated by <a href="/wiki/Gregor_Mendel" title="Gregor Mendel">Gregor Mendel</a>, stating that when two or more characteristics are inherited, individual hereditary factors assort independently during gamete production, giving different traits an equal opportunity of occurring together.</dd> <dt id="leukocyte"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Leukocyte" class="mw-redirect" title="Leukocyte">leukocyte</a></dfn></dt> <p class="glossary-hatnote"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1236090951"><span role="note" class="hatnote navigation-not-searchable selfref">Also called a <b>white blood cell</b>.</span></p> <dd>A colourless cell of the <a href="/wiki/Immune_system" title="Immune system">immune system</a> which circulates in the <a href="#blood"><span title="See entry on this page at § blood" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">blood</span></a> and body fluids and is involved in counteracting foreign substances and <a href="#disease"><span title="See entry on this page at § disease" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">disease</span></a>. There are several types of leukocytes, all amoeboid cells with a nucleus, including <a href="/wiki/Lymphocyte" title="Lymphocyte">lymphocytes</a>, <a href="/wiki/Granulocyte" title="Granulocyte">granulocytes</a>, and <a href="/wiki/Monocyte" title="Monocyte">monocytes</a>.</dd> <dt id="lichen"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Lichen" title="Lichen">lichen</a></dfn></dt> <dd></dd> <dt id="life"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Life" title="Life">life</a></dfn></dt> <dd>The characteristic or collection of characteristics that distinguishes physical entities that undergo biological processes (e.g. living organisms) from that those do not (e.g. non-living, inanimate matter), either because such processes have ceased or because they were not present in the first place. What constitutes "life" is notoriously difficult to define, and there is currently no consensus definition, though some popular criteria are that living things are composed of <a href="#cell"><span title="See entry on this page at § cell" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">cells</span></a>, have a <a href="#life_cycle"><span title="See entry on this page at § life cycle" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">life cycle</span></a>, undergo <a href="#metabolism"><span title="See entry on this page at § metabolism" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">metabolism</span></a>, maintain <a href="#homeostasis"><span title="See entry on this page at § homeostasis" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">homeostasis</span></a>, <a href="#adaptation"><span title="See entry on this page at § adaptation" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">adapt</span></a> to environments, respond to <a href="#stimulus"><span title="See entry on this page at § stimulus" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">stimuli</span></a>, <a href="#reproduction"><span title="See entry on this page at § reproduction" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">reproduce</span></a>, and <a href="#evolution"><span title="See entry on this page at § evolution" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">evolve</span></a>. <a href="#biology"><span title="See entry on this page at § biology" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">Biology</span></a> is the scientific study of life and of living organisms.</dd> <dt id="life_cycle"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Biological_life_cycle" title="Biological life cycle">life cycle</a></dfn></dt> <dd></dd> <dt id="ligament"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Ligament" title="Ligament">ligament</a></dfn></dt> <dd>The fibrous connective tissue that connects bones to other bones and is also known as <i>articular ligament</i>, <i>articular larua</i>, <i>fibrous ligament</i>, or <i>true ligament</i>.</dd> <dt id="light-independent_reactions"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Light-independent_reactions" class="mw-redirect" title="Light-independent reactions">light-independent reactions</a></dfn></dt> <dd>See <i><a href="#calvin_cycle"><span title="See entry on this page at § Calvin cycle" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">Calvin cycle</span></a></i>.</dd> <dt id="linked_genes"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Linked_genes" class="mw-redirect" title="Linked genes">linked genes</a></dfn></dt> <dd>Any set of one or more <a href="#gene"><span title="See entry on this page at § gene" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">genes</span></a> which are sufficiently close together on the same chromosome that they are very unlikely to assort independently and therefore are usually inherited together.</dd> <dt id="lipid"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Lipid" title="Lipid">lipid</a></dfn></dt> <dd>A substance that is insoluble in water and soluble in alcohol, ether, and chloroform. Lipids are an important component of living cells. Together with carbohydrates and proteins, lipids are the main constituents of plant and animal cells. Cholesterol and triglycerides are lipids.</dd> <dt id="lipoprotein"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Lipoprotein" title="Lipoprotein">lipoprotein</a></dfn></dt> <dd>A biochemical assembly that contains both proteins and lipids, bound to the proteins, which allow fats to move through the water inside and outside cells. The proteins serve to emulsify the lipid molecules.</dd> </dl> <div class="noprint" style="text-align:center;"><div role="navigation" id="toc" class="toc plainlinks" aria-labelledby="tocheading" style="margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto; text-align:left;"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1129693374"><div class="hlist"> <div id="toctitle" class="toctitle" style="text-align:center;display:inline-block;"><span id="tocheading" style="font-weight:bold;">Contents: </span></div> <div style="margin:auto; display:inline-block;"> <ul><li><a href="#0–9">0–9</a></li> <li><a href="#A">A</a></li> <li><a href="#B">B</a></li> <li><a href="#C">C</a></li> <li><a href="#D">D</a></li> <li><a href="#E">E</a></li> <li><a href="#F">F</a></li> <li><a href="#G">G</a></li> <li><a href="#H">H</a></li> <li><a href="#I">I</a></li> <li><a href="#J">J</a></li> <li><a href="#K">K</a></li> <li><a href="#L">L</a></li> <li><a href="#M">M</a></li> <li><a href="#N">N</a></li> <li><a href="#O">O</a></li> <li><a href="#P">P</a></li> <li><a href="#Q">Q</a></li> <li><a href="#R">R</a></li> <li><a href="#S">S</a></li> <li><a href="#T">T</a></li> <li><a href="#U">U</a></li> <li><a href="#V">V</a></li> <li><a href="#W">W</a></li> <li><a href="#X">X</a></li> <li><a href="#Y">Y</a></li> <li><a href="#Z">Z</a></li> <li><a href="#See_also">See also</a></li> <li><a href="#References">References</a></li> <li><a href="#External_links">External links</a></li></ul> </div></div></div></div> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="M">M</h2><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Glossary_of_biology&action=edit&section=13" title="Edit section: M"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1228772891"> <dl class="glossary"> <dt id="m_phase"><dfn><a href="/wiki/M_phase" class="mw-redirect" title="M phase">M phase</a></dfn></dt> <dd>Mitosis and cytokinesis together define the mitotic (M) phase of an animal cell cycle – the division of the mother cell into two daughter cells, genetically identical to each other and to their parent cell.</dd> <dt id="macroevolution"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Macroevolution" title="Macroevolution">macroevolution</a></dfn></dt> <dd>Evolution on a scale of separated gene pools. Macroevolutionary studies focus on change that occurs at or above the level of species, in contrast with microevolution, which refers to smaller evolutionary changes (typically described as changes in allele frequencies) within a species or population.</dd> <dt id="macromolecule"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Macromolecule" title="Macromolecule">macromolecule</a></dfn></dt> <dd>A very large molecule, such as a protein, commonly created by polymerization of smaller subunits (monomers). They are typically composed of thousands or more atoms.</dd> <dt id="macronutrient"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Macronutrient" class="mw-redirect" title="Macronutrient">macronutrient</a></dfn></dt> <dd>Nutrients needed in large amounts which provide calories or energy. Nutrients are substances needed for growth, metabolism, and for other body functions. There are three basic types of macronutrients: fats, proteins, and carbohydrates.</dd> <dt id="macrophage"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Macrophage" title="Macrophage">macrophage</a></dfn></dt> <dd>A kind of swallowing cell, which means it functions by literally swallowing up other particles or smaller cells. Macrophages engulf and digest debris (such as dead cells) and foreign particles through the process of <a href="/wiki/Phagocytosis" title="Phagocytosis">phagocytosis</a>, so macrophages act like scavengers.</dd> <dt id="mammalogy"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Mammalogy" title="Mammalogy">mammalogy</a></dfn></dt> <dd>The branch of biology that studies <a href="/wiki/Mammal" title="Mammal">mammals</a>, a class of <a href="#vertebrate"><span title="See entry on this page at § vertebrate" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">vertebrates</span></a> with characteristics such as homeothermic metabolism, fur, four-chambered hearts, and complex nervous systems.</dd> <dt id="marine_biology"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Marine_biology" title="Marine biology">marine biology</a></dfn></dt> <dd>The study of organisms in the ocean or other marine bodies of water. Given that in biology many phyla, families and genera have some species that live in the sea and others that live on land, marine biology classifies species based on the environment rather than on taxonomy.</dd> <dt id="mast_cell"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Mast_cell" title="Mast cell">mast cell</a></dfn></dt> <dd>A cell filled with basophil granules, found in numbers in connective tissue and releasing histamine and other substances during inflammatory and allergic reactions.</dd> <dt id="mating"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Mating" title="Mating">mating</a></dfn></dt> <dd></dd> <dt id="medulla"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Medulla_oblongata" title="Medulla oblongata">medulla</a></dfn></dt> <dd>The continuation of the spinal cord within the skull, forming the lowest part of the brainstem and containing control centres for the heart and lungs.</dd> <dt id="meiosis"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Meiosis" title="Meiosis">meiosis</a></dfn></dt> <dd>A specialized type of <a href="#cell_division"><span title="See entry on this page at § cell division" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">cell division</span></a> in which a dividing parent cell proceeds through two consecutive divisions, ultimately producing four genetically unique daughter cells in each of which the <a href="#chromosome"><span title="See entry on this page at § chromosome" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">chromosome</span></a> number is half of that in the original parent cell. This process is exclusive to cells of the sex organs in <a href="#sexual_reproduction"><span title="See entry on this page at § sexual reproduction" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">sexually reproducing</span></a> <a href="#eukaryote"><span title="See entry on this page at § eukaryote" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">eukaryotes</span></a>, where it serves the purpose of generating <a href="#gamete"><span title="See entry on this page at § gamete" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">gametes</span></a> such as <a href="#egg"><span title="See entry on this page at § egg" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">eggs</span></a>, <a href="#sperm"><span title="See entry on this page at § sperm" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">sperm</span></a>, or <a href="#spore"><span title="See entry on this page at § spore" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">spores</span></a>.</dd> <dt id="membrane_potential"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Membrane_potential" title="Membrane potential">membrane potential</a></dfn></dt> <dd>When a nerve or muscle cell is at "rest", its membrane potential is called the resting membrane potential. In a typical neuron, this is about –70 millivolts (mV). The minus sign indicates that the inside of the cell is negative with respect to the surrounding extracellular fluid.</dd> <dt id="messenger_rna"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Messenger_RNA" title="Messenger RNA">messenger RNA</a></dfn></dt> <dd>A large family of RNA molecules that convey genetic information from DNA to the ribosome.</dd> <dt id="metabolism"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Metabolism" title="Metabolism">metabolism</a></dfn></dt> <dd></dd> <dt id="metamorphosis"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Metamorphosis" title="Metamorphosis">metamorphosis</a></dfn></dt> <dd></dd> <dt id="metaphase"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Metaphase" title="Metaphase">metaphase</a></dfn></dt> <dd>The third phase of mitosis, in which duplicated genetic material carried in the nucleus of a parent cell is separated into two identical daughter cells. During metaphase, the cell's chromosomes align themselves in the middle of the cell through a type of cellular "tug of war".</dd> <dt id="microbiology"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Microbiology" title="Microbiology">microbiology</a></dfn></dt> <dd>The study of microscopic organisms, such as bacteria, viruses, archaea, fungi and protozoa. This discipline includes fundamental research on the biochemistry, physiology, cell biology, ecology, evolution and clinical aspects of microorganisms, including the host response to these agents.</dd> <dt id="microevolution"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Microevolution" title="Microevolution">microevolution</a></dfn></dt> <dd>The alteration in <a href="/wiki/Allele" title="Allele">allele</a> frequencies that occurs over time within a population.</dd> <dt id="mitochondria"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Mitochondria" class="mw-redirect" title="Mitochondria">mitochondria</a></dfn></dt> <p class="glossary-hatnote"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1236090951"><span role="note" class="hatnote navigation-not-searchable selfref"><i>(sing.)</i> <b>mitochondrion</b></span></p> <dd></dd> <dt id="mitosis"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Mitosis" title="Mitosis">mitosis</a></dfn></dt> <dd>In <a href="#eukaryote"><span title="See entry on this page at § eukaryote" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">eukaryotic</span></a> <a href="#cell"><span title="See entry on this page at § cell" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">cells</span></a>, the part of the <a href="#cell_cycle"><span title="See entry on this page at § cell cycle" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">cell cycle</span></a> during which the division of the <a href="#nucleus"><span title="See entry on this page at § nucleus" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">nucleus</span></a> takes place and duplicated <a href="#chromosome"><span title="See entry on this page at § chromosome" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">chromosomes</span></a> are separated into two distinct nuclei. Mitosis is generally preceded by the "S" stage of <a href="#interphase"><span title="See entry on this page at § interphase" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">interphase</span></a>, when the cell's <a href="#dna"><span title="See entry on this page at § DNA" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">DNA</span></a> is <a href="#dna_replication"><span title="See entry on this page at § DNA replication" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">replicated</span></a>, and followed by <a href="#cytokinesis"><span title="See entry on this page at § cytokinesis" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">cytokinesis</span></a>, when the <a href="#cytoplasm"><span title="See entry on this page at § cytoplasm" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">cytoplasm</span></a> and <a href="#cell_membrane"><span title="See entry on this page at § cell membrane" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">cell membrane</span></a> are divided into two new daughter cells. It is similar to but distinct from <a href="#binary_fission"><span title="See entry on this page at § binary fission" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">binary fission</span></a> and <a href="#meiosis"><span title="See entry on this page at § meiosis" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">meiosis</span></a>.</dd> <dt id="molecule"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Molecule" title="Molecule">molecule</a></dfn></dt> <dd>The smallest particle in a chemical element or compound that has the chemical properties of that element or compound. Molecules are made up of atoms that are held together by chemical bonds. These bonds form as a result of the sharing or exchange of electrons among atoms.</dd> <dt id="molecular_biology"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Molecular_biology" title="Molecular biology">molecular biology</a></dfn></dt> <dd>The branch of biology concerning biological activity at the molecular level. The field of molecular biology overlaps with biology and chemistry and in particular with genetics and biochemistry.</dd> <dt id="molecular_switch"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Molecular_switch" title="Molecular switch">molecular switch</a></dfn></dt> <dd> A molecule that can be reversibly changed between two or more stable states.</dd> <dt id="monomer"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Monomer" title="Monomer">monomer</a></dfn></dt> <dd>A <a href="/wiki/Molecule" title="Molecule">molecule</a> that "can undergo polymerization thereby contributing constitutional units to the essential structure of a macromolecule".</dd> <dt id="morphology"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Morphology_(biology)" title="Morphology (biology)">morphology</a></dfn></dt> <dd></dd> <dt id="motile"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Motility" title="Motility">motile</a></dfn></dt> <dd></dd> <dt id="motor_neuron"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Motor_neuron" title="Motor neuron">motor neuron</a></dfn></dt> <dd>A neuron whose cell body is situated in the motor <a href="/wiki/Motor_cortex" title="Motor cortex">cortex</a>, <a href="/wiki/Brain_stem" class="mw-redirect" title="Brain stem">brain stem</a>, or the <a href="/wiki/Spinal_cord" title="Spinal cord">spinal cord</a>, and whose axon (fiber) projects to the spinal cord or outside of the spinal cord to directly or indirectly control effector organs, mainly muscles and glands.</dd> <dt id="mucous_membrane"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Mucous_membrane" title="Mucous membrane">mucous membrane</a></dfn></dt> <dd>A membrane that lines various cavities in the body and covers the surface of <a href="/wiki/Internal_organs" class="mw-redirect" title="Internal organs">internal organs</a>.</dd> <dt id="multicellular"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Multicellular_organism" title="Multicellular organism">multicellular</a></dfn></dt> <dd>Having or consisting of more than one <a href="#cell"><span title="See entry on this page at § cell" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">cell</span></a>, as opposed to being <a href="#unicellular"><span title="See entry on this page at § unicellular" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">unicellular</span></a>.</dd> <dt id="mycology"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Mycology" title="Mycology">mycology</a></dfn></dt> <dd>The branch of biology concerned with the study of <a href="/wiki/Fungi" class="mw-redirect" title="Fungi">fungi</a>, including their genetic and biochemical properties, their taxonomy and their use to humans as a source for tinder, medicine, food, and entheogens, as well as their dangers, such as poisoning or infection.</dd> <dt id="myofibril"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Myofibril" title="Myofibril">myofibril</a></dfn></dt> <dd>A basic rod-like unit of a muscle <a href="#cell"><span title="See entry on this page at § cell" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">cell</span></a>.</dd> <dt id="myosin"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Myosin" title="Myosin">myosin</a></dfn></dt> <dd>A superfamily of motor <a href="#protein"><span title="See entry on this page at § protein" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">proteins</span></a> best known for their roles in muscle contraction and in a wide range of other <a href="#motile"><span title="See entry on this page at § motile" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">motility</span></a> processes in <a href="/wiki/Eukaryote" title="Eukaryote">eukaryotes</a>.</dd> </dl> <div class="noprint" style="text-align:center;"><div role="navigation" id="toc" class="toc plainlinks" aria-labelledby="tocheading" style="margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto; text-align:left;"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1129693374"><div class="hlist"> <div id="toctitle" class="toctitle" style="text-align:center;display:inline-block;"><span id="tocheading" style="font-weight:bold;">Contents: </span></div> <div style="margin:auto; display:inline-block;"> <ul><li><a href="#0–9">0–9</a></li> <li><a href="#A">A</a></li> <li><a href="#B">B</a></li> <li><a href="#C">C</a></li> <li><a href="#D">D</a></li> <li><a href="#E">E</a></li> <li><a href="#F">F</a></li> <li><a href="#G">G</a></li> <li><a href="#H">H</a></li> <li><a href="#I">I</a></li> <li><a href="#J">J</a></li> <li><a href="#K">K</a></li> <li><a href="#L">L</a></li> <li><a href="#M">M</a></li> <li><a href="#N">N</a></li> <li><a href="#O">O</a></li> <li><a href="#P">P</a></li> <li><a href="#Q">Q</a></li> <li><a href="#R">R</a></li> <li><a href="#S">S</a></li> <li><a href="#T">T</a></li> <li><a href="#U">U</a></li> <li><a href="#V">V</a></li> <li><a href="#W">W</a></li> <li><a href="#X">X</a></li> <li><a href="#Y">Y</a></li> <li><a href="#Z">Z</a></li> <li><a href="#See_also">See also</a></li> <li><a href="#References">References</a></li> <li><a href="#External_links">External links</a></li></ul> </div></div></div></div> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="N">N</h2><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Glossary_of_biology&action=edit&section=14" title="Edit section: N"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1228772891"> <dl class="glossary"> <dt id="natural_selection"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Natural_selection" title="Natural selection">natural selection</a></dfn></dt> <dd> A process in nature in which organisms possessing certain <a href="#genotype"><span title="See entry on this page at § genotype" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">genotypic</span></a> characteristics that make them better adjusted to an environment tend to survive, reproduce, increase in number or <a href="/wiki/Gene_frequency" class="mw-redirect" title="Gene frequency">frequency</a>, and therefore, are able to transmit and perpetuate their essential genotypic qualities to succeeding generations.</dd> <dt id="neurobiology"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Neurobiology" class="mw-redirect" title="Neurobiology">neurobiology</a></dfn></dt> <p class="glossary-hatnote"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1236090951"><span role="note" class="hatnote navigation-not-searchable selfref">Also called <b>neuroscience</b>.</span></p> <dd>The scientific study of the <a href="/wiki/Nervous_system" title="Nervous system">nervous system</a>.</dd> <dt id="neuron"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Neuron" title="Neuron">neuron</a></dfn></dt> <dd>An <a href="/wiki/Electrically_excitable_cell" class="mw-redirect" title="Electrically excitable cell">electrically excitable cell</a> that receives, processes, and transmits information through electrical and chemical signals.</dd> <dt id="neurotransmitter"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Neurotransmitter" title="Neurotransmitter">neurotransmitter</a></dfn></dt> <dd>An <a href="#endogenous"><span title="See entry on this page at § endogenous" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">endogenous</span></a> compound that enable <a href="/wiki/Neurotransmission" title="Neurotransmission">neurotransmission</a>.</dd> <dt id="niche"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Ecological_niche" title="Ecological niche">niche</a></dfn></dt> <dd>The role and position an organism or taxon fills within its environment; how it meets its needs for food and shelter, how it survives, and how it reproduces. A species' niche includes all of its interactions with the biotic and abiotic factors of its environment.</dd> <dt id="nitrogen_fixation"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Nitrogen_fixation" title="Nitrogen fixation">nitrogen fixation</a></dfn></dt> <dd>The chemical process by which molecular <a href="/wiki/Nitrogen" title="Nitrogen">nitrogen</a> (N<sub>2</sub>) in the air is converted into <a href="/wiki/Ammonia" title="Ammonia">ammonia</a> (NH<sub>3</sub>) or related nitrogenous compounds, typically by specialized microorganisms in soil and aquatic ecosystems but also by certain non-biological processes. Despite comprising nearly 80% of the gas in the Earth's atmosphere, diatomic nitrogen is metabolically useless to all but a few microorganisms, known as <a href="/wiki/Diazotroph" title="Diazotroph">diazotrophs</a>. Nitrogen fixation is essential to all life on Earth because fixed inorganic nitrogenous compounds are required for the <a href="#biosynthesis"><span title="See entry on this page at § biosynthesis" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">biosynthesis</span></a> of all nitrogen-containing organic compounds, including <a href="#amino_acid"><span title="See entry on this page at § amino acid" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">amino acids</span></a> and <a href="#nucleic_acid"><span title="See entry on this page at § nucleic acid" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">nucleic acids</span></a>.</dd> <dt id="nucleic_acid"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Nucleic_acid" title="Nucleic acid">nucleic acid</a></dfn></dt> <dd>The <a href="/wiki/Biopolymer" title="Biopolymer">biopolymers</a>, or small <a href="/wiki/Biomolecules" class="mw-redirect" title="Biomolecules">biomolecules</a>, essential to all known forms of life .</dd> <dt id="nucleic_acid_sequence"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Nucleic_acid_sequence" title="Nucleic acid sequence">nucleic acid sequence</a></dfn></dt> <dd>A succession of letters that indicate the order of <a href="#nucleotide"><span title="See entry on this page at § nucleotide" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">nucleotides</span></a> forming alleles within a <a href="#dna"><span title="See entry on this page at § DNA" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">DNA</span></a> or <a href="#rna"><span title="See entry on this page at § RNA" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">RNA</span></a> molecule.</dd> <dt id="nucleobase"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Nucleobase" class="mw-redirect" title="Nucleobase">nucleobase</a></dfn></dt> <dd>The nitrogen-containing biological compounds that form <a href="/wiki/Nucleoside" title="Nucleoside">nucleosides</a>, which in turn are components of <a href="#nucleotide"><span title="See entry on this page at § nucleotide" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">nucleotides</span></a>, with all of these monomers constituting the basic building blocks of nucleic acids.</dd> <dt id="nucleoid"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Nucleoid" title="Nucleoid">nucleoid</a></dfn></dt> <dd>An irregularly shaped region within the cell of a <a href="#prokaryote"><span title="See entry on this page at § prokaryote" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">prokaryote</span></a> that contains all or most of the genetic material, called the <a href="/wiki/Genophore" class="mw-redirect" title="Genophore">genophore</a>.</dd> <dt id="nucleolus"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Nucleolus" title="Nucleolus">nucleolus</a></dfn></dt> <dd>The largest structure within the <a href="#nucleus"><span title="See entry on this page at § nucleus" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">nucleus</span></a> of <a href="#eukaryote"><span title="See entry on this page at § eukaryote" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">eukaryotic</span></a> cells.</dd> <dt id="nucleotide"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Nucleotide" title="Nucleotide">nucleotide</a></dfn></dt> <dd>An organic compound which serves as the fundamental <a href="#monomer"><span title="See entry on this page at § monomer" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">monomer</span></a> used in the construction of <a href="#nucleic_acid"><span title="See entry on this page at § nucleic acid" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">nucleic acid</span></a> polymers, such as <a href="#dna"><span title="See entry on this page at § DNA" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">DNA</span></a> and <a href="#rna"><span title="See entry on this page at § RNA" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">RNA</span></a>, both of which are essential biomolecules within all living organisms.</dd> </dl> <div class="noprint" style="text-align:center;"><div role="navigation" id="toc" class="toc plainlinks" aria-labelledby="tocheading" style="margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto; text-align:left;"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1129693374"><div class="hlist"> <div id="toctitle" class="toctitle" style="text-align:center;display:inline-block;"><span id="tocheading" style="font-weight:bold;">Contents: </span></div> <div style="margin:auto; display:inline-block;"> <ul><li><a href="#0–9">0–9</a></li> <li><a href="#A">A</a></li> <li><a href="#B">B</a></li> <li><a href="#C">C</a></li> <li><a href="#D">D</a></li> <li><a href="#E">E</a></li> <li><a href="#F">F</a></li> <li><a href="#G">G</a></li> <li><a href="#H">H</a></li> <li><a href="#I">I</a></li> <li><a href="#J">J</a></li> <li><a href="#K">K</a></li> <li><a href="#L">L</a></li> <li><a href="#M">M</a></li> <li><a href="#N">N</a></li> <li><a href="#O">O</a></li> <li><a href="#P">P</a></li> <li><a href="#Q">Q</a></li> <li><a href="#R">R</a></li> <li><a href="#S">S</a></li> <li><a href="#T">T</a></li> <li><a href="#U">U</a></li> <li><a href="#V">V</a></li> <li><a href="#W">W</a></li> <li><a href="#X">X</a></li> <li><a href="#Y">Y</a></li> <li><a href="#Z">Z</a></li> <li><a href="#See_also">See also</a></li> <li><a href="#References">References</a></li> <li><a href="#External_links">External links</a></li></ul> </div></div></div></div> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="O">O</h2><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Glossary_of_biology&action=edit&section=15" title="Edit section: O"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1228772891"> <dl class="glossary"> <dt id="offspring"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Offspring" title="Offspring">offspring</a></dfn></dt> <dd></dd> <dt id="order"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Order_(biology)" title="Order (biology)">order</a></dfn></dt> <dd></dd> <dt id="organ"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Organ_(anatomy)" class="mw-redirect" title="Organ (anatomy)">organ</a></dfn></dt> <dd>A collection of <a href="#tissue"><span title="See entry on this page at § tissue" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">tissues</span></a> joined in a structural unit to serve a common function.</dd> <dt id="organism"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Organism" title="Organism">organism</a></dfn></dt> <dd>A contiguous living system.</dd> <dt id="ornithology"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Ornithology" title="Ornithology">ornithology</a></dfn></dt> <dd>The branch of <a href="#zoology"><span title="See entry on this page at § zoology" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">zoology</span></a> that concerns the study of <a href="/wiki/Bird" title="Bird">birds</a>.</dd> <dt id="osmosis"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Osmosis" title="Osmosis">osmosis</a></dfn></dt> <dd>The spontaneous net movement of solvent molecules through a semipermeable membrane into a region of higher solute concentration, in the direction that tends to equalize the solute concentrations on the two sides.</dd> </dl> <div class="noprint" style="text-align:center;"><div role="navigation" id="toc" class="toc plainlinks" aria-labelledby="tocheading" style="margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto; text-align:left;"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1129693374"><div class="hlist"> <div id="toctitle" class="toctitle" style="text-align:center;display:inline-block;"><span id="tocheading" style="font-weight:bold;">Contents: </span></div> <div style="margin:auto; display:inline-block;"> <ul><li><a href="#0–9">0–9</a></li> <li><a href="#A">A</a></li> <li><a href="#B">B</a></li> <li><a href="#C">C</a></li> <li><a href="#D">D</a></li> <li><a href="#E">E</a></li> <li><a href="#F">F</a></li> <li><a href="#G">G</a></li> <li><a href="#H">H</a></li> <li><a href="#I">I</a></li> <li><a href="#J">J</a></li> <li><a href="#K">K</a></li> <li><a href="#L">L</a></li> <li><a href="#M">M</a></li> <li><a href="#N">N</a></li> <li><a href="#O">O</a></li> <li><a href="#P">P</a></li> <li><a href="#Q">Q</a></li> <li><a href="#R">R</a></li> <li><a href="#S">S</a></li> <li><a href="#T">T</a></li> <li><a href="#U">U</a></li> <li><a href="#V">V</a></li> <li><a href="#W">W</a></li> <li><a href="#X">X</a></li> <li><a href="#Y">Y</a></li> <li><a href="#Z">Z</a></li> <li><a href="#See_also">See also</a></li> <li><a href="#References">References</a></li> <li><a href="#External_links">External links</a></li></ul> </div></div></div></div> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="P">P</h2><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Glossary_of_biology&action=edit&section=16" title="Edit section: P"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1228772891"> <dl class="glossary"> <dt id="paleontology"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Paleontology" title="Paleontology">paleontology</a></dfn></dt> <dd>The study of the history of life on Earth as reflected in the <a href="/wiki/Fossil_record" class="mw-redirect" title="Fossil record">fossil record</a>. Fossils are the remains or traces of organisms that lived in the geological past and have been preserved in the Earth's crust.</dd> <dt id="parallel_evolution"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Parallel_evolution" title="Parallel evolution">parallel evolution</a></dfn></dt> <dd>The development of a similar trait in related, but distinct, species descending from the same <a href="/wiki/Ancestor" title="Ancestor">ancestor</a>, but from different <a href="/wiki/Clade" title="Clade">clades</a>.</dd> <dt id="parasite"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Parasite" class="mw-redirect" title="Parasite">parasite</a></dfn></dt> <dd></dd> <dt id="parasitology"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Parasitology" title="Parasitology">parasitology</a></dfn></dt> <dd>The study of <a href="#parasite"><span title="See entry on this page at § parasite" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">parasites</span></a>, their <a href="#host"><span title="See entry on this page at § host" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">hosts</span></a>, and the relationship between them. As a biological discipline, the scope of parasitology is not determined by the organism or environment in question, but by their way of life.</dd> <dt id="pathobiology"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Pathobiology" class="mw-redirect" title="Pathobiology">pathobiology</a></dfn></dt> <dd>The study or practice of <a href="#pathology"><span title="See entry on this page at § pathology" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">pathology</span></a> with greater emphasis on the biological than on the medical aspects.</dd> <dt id="pathogen"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Pathogen" title="Pathogen">pathogen</a></dfn></dt> <dd>In the broadest sense, anything that can produce <a href="#disease"><span title="See entry on this page at § disease" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">disease</span></a>, though the term is most commonly used to refer specifically to an infectious <a href="#microorganism"><span title="See entry on this page at § microorganism" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">microscopic organism</span></a> such as a <a href="#virus"><span title="See entry on this page at § virus" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">virus</span></a>, <a href="#bacteria"><span title="See entry on this page at § bacteria" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">bacterium</span></a>, <a href="#protozoa"><span title="See entry on this page at § protozoa" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">protozoan</span></a>, or another microbial agent which causes disease for a <a href="#host"><span title="See entry on this page at § host" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">host</span></a> organism by invading the host's tissues.</dd> <dt id="pathology"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Pathology" title="Pathology">pathology</a></dfn></dt> <dd>A medical specialty that is concerned with the diagnosis of <a href="#disease"><span title="See entry on this page at § disease" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">disease</span></a> based on the laboratory analysis of bodily fluids such as <a href="#blood"><span title="See entry on this page at § blood" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">blood</span></a> and <a href="#urine"><span title="See entry on this page at § urine" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">urine</span></a>, as well as <a href="#tissue"><span title="See entry on this page at § tissue" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">tissues</span></a>, using the tools of chemistry, clinical microbiology, hematology, and molecular pathology.</dd> <dt id="ph"><dfn><a href="/wiki/PH" title="PH">pH</a></dfn></dt> <dd>A numeric scale used to specify the acidity or basicity (alkalinity) of an aqueous solution. It is roughly the negative of the logarithm to base 10 of the concentration, measured in units of moles per liter, of hydrogen ions.</dd> <dt id="pharmacology"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Pharmacology" title="Pharmacology">pharmacology</a></dfn></dt> <dd>The science of <a href="#drug"><span title="See entry on this page at § drug" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">drug</span></a> action on biological systems. In its entirety, it embraces knowledge of the sources, chemical properties, biological effects, and therapeutic uses of drugs.</dd> <dt id="phenotype"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Phenotype" title="Phenotype">phenotype</a></dfn></dt> <dd>The composite of an organism's observable features or traits, such as its morphology, development, biochemical or physiological properties, behavior, and products of behavior.</dd> <dt id="pheromone"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Pheromone" title="Pheromone">pheromone</a></dfn></dt> <dd>A secreted or excreted chemical factor that triggers a social response in members of the same <a href="#species"><span title="See entry on this page at § species" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">species</span></a>. Pheromones are analogous to <a href="#hormone"><span title="See entry on this page at § hormone" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">hormones</span></a> acting outside the body of the secreting individual to impact the behavior of receiving individuals.</dd> <dt id="phloem"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Phloem" title="Phloem">phloem</a></dfn></dt> <dd>The conducting tissue in plants responsible for the conduction of food particles.</dd> <dt id="photosynthesis"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Photosynthesis" title="Photosynthesis">photosynthesis</a></dfn></dt> <dd>The process by which nearly all <a href="#plant"><span title="See entry on this page at § plant" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">plants</span></a> and some <a href="#algae"><span title="See entry on this page at § algae" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">algae</span></a> and <a href="#bacteria"><span title="See entry on this page at § bacteria" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">bacteria</span></a> convert the energy of sunlight into chemical energy, which is used to synthesize <a href="/wiki/Carbohydrate" title="Carbohydrate">carbohydrates</a> such as <a href="/wiki/Sugar" title="Sugar">sugars</a> from <a href="/wiki/Carbon_dioxide" title="Carbon dioxide">carbon dioxide</a> and water; these carbohydrates are stored as food, and the energy within them is later released to fuel <a href="#metabolism"><span title="See entry on this page at § metabolism" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">metabolic</span></a> activities. Organisms that perform photosynthesis are therefore <a href="#autotroph"><span title="See entry on this page at § autotroph" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">autotrophs</span></a>. Photosynthesis supplies the majority of the energy necessary for life on Earth.</dd> <dt id="phylogeny"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Phylogeny" class="mw-redirect" title="Phylogeny">phylogeny</a></dfn></dt> <dd></dd> <dt id="phylum"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Phylum" title="Phylum">phylum</a></dfn></dt> <dd>A <a href="#taxonomy"><span title="See entry on this page at § taxonomy" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">taxonomic</span></a> rank or level of classification below <a href="#kingdom"><span title="See entry on this page at § kingdom" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">kingdom</span></a> and above <a href="#class"><span title="See entry on this page at § class" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">class</span></a>; in <a href="#botany"><span title="See entry on this page at § botany" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">botany</span></a>, the term <a href="#division"><span title="See entry on this page at § division" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">division</span></a> is commonly used in place of phylum.</dd> <dt id="physiology"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Physiology" title="Physiology">physiology</a></dfn></dt> <dd>The branch of biology dealing with the functions and activities of living organisms and their parts, including all physical and chemical processes.</dd> <dt id="phytochemistry"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Phytochemistry" title="Phytochemistry">phytochemistry</a></dfn></dt> <dd>The study of <a href="/wiki/Phytochemicals" class="mw-redirect" title="Phytochemicals">phytochemicals</a>, which are chemicals derived from <a href="#plant"><span title="See entry on this page at § plant" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">plants</span></a>.</dd> <dt id="phytopathology"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Phytopathology" class="mw-redirect" title="Phytopathology">phytopathology</a></dfn></dt> <dd>The science of diagnosing and managing <a href="#plant"><span title="See entry on this page at § plant" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">plant</span></a> diseases.</dd> <dt id="piliferous"><dfn>piliferous</dfn></dt> <dd>Bearing hair</dd> <dt id="placebo"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Placebo" title="Placebo">placebo</a></dfn></dt> <dd>A <a href="/wiki/Chemical_substance" title="Chemical substance">substance</a> or treatment of no intended therapeutic value.</dd> <dt id="plant"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Plant" title="Plant">plant</a></dfn></dt> <dd></dd> <dt id="plasmolysis"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Plasmolysis" title="Plasmolysis">plasmolysis</a></dfn></dt> <dd>The process in which <a href="#cell"><span title="See entry on this page at § cell" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">cells</span></a> lose water in a <a href="/wiki/Hypertonic_solution" class="mw-redirect" title="Hypertonic solution">hypertonic solution</a>.</dd> <dt id="pollination"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Pollination" title="Pollination">pollination</a></dfn></dt> <dd>The transfer of <a href="/wiki/Pollen" title="Pollen">pollen</a> from a male part of a plant to a female part of a plant, enabling later fertilisation and the production of seeds. Pollen is most commonly transported by animals or by wind.</dd> <dt id="polymer"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Polymer" title="Polymer">polymer</a></dfn></dt> <dd>A large <a href="/wiki/Macromolecule" title="Macromolecule">macromolecule</a> composed of many repeated subunits.</dd> <span id="pCR"></span><dt id="polymerase_chain_reaction_(pcr)"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Polymerase_chain_reaction" title="Polymerase chain reaction">polymerase chain reaction</a> (PCR)</dfn></dt> <dd>A technique used in <a href="#molecular_biology"><span title="See entry on this page at § molecular biology" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">molecular biology</span></a> to amplify a single copy or a few copies of a segment of <a href="#dna"><span title="See entry on this page at § DNA" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">DNA</span></a> across several orders of magnitude, generating thousands to millions of copies of a particular <a href="#dna"><span title="See entry on this page at § DNA" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">DNA</span></a> sequence.</dd> <dt id="polyploidy"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Polyploidy" title="Polyploidy">polyploidy</a></dfn></dt> <dd>Having or containing more than two complete sets of <a href="#chromosome"><span title="See entry on this page at § chromosome" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">chromosomes</span></a>.</dd> <dt id="population"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Population_(biology)" class="mw-redirect" title="Population (biology)">population</a></dfn></dt> <dd>All the organisms of the same group or <a href="#species"><span title="See entry on this page at § species" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">species</span></a> that live in a particular geographical area and are capable of interbreeding.</dd> <dt id="population_biology"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Population_biology" title="Population biology">population biology</a></dfn></dt> <dd>The study of <a href="#population"><span title="See entry on this page at § population" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">populations</span></a> of <a href="#organism"><span title="See entry on this page at § organism" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">organisms</span></a>, especially the regulation of population size, life history traits such as clutch size, and <a href="#extinction"><span title="See entry on this page at § extinction" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">extinction</span></a>.</dd> <dt id="population_ecology"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Population_ecology" title="Population ecology">population ecology</a></dfn></dt> <p class="glossary-hatnote"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1236090951"><span role="note" class="hatnote navigation-not-searchable selfref">Also called <b>autoecology</b>.</span></p> <dd>A subfield of <a href="#ecology"><span title="See entry on this page at § ecology" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">ecology</span></a> that deals with the dynamics of species <a href="#population"><span title="See entry on this page at § population" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">populations</span></a> and how these populations interact with the environment. It is the study of how the population sizes of species change over time and space.</dd> <dt id="predation"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Predation" title="Predation">predation</a></dfn></dt> <dd>A biological interaction in which a <a href="#predator"><span title="See entry on this page at § predator" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">predator</span></a> kills and eats its <a href="#prey"><span title="See entry on this page at § prey" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">prey</span></a>.</dd> <dt id="predator"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Predator" class="mw-redirect" title="Predator">predator</a></dfn></dt> <dd></dd> <dt id="prey"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Prey" class="mw-redirect" title="Prey">prey</a></dfn></dt> <dd></dd> <dt id="primer"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Primer_(molecular_biology)" title="Primer (molecular biology)">primer</a></dfn></dt> <dd>A short strand of <a href="#rna"><span title="See entry on this page at § RNA" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">RNA</span></a> or <a href="#dna"><span title="See entry on this page at § DNA" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">DNA</span></a> that serves as a starting point for <a href="/wiki/DNA_synthesis" title="DNA synthesis">DNA synthesis</a>.</dd> <dt id="progeny"><dfn>progeny</dfn></dt> <dd>Any genetic descendant or <a href="#offspring"><span title="See entry on this page at § offspring" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">offspring</span></a>.</dd> <dt id="progesterone"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Progesterone" title="Progesterone">progesterone</a></dfn></dt> <dd>An <a href="#endogenous"><span title="See entry on this page at § endogenous" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">endogenous</span></a> <a href="#steroid"><span title="See entry on this page at § steroid" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">steroid</span></a> and progestogen sex <a href="#hormone"><span title="See entry on this page at § hormone" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">hormone</span></a> which plays a critical role in the <a href="/wiki/Menstrual_cycle" title="Menstrual cycle">menstrual cycle</a>, <a href="/wiki/Pregnancy" title="Pregnancy">pregnancy</a>, and <a href="/wiki/Embryogenesis" class="mw-redirect" title="Embryogenesis">embryogenesis</a> in humans and other animal species.</dd> <dt id="prokaryote"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Prokaryote" title="Prokaryote">prokaryote</a></dfn></dt><span class="anchor" id="prokaryotic"></span> <dd>A type of <a href="#organism"><span title="See entry on this page at § organism" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">organism</span></a> which does not have a true <a href="#nucleus"><span title="See entry on this page at § nucleus" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">nucleus</span></a>.</dd> <dt id="protein"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Protein" title="Protein">protein</a></dfn></dt> <dd>A polypeptide chain of <a href="#amino_acid"><span title="See entry on this page at § amino acid" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">amino acids</span></a>. It is a body-building nutrient.</dd> <dt id="protist"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Protist" title="Protist">protist</a></dfn></dt> <dd></dd> <dt id="psychobiology"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Psychobiology" class="mw-redirect" title="Psychobiology">psychobiology</a></dfn></dt> <p class="glossary-hatnote"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1236090951"><span role="note" class="hatnote navigation-not-searchable selfref">Also called <b>behavioral neuroscience</b>, <b>biological psychology</b>, and <b>biopsychology</b>.</span></p> <dd>The application of the principles of biology to the study of physiological, genetic, and developmental mechanisms of behavior in humans and other animals.</dd> </dl> <div class="noprint" style="text-align:center;"><div role="navigation" id="toc" class="toc plainlinks" aria-labelledby="tocheading" style="margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto; text-align:left;"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1129693374"><div class="hlist"> <div id="toctitle" class="toctitle" style="text-align:center;display:inline-block;"><span id="tocheading" style="font-weight:bold;">Contents: </span></div> <div style="margin:auto; display:inline-block;"> <ul><li><a href="#0–9">0–9</a></li> <li><a href="#A">A</a></li> <li><a href="#B">B</a></li> <li><a href="#C">C</a></li> <li><a href="#D">D</a></li> <li><a href="#E">E</a></li> <li><a href="#F">F</a></li> <li><a href="#G">G</a></li> <li><a href="#H">H</a></li> <li><a href="#I">I</a></li> <li><a href="#J">J</a></li> <li><a href="#K">K</a></li> <li><a href="#L">L</a></li> <li><a href="#M">M</a></li> <li><a href="#N">N</a></li> <li><a href="#O">O</a></li> <li><a href="#P">P</a></li> <li><a href="#Q">Q</a></li> <li><a href="#R">R</a></li> <li><a href="#S">S</a></li> <li><a href="#T">T</a></li> <li><a href="#U">U</a></li> <li><a href="#V">V</a></li> <li><a href="#W">W</a></li> <li><a href="#X">X</a></li> <li><a href="#Y">Y</a></li> <li><a href="#Z">Z</a></li> <li><a href="#See_also">See also</a></li> <li><a href="#References">References</a></li> <li><a href="#External_links">External links</a></li></ul> </div></div></div></div> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="R">R</h2><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Glossary_of_biology&action=edit&section=17" title="Edit section: R"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1228772891"> <dl class="glossary"> <dt id="regeneration"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Regeneration_(biology)" title="Regeneration (biology)">regeneration</a></dfn></dt> <dd>The process of renewal, restoration, and growth that makes <a href="#genome"><span title="See entry on this page at § genome" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">genomes</span></a>, <a href="#cell"><span title="See entry on this page at § cell" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">cells</span></a>, <a href="#organism"><span title="See entry on this page at § organism" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">organisms</span></a>, and <a href="#ecosystem"><span title="See entry on this page at § ecosystem" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">ecosystems</span></a> resilient to natural fluctuations or events that cause disturbance or damage. For example, many organisms are capable of regenerating <a href="#tissue"><span title="See entry on this page at § tissue" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">tissues</span></a> and even entire body parts if they are lost or destroyed.</dd> <dt id="reproduction"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Reproduction" title="Reproduction">reproduction</a></dfn></dt> <p class="glossary-hatnote"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1236090951"><span role="note" class="hatnote navigation-not-searchable selfref">Also called <b>procreation</b> or <b>breeding</b>.</span></p> <dd>The biological process by which one or more new individual <a href="#organism"><span title="See entry on this page at § organism" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">organisms</span></a> (known as <a href="#offspring"><span title="See entry on this page at § offspring" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">offspring</span></a>) is produced from an existing <a href="#parent"><span title="See entry on this page at § parent" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">parent</span></a> organism. Reproduction is a defining characteristic of all <a href="#life"><span title="See entry on this page at § life" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">life</span></a>, and every individual organism exists as the result of a reproductive event. There are two general methods by which reproduction takes place: <a href="#sexual_reproduction"><span title="See entry on this page at § sexual reproduction" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">sexual</span></a> or <a href="#asexual_reproduction"><span title="See entry on this page at § asexual reproduction" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">asexual</span></a>.</dd> <dt id="reproductive_biology"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Reproductive_biology" title="Reproductive biology">reproductive biology</a></dfn></dt> <dd>The branch of biology that studies the various types and mechanisms of <a href="#reproduction"><span title="See entry on this page at § reproduction" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">reproduction</span></a> used by living organisms, typically with special emphasis on <a href="#cell_division"><span title="See entry on this page at § cell division" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">cell division</span></a>, <a href="#fertility"><span title="See entry on this page at § fertility" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">fertility</span></a>, <a href="#endocrinology"><span title="See entry on this page at § endocrinology" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">endocrinology</span></a>, and/or the <a href="#tissue"><span title="See entry on this page at § tissue" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">tissues</span></a>, <a href="#organ"><span title="See entry on this page at § organ" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">organs</span></a>, and systems involved in reproduction.</dd> <span id="rNA"></span><dt id="ribonucleic_acid_(rna)"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Ribonucleic_acid" class="mw-redirect" title="Ribonucleic acid">ribonucleic acid</a> (RNA)</dfn></dt> <dd>A <a href="#nucleic_acid"><span title="See entry on this page at § nucleic acid" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">nucleic acid</span></a> <a href="#polymer"><span title="See entry on this page at § polymer" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">polymer</span></a> composed of a series of <a href="/wiki/Ribonucleotide" title="Ribonucleotide">ribonucleotides</a> which incorporate a set of four <a href="/wiki/Nucleobase" class="mw-redirect" title="Nucleobase">nucleobases</a>: <a href="#adenine"><span title="See entry on this page at § adenine" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">adenine</span></a> (A), <a href="#guanine"><span title="See entry on this page at § guanine" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">guanine</span></a> (G), <a href="#cytosine"><span title="See entry on this page at § cytosine" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">cytosine</span></a> (C), and <a href="#uracil"><span title="See entry on this page at § uracil" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">uracil</span></a> (U). Closely related to <a href="#dna"><span title="See entry on this page at § DNA" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">DNA</span></a>, RNA molecules serve in a wide variety of essential biological roles, including <a href="#genetic_code"><span title="See entry on this page at § genetic code" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">coding</span></a>, <a href="#translation"><span title="See entry on this page at § translation" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">decoding</span></a>, regulating, and expressing <a href="#gene"><span title="See entry on this page at § gene" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">genes</span></a>, as well as functioning as signaling molecules.</dd> <dt id="ribosome"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Ribosome" title="Ribosome">ribosome</a></dfn></dt> <dd>A complex molecular machine, found within all living <a href="#cell"><span title="See entry on this page at § cell" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">cells</span></a>, that serves as the site of biological protein synthesis.</dd> <dt id="rna"><dfn><a href="/wiki/RNA" title="RNA">RNA</a></dfn></dt> <dd>See <i><a href="#rna"><span title="See entry on this page at § RNA" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">ribonucleic acid</span></a></i>.</dd> <dt id="rna_polymerase"><dfn><a href="/wiki/RNA_polymerase" title="RNA polymerase">RNA polymerase</a></dfn></dt> <dd>A member of a family of <a href="/wiki/Enzymes" class="mw-redirect" title="Enzymes">enzymes</a> that are essential to life: they are found in all organisms and many <a href="/wiki/Viruses" class="mw-redirect" title="Viruses">viruses</a>.</dd> </dl> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="S">S</h2><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Glossary_of_biology&action=edit&section=18" title="Edit section: S"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1228772891"> <dl class="glossary"> <dt id="sclerenchyma"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Ground_tissue#Sclerenchyma" title="Ground tissue">sclerenchyma</a></dfn></dt> <dd>A type of <a href="#tissue"><span title="See entry on this page at § tissue" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">tissue</span></a> in which cells have thick lignified secondary walls and often die when mature.</dd> <dt id="seed"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Seed" title="Seed">seed</a></dfn></dt> <dd>The <a href="#embryo"><span title="See entry on this page at § embryo" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">embryo</span></a>, enclosed in a protective outer covering, of certain types of <a href="#plant"><span title="See entry on this page at § plant" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">plants</span></a>.</dd> <dt id="selective_breeding"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Selective_breeding" title="Selective breeding">selective breeding</a></dfn></dt> <dd>See <i><a href="#artificial_selection"><span title="See entry on this page at § artificial selection" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">artificial selection</span></a></i>.</dd> <dt id="sessile"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Sessility_(motility)" title="Sessility (motility)">sessile</a></dfn></dt> <dd>1.  Generally, lacking motility or means of self-locomotion; immobile or incapable of movement. Sessile organisms may move via external forces such as wind or water currents but are more often permanently fixed to a solid object such as a rock, soil, or another organism.</dd> <dd>2.  In <a href="#botany"><span title="See entry on this page at § botany" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">botany</span></a>, the property of a <a href="#plant"><span title="See entry on this page at § plant" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">plant</span></a> or plant part that is attached directly by its base to an object or another plant part, i.e. without an intervening <a href="/wiki/Stem_(botany)" class="mw-redirect" title="Stem (botany)">stem</a>, stalk, or <a href="/wiki/Petiole_(botany)" title="Petiole (botany)">petiole</a>.</dd> <dt id="sex"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Sex" title="Sex">sex</a></dfn></dt> <dd></dd> <dt id="sexual_reproduction"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Sexual_reproduction" title="Sexual reproduction">sexual reproduction</a></dfn></dt> <dd>A type of <a href="#reproduction"><span title="See entry on this page at § reproduction" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">reproduction</span></a> in which <a href="#cell"><span title="See entry on this page at § cell" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">cells</span></a> from two parents unite to form the first cell of a new organism.</dd> <dt id="sociality"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Sociality" title="Sociality">sociality</a></dfn></dt> <dd>The degree to which individuals in an <a href="#animal"><span title="See entry on this page at § animal" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">animal</span></a> <a href="#population"><span title="See entry on this page at § population" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">population</span></a> tend to associate in social groups and form cooperative societies.</dd> <dt id="sociobiology"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Sociobiology" title="Sociobiology">sociobiology</a></dfn></dt> <dd>A branch of biology that is based on the hypothesis that social behavior has resulted from <a href="#evolution"><span title="See entry on this page at § evolution" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">evolution</span></a> and which attempts to explain and examine social behavior within that context.</dd> <dt id="soil_biology"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Soil_biology" title="Soil biology">soil biology</a></dfn></dt> <dd>The study of <a href="#microbe"><span title="See entry on this page at § microbe" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">microbial</span></a> and faunal activity and <a href="#ecology"><span title="See entry on this page at § ecology" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">ecology</span></a> in <a href="/wiki/Soil" title="Soil">soil</a>.</dd> <dt id="species"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Species" title="Species">species</a></dfn></dt> <dd>The basic unit of biological classification and the narrowest of the canonical <a href="#taxonomy"><span title="See entry on this page at § taxonomy" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">taxonomic</span></a> ranks, as well as a unit of <a href="#biodiversity"><span title="See entry on this page at § biodiversity" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">biodiversity</span></a>. Species are traditionally distinguished on the basis of <a href="#reproduction"><span title="See entry on this page at § reproduction" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">reproductive</span></a> compatibility, though achieving a satisfactory definition that is universally applicable to all life has proven difficult, since many organisms classified as distinct "species" are capable of interbreeding with different (albeit closely related) species, generating <a href="#hybrid"><span title="See entry on this page at § hybrid" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">hybrids</span></a>.</dd> <dt id="speciation"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Speciation" title="Speciation">speciation</a></dfn></dt> <dd>The <a href="#evolution"><span title="See entry on this page at § evolution" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">evolutionary</span></a> process by which populations of organisms evolve to become distinct <a href="#species"><span title="See entry on this page at § species" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">species</span></a>, typically via <a href="/wiki/Reproductive_isolation" title="Reproductive isolation">reproductive isolation</a>.</dd> <dt id="sperm"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Sperm" title="Sperm">sperm</a></dfn></dt> <dd></dd> <dt id="spore"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Spore" title="Spore">spore</a></dfn></dt> <dd></dd> <dt id="stem_cell"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Stem_cell" title="Stem cell">stem cell</a></dfn></dt> <dd>A type of undifferentiated or partially undifferentiated <a href="#cell"><span title="See entry on this page at § cell" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">cell</span></a> that is capable of differentiating into other types of specialized cells and also capable of <a href="#cell_division"><span title="See entry on this page at § cell division" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">dividing</span></a> to produce more of the same type of stem cell. Stem cells are the earliest type of cell in a <a href="#cell_lineage"><span title="See entry on this page at § cell lineage" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">cell lineage</span></a>.</dd> <dt id="steroid"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Steroid" title="Steroid">steroid</a></dfn></dt> <dd>A biologically active organic compound with four rings arranged in a specific molecular configuration.</dd> <dt id="strain"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Strain_(biology)" title="Strain (biology)">strain</a></dfn></dt> <dd>A genetic variant, subtype, or <a href="/wiki/Microbial_culture" class="mw-redirect" title="Microbial culture">culture</a> identified as a distinct <a href="#taxonomy"><span title="See entry on this page at § taxonomy" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">taxonomic</span></a> subdivision within a <a href="#species"><span title="See entry on this page at § species" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">species</span></a>. The term is most commonly used to identify particular types of <a href="#bacteria"><span title="See entry on this page at § bacteria" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">bacteria</span></a> and <a href="#virus"><span title="See entry on this page at § virus" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">viruses</span></a>.</dd> <dt id="structural_biology"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Structural_biology" title="Structural biology">structural biology</a></dfn></dt> <dd>The branch of <a href="#molecular_biology"><span title="See entry on this page at § molecular biology" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">molecular biology</span></a>, <a href="#biochemistry"><span title="See entry on this page at § biochemistry" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">biochemistry</span></a>, and <a href="#biophysics"><span title="See entry on this page at § biophysics" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">biophysics</span></a> concerned with the molecular structure of biological <a href="#macromolecule"><span title="See entry on this page at § macromolecule" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">macromolecules</span></a>, especially <a href="#protein"><span title="See entry on this page at § protein" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">proteins</span></a> and <a href="#nucleic_acid"><span title="See entry on this page at § nucleic acid" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">nucleic acids</span></a>, how they acquire the structures they have, and how alterations in their structures affect their function.</dd> <dt id="symbiogenesis"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Symbiogenesis" title="Symbiogenesis">symbiogenesis</a></dfn></dt> <dd>See <i><a href="#endosymbiotic_theory"><span title="See entry on this page at § endosymbiotic theory" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">endosymbiotic theory</span></a></i>.</dd> <dt id="symbiont"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Symbiont" class="mw-redirect" title="Symbiont">symbiont</a></dfn></dt> <dd>Any <a href="#organism"><span title="See entry on this page at § organism" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">organism</span></a> involved in any type of <a href="#symbiosis"><span title="See entry on this page at § symbiosis" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">symbiosis</span></a> with another organism, either of the same or a different species.</dd> <dt id="symbiosis"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Symbiosis" title="Symbiosis">symbiosis</a></dfn></dt> <dd>Any close and long-term interaction between two different biological <a href="#organism"><span title="See entry on this page at § organism" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">organisms</span></a>, regardless of the nature or degree of the effect on either organism. Examples include <a href="#mutualism"><span title="See entry on this page at § mutualism" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">mutualism</span></a>, <a href="#commensalism"><span title="See entry on this page at § commensalism" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">commensalism</span></a>, and <a href="#parasitism"><span title="See entry on this page at § parasitism" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">parasitism</span></a>.</dd> <dt id="synthetic_biology"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Synthetic_biology" title="Synthetic biology">synthetic biology</a></dfn></dt> <dd>An interdisciplinary branch of biology and engineering combining various disciplines from within these domains, including <a href="#biotechnology"><span title="See entry on this page at § biotechnology" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">biotechnology</span></a>, <a href="#evolutionary_biology"><span title="See entry on this page at § evolutionary biology" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">evolutionary biology</span></a>, <a href="#molecular_biology"><span title="See entry on this page at § molecular biology" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">molecular biology</span></a>, <a href="#systems_biology"><span title="See entry on this page at § systems biology" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">systems biology</span></a>, <a href="#biophysics"><span title="See entry on this page at § biophysics" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">biophysics</span></a>, computer engineering, and <a href="/wiki/Genetic_engineering" title="Genetic engineering">genetic engineering</a>.</dd> <dt id="systematics"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Systematics" title="Systematics">systematics</a></dfn></dt> <dd>The scientific study of <a href="#biodiversity"><span title="See entry on this page at § biodiversity" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">biodiversity</span></a>. It is concerned with the discovering and naming of new <a href="#species"><span title="See entry on this page at § species" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">species</span></a> of organisms (nomenclature) and arranging these <a href="#taxa"><span title="See entry on this page at § taxa" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">taxa</span></a> into classification schemes (<a href="#taxonomy"><span title="See entry on this page at § taxonomy" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">taxonomy</span></a>). A large part of modern systematics is concerned with understanding the evolutionary relationships between various taxa (<a href="#phylogenetics"><span title="See entry on this page at § phylogenetics" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">phylogenetics</span></a>) using methods of <a href="#comparative_biology"><span title="See entry on this page at § comparative biology" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">comparative biology</span></a> (e.g. <a href="#physiology"><span title="See entry on this page at § physiology" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">physiology</span></a>, behavior, biochemistry, <a href="#morphology"><span title="See entry on this page at § morphology" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">morphology</span></a>, <a href="#genetics"><span title="See entry on this page at § genetics" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">genetics</span></a>) and statistical analysis.</dd> <dt id="systems_biology"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Systems_biology" title="Systems biology">systems biology</a></dfn></dt> <dd>A branch of biology concerned with the computational and mathematical analysis of complex <a href="#biological_system"><span title="See entry on this page at § biological system" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">biological systems</span></a>. It is an interdisciplinary field which combines elements of <a href="/wiki/Systems_theory" title="Systems theory">systems theory</a> and <a href="/wiki/Applied_mathematics" title="Applied mathematics">applied mathematics</a> with <a href="/wiki/Theoretical_biology" class="mw-redirect" title="Theoretical biology">theoretical biology</a>, with a primary aim to discover and model the <a href="/wiki/Emergent_properties" class="mw-redirect" title="Emergent properties">emergent properties</a> of interacting biological entities.</dd> </dl> <div class="noprint" style="text-align:center;"><div role="navigation" id="toc" class="toc plainlinks" aria-labelledby="tocheading" style="margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto; text-align:left;"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1129693374"><div class="hlist"> <div id="toctitle" class="toctitle" style="text-align:center;display:inline-block;"><span id="tocheading" style="font-weight:bold;">Contents: </span></div> <div style="margin:auto; display:inline-block;"> <ul><li><a href="#0–9">0–9</a></li> <li><a href="#A">A</a></li> <li><a href="#B">B</a></li> <li><a href="#C">C</a></li> <li><a href="#D">D</a></li> <li><a href="#E">E</a></li> <li><a href="#F">F</a></li> <li><a href="#G">G</a></li> <li><a href="#H">H</a></li> <li><a href="#I">I</a></li> <li><a href="#J">J</a></li> <li><a href="#K">K</a></li> <li><a href="#L">L</a></li> <li><a href="#M">M</a></li> <li><a href="#N">N</a></li> <li><a href="#O">O</a></li> <li><a href="#P">P</a></li> <li><a href="#Q">Q</a></li> <li><a href="#R">R</a></li> <li><a href="#S">S</a></li> <li><a href="#T">T</a></li> <li><a href="#U">U</a></li> <li><a href="#V">V</a></li> <li><a href="#W">W</a></li> <li><a href="#X">X</a></li> <li><a href="#Y">Y</a></li> <li><a href="#Z">Z</a></li> <li><a href="#See_also">See also</a></li> <li><a href="#References">References</a></li> <li><a href="#External_links">External links</a></li></ul> </div></div></div></div> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="T">T</h2><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Glossary_of_biology&action=edit&section=19" title="Edit section: T"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1228772891"> <dl class="glossary"> <dt id="t_cell"><dfn><a href="/wiki/T_cell" title="T cell">T cell</a></dfn></dt> <dd>A type of <a href="/wiki/Lymphocyte" title="Lymphocyte">lymphocyte</a> that plays a central role in cell-mediated <a href="#immunity"><span title="See entry on this page at § immunity" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">immunity</span></a>.</dd> <dt id="taxon"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Taxon" title="Taxon">taxon</a></dfn></dt><span class="anchor" id="taxa"></span> <p class="glossary-hatnote"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1236090951"><span role="note" class="hatnote navigation-not-searchable selfref"><i>(pl.)</i> <b>taxa</b></span></p> <dd>A group of one or more populations of an <a href="#organism"><span title="See entry on this page at § organism" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">organism</span></a> or organisms used by <a href="#taxonomy"><span title="See entry on this page at § taxonomy" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">taxonomists</span></a> to classify organisms into discrete, convenient, and identifiable units.</dd> <dt id="taxonomy"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Taxonomy_(biology)" title="Taxonomy (biology)">taxonomy</a></dfn></dt> <dd></dd> <dt id="telophase"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Telophase" title="Telophase">telophase</a></dfn></dt> <dd></dd> <dt id="testosterone"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Testosterone" title="Testosterone">testosterone</a></dfn></dt> <dd>The primary male sex <a href="#hormone"><span title="See entry on this page at § hormone" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">hormone</span></a> and an anabolic <a href="#steroid"><span title="See entry on this page at § steroid" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">steroid</span></a>.</dd> <dt id="thymine"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Thymine" title="Thymine">thymine</a></dfn></dt> <dd>One of the four <a href="#nucleobase"><span title="See entry on this page at § nucleobase" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">nucleobases</span></a> used in the nucleic acid <a href="#dna"><span title="See entry on this page at § DNA" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">DNA</span></a> (but not in <a href="#rna"><span title="See entry on this page at § RNA" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">RNA</span></a>). It is represented in DNA sequences by the letter <i>T</i>.</dd> <dt id="tissue"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Tissue_(biology)" title="Tissue (biology)">tissue</a></dfn></dt> <dd></dd> <dt id="trait"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Phenotypic_trait" title="Phenotypic trait">trait</a></dfn></dt> <dd></dd> <dt id="transcription"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Transcription_(genetics)" class="mw-redirect" title="Transcription (genetics)">transcription</a></dfn></dt> <dd>The first step of <a href="/wiki/Gene_expression" title="Gene expression">gene expression</a>, in which a particular segment of <a href="#dna"><span title="See entry on this page at § DNA" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">DNA</span></a> is copied into <a href="#rna"><span title="See entry on this page at § RNA" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">RNA</span></a> by the enzyme <a href="/wiki/RNA_polymerase" title="RNA polymerase">RNA polymerase</a>. Both RNA and DNA are <a href="#nucleic_acid"><span title="See entry on this page at § nucleic acid" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">nucleic acids</span></a>, which use complementary <a href="/wiki/Base_pairing" class="mw-redirect" title="Base pairing">base pairs</a> of <a href="#nucleotide"><span title="See entry on this page at § nucleotide" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">nucleotides</span></a> as a common language.</dd> <dt id="translation"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Translation_(biology)" title="Translation (biology)">translation</a></dfn></dt> <dd>The process by which <a href="#ribosome"><span title="See entry on this page at § ribosome" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">ribosomes</span></a> in the <a href="#cytoplasm"><span title="See entry on this page at § cytoplasm" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">cytoplasm</span></a> or <a href="#endoplasmic_reticulum"><span title="See entry on this page at § endoplasmic reticulum" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">endoplasmic reticulum</span></a> synthesize <a href="#protein"><span title="See entry on this page at § protein" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">proteins</span></a> following the <a href="#transcription"><span title="See entry on this page at § transcription" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">transcription</span></a> of <a href="#dna"><span title="See entry on this page at § DNA" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">DNA</span></a> to <a href="#rna"><span title="See entry on this page at § RNA" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">RNA</span></a> in the cell's nucleus.</dd> <dt id="trophic_level"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Trophic_level" title="Trophic level">trophic level</a></dfn></dt> <dd>The position an organism occupies in a <a href="#food_chain"><span title="See entry on this page at § food chain" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">food chain</span></a>.</dd> <dt id="tumor"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Tumor" class="mw-redirect" title="Tumor">tumor</a></dfn></dt> <p class="glossary-hatnote"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1236090951"><span role="note" class="hatnote navigation-not-searchable selfref">Also called a <b>neoplasm</b>.</span></p> <dd></dd> </dl> <div class="noprint" style="text-align:center;"><div role="navigation" id="toc" class="toc plainlinks" aria-labelledby="tocheading" style="margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto; text-align:left;"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1129693374"><div class="hlist"> <div id="toctitle" class="toctitle" style="text-align:center;display:inline-block;"><span id="tocheading" style="font-weight:bold;">Contents: </span></div> <div style="margin:auto; display:inline-block;"> <ul><li><a href="#0–9">0–9</a></li> <li><a href="#A">A</a></li> <li><a href="#B">B</a></li> <li><a href="#C">C</a></li> <li><a href="#D">D</a></li> <li><a href="#E">E</a></li> <li><a href="#F">F</a></li> <li><a href="#G">G</a></li> <li><a href="#H">H</a></li> <li><a href="#I">I</a></li> <li><a href="#J">J</a></li> <li><a href="#K">K</a></li> <li><a href="#L">L</a></li> <li><a href="#M">M</a></li> <li><a href="#N">N</a></li> <li><a href="#O">O</a></li> <li><a href="#P">P</a></li> <li><a href="#Q">Q</a></li> <li><a href="#R">R</a></li> <li><a href="#S">S</a></li> <li><a href="#T">T</a></li> <li><a href="#U">U</a></li> <li><a href="#V">V</a></li> <li><a href="#W">W</a></li> <li><a href="#X">X</a></li> <li><a href="#Y">Y</a></li> <li><a href="#Z">Z</a></li> <li><a href="#See_also">See also</a></li> <li><a href="#References">References</a></li> <li><a href="#External_links">External links</a></li></ul> </div></div></div></div> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="U">U</h2><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Glossary_of_biology&action=edit&section=20" title="Edit section: U"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1228772891"> <dl class="glossary"> <dt id="uncoating"><dfn><a href="/w/index.php?title=Uncoating_organism&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Uncoating organism (page does not exist)">uncoating</a></dfn></dt> <dd>The decomposition of a viral capsid. An informal and simplified description of the way a virus infectious material enters the cell, usually appearing in light science material for the general public. </dd> <dt id="unicellular"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Unicellular_organism" title="Unicellular organism">unicellular</a></dfn></dt> <dd>Having or consisting of only one <a href="#cell"><span title="See entry on this page at § cell" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">cell</span></a>, as opposed to being <a href="#multicellular"><span title="See entry on this page at § multicellular" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">multicellular</span></a>.</dd> <dt id="uracil"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Uracil" title="Uracil">uracil</a></dfn></dt> <dd>One of the four nucleobases in the <a href="#nucleic_acid"><span title="See entry on this page at § nucleic acid" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">nucleic acid</span></a> of <a href="#rna"><span title="See entry on this page at § RNA" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">RNA</span></a> that are represented by the letters A, G, C and U.</dd> <dt id="urea"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Urea" title="Urea">urea</a></dfn></dt> <dd>An <a href="/wiki/Organic_compound" title="Organic compound">organic</a> compound with chemical formula CO(NH2)2.</dd> <dt id="urine"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Urine" title="Urine">urine</a></dfn></dt> <dd>A liquid byproduct of <a href="#metabolism"><span title="See entry on this page at § metabolism" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">metabolism</span></a> in humans and in many animals.</dd> <dt id="uterus"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Uterus" title="Uterus">uterus</a></dfn></dt> <dd>A major female hormone-responsive secondary sex organ of the <a href="/wiki/Reproductive_system" title="Reproductive system">reproductive system</a> in humans and most other <a href="/wiki/Mammal" title="Mammal">mammals</a>.</dd> </dl> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="V">V</h2><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Glossary_of_biology&action=edit&section=21" title="Edit section: V"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1228772891"> <dl class="glossary"> <dt id="vacuole"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Vacuole" title="Vacuole">vacuole</a></dfn></dt> <dd>A membrane-bound <a href="#organelle"><span title="See entry on this page at § organelle" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">organelle</span></a> which is present in all plant and fungal cells and some protist, animal, and bacterial cells.</dd> <dt id="vasodilation"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Vasodilation" title="Vasodilation">vasodilation</a></dfn></dt> <dd>The widening of blood vessels.</dd> <dt id="vector"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Vector_(epidemiology)" class="mw-redirect" title="Vector (epidemiology)">vector</a></dfn></dt> <dd></dd> <dt id="vegetative_reproduction"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Vegetative_reproduction" title="Vegetative reproduction">vegetative reproduction</a></dfn></dt> <dd>Any type of <a href="#asexual_reproduction"><span title="See entry on this page at § asexual reproduction" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">asexual reproduction</span></a> performed by an organism which is nonetheless capable of <a href="#sexual_reproduction"><span title="See entry on this page at § sexual reproduction" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">sexual reproduction</span></a>. The term is used primarily for <a href="#plant"><span title="See entry on this page at § plant" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">plants</span></a>.</dd> <dt id="vertebrate"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Vertebrate" title="Vertebrate">vertebrate</a></dfn></dt> <dd></dd> <dt id="vesicle"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Vesicle_(biology_and_chemistry)" title="Vesicle (biology and chemistry)">vesicle</a></dfn></dt> <dd>A small structure within or sometimes external to a <a href="#cell"><span title="See entry on this page at § cell" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">cell</span></a>, consisting of fluid enclosed by a lipid <a href="/wiki/Bilayer" title="Bilayer">bilayer</a>.</dd> <dt id="vestigiality"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Vestigiality" title="Vestigiality">vestigiality</a></dfn></dt> <dd>The retention during the process of <a href="#evolution"><span title="See entry on this page at § evolution" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">evolution</span></a> of genetically determined structures or attributes that have lost some or all of their ancestral function in a given <a href="#species"><span title="See entry on this page at § species" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">species</span></a>.</dd> <dt id="virology"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Virology" title="Virology">virology</a></dfn></dt> <dd>The branch of biology that studies <a href="#virus"><span title="See entry on this page at § virus" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">viruses</span></a>.</dd> <dt id="virus"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Virus" title="Virus">virus</a></dfn></dt> <dd>A submicroscopic, infectious, <a href="#parasite"><span title="See entry on this page at § parasite" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">parasitic</span></a> particle of genetic material contained in a protein coat and which replicates only inside the living cell of a <a href="#host"><span title="See entry on this page at § host" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">host</span></a> organism.</dd> </dl> <div class="noprint" style="text-align:center;"><div role="navigation" id="toc" class="toc plainlinks" aria-labelledby="tocheading" style="margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto; text-align:left;"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1129693374"><div class="hlist"> <div id="toctitle" class="toctitle" style="text-align:center;display:inline-block;"><span id="tocheading" style="font-weight:bold;">Contents: </span></div> <div style="margin:auto; display:inline-block;"> <ul><li><a href="#0–9">0–9</a></li> <li><a href="#A">A</a></li> <li><a href="#B">B</a></li> <li><a href="#C">C</a></li> <li><a href="#D">D</a></li> <li><a href="#E">E</a></li> <li><a href="#F">F</a></li> <li><a href="#G">G</a></li> <li><a href="#H">H</a></li> <li><a href="#I">I</a></li> <li><a href="#J">J</a></li> <li><a href="#K">K</a></li> <li><a href="#L">L</a></li> <li><a href="#M">M</a></li> <li><a href="#N">N</a></li> <li><a href="#O">O</a></li> <li><a href="#P">P</a></li> <li><a href="#Q">Q</a></li> <li><a href="#R">R</a></li> <li><a href="#S">S</a></li> <li><a href="#T">T</a></li> <li><a href="#U">U</a></li> <li><a href="#V">V</a></li> <li><a href="#W">W</a></li> <li><a href="#X">X</a></li> <li><a href="#Y">Y</a></li> <li><a href="#Z">Z</a></li> <li><a href="#See_also">See also</a></li> <li><a href="#References">References</a></li> <li><a href="#External_links">External links</a></li></ul> </div></div></div></div> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="W">W</h2><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Glossary_of_biology&action=edit&section=22" title="Edit section: W"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1228772891"> <dl class="glossary"> <dt id="white_blood_cell"><dfn><a href="/wiki/White_blood_cell" title="White blood cell">white blood cell</a></dfn></dt> <dd>See <i><a href="#leukocyte"><span title="See entry on this page at § leukocyte" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">leukocyte</span></a></i>.</dd> <dt id="whole_genome_sequencing"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Whole_genome_sequencing" title="Whole genome sequencing">whole genome sequencing</a></dfn></dt> <dd>The process of determining the complete <a href="#dna"><span title="See entry on this page at § DNA" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">DNA</span></a> sequence of a particular organism's entire <a href="#genome"><span title="See entry on this page at § genome" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">genome</span></a> at a single time.</dd> <dt id="wood"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Wood" title="Wood">wood</a></dfn></dt> <dd>The inner layer of the stems of woody <a href="#plant"><span title="See entry on this page at § plant" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">plants</span></a> such as trees and shrubs, composed of <a href="#xylem"><span title="See entry on this page at § xylem" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">xylem</span></a>.</dd> </dl> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="X">X</h2><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Glossary_of_biology&action=edit&section=23" title="Edit section: X"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1228772891"> <dl class="glossary"> <dt id="xanthophyll"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Xanthophyll" title="Xanthophyll">xanthophyll</a></dfn></dt> <dd>A yellow-colored <a href="#photosynthesis"><span title="See entry on this page at § photosynthesis" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">photosynthetic</span></a> pigment.</dd> <dt id="xylem"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Xylem" title="Xylem">xylem</a></dfn></dt> <dd>A type of plant tissue responsible for the transport of water from roots to aerial parts of the plant.</dd> </dl> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="Y">Y</h2><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Glossary_of_biology&action=edit&section=24" title="Edit section: Y"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1228772891"> <dl class="glossary"> <dt id="yolk"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Yolk" title="Yolk">yolk</a></dfn></dt> <dd>The nutrient-bearing portion of the egg whose primary function is to supply food for the development of the <a href="#embryo"><span title="See entry on this page at § embryo" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">embryo</span></a>.</dd> </dl> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="Z">Z</h2><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Glossary_of_biology&action=edit&section=25" title="Edit section: Z"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1228772891"> <dl class="glossary"> <dt id="zoology"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Zoology" title="Zoology">zoology</a></dfn></dt> <dd>The branch of biology that studies the <a href="#animal"><span title="See entry on this page at § animal" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">animal</span></a> kingdom, including the <a href="/wiki/Structure" title="Structure">structure</a>, <a href="/wiki/Embryology" title="Embryology">embryology</a>, <a href="#evolution"><span title="See entry on this page at § evolution" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">evolution</span></a>, <a href="/wiki/Scientific_classification" class="mw-redirect" title="Scientific classification">classification</a>, habits, and geographical distribution of all animals, both living and extinct, and how they interact with their <a href="#ecosystem"><span title="See entry on this page at § ecosystem" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">ecosystems</span></a>.</dd> <dt id="zooplankton"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Zooplankton" title="Zooplankton">zooplankton</a></dfn></dt> <dd>A type of <a href="#heterotroph"><span title="See entry on this page at § heterotroph" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">heterotrophic</span></a> (sometimes <a href="/wiki/Detritivore" title="Detritivore">detritivorous</a>) <a href="/wiki/Plankton" title="Plankton">plankton</a>, as opposed to <a href="/wiki/Phytoplankton" title="Phytoplankton">phytoplankton</a>, which instead obtain energy from <a href="#photosynthesis"><span title="See entry on this page at § photosynthesis" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">photosynthesis</span></a>. Individual zooplankton are usually <a href="/wiki/Microscopic_scale" title="Microscopic scale">microscopic</a>, but some (such as <a href="/wiki/Jellyfish" title="Jellyfish">jellyfish</a>) are larger and visible to the naked eye.</dd> <dt id="zygospore"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Zygospore" title="Zygospore">zygospore</a></dfn></dt> <dd>A <a href="/wiki/Diploid" class="mw-redirect" title="Diploid">diploid</a> reproductive stage in the <a href="#life_cycle"><span title="See entry on this page at § life cycle" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">life cycle</span></a> of many <a href="#fungi"><span title="See entry on this page at § fungi" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">fungi</span></a> and <a href="#protist"><span title="See entry on this page at § protist" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">protists</span></a>.</dd> <dt id="zygote"><dfn><a href="/wiki/Zygote" title="Zygote">zygote</a></dfn></dt> <dd>A <a href="#eukaryotic"><span title="See entry on this page at § eukaryotic" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">eukaryotic</span></a> cell formed by a <a href="#fertilization"><span title="See entry on this page at § fertilization" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">fertilization</span></a> event between two <a href="#gamete"><span title="See entry on this page at § gamete" class="glossary-link-internal" style="border-bottom:1px dashed #86a1ff;color:initial;">gametes</span></a>.</dd> </dl> <div class="noprint" style="text-align:center;"><div role="navigation" id="toc" class="toc plainlinks" aria-labelledby="tocheading" style="margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto; text-align:left;"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1129693374"><div class="hlist"> <div id="toctitle" class="toctitle" style="text-align:center;display:inline-block;"><span id="tocheading" style="font-weight:bold;">Contents: </span></div> <div style="margin:auto; display:inline-block;"> <ul><li><a href="#0–9">0–9</a></li> <li><a href="#A">A</a></li> <li><a href="#B">B</a></li> <li><a href="#C">C</a></li> <li><a href="#D">D</a></li> <li><a href="#E">E</a></li> <li><a href="#F">F</a></li> <li><a href="#G">G</a></li> <li><a href="#H">H</a></li> <li><a href="#I">I</a></li> <li><a href="#J">J</a></li> <li><a href="#K">K</a></li> <li><a href="#L">L</a></li> <li><a href="#M">M</a></li> <li><a href="#N">N</a></li> <li><a href="#O">O</a></li> <li><a href="#P">P</a></li> <li><a href="#Q">Q</a></li> <li><a href="#R">R</a></li> <li><a href="#S">S</a></li> <li><a href="#T">T</a></li> <li><a href="#U">U</a></li> <li><a href="#V">V</a></li> <li><a href="#W">W</a></li> <li><a href="#X">X</a></li> <li><a href="#Y">Y</a></li> <li><a href="#Z">Z</a></li> <li><a href="#See_also">See also</a></li> <li><a href="#References">References</a></li> <li><a href="#External_links">External links</a></li></ul> </div></div></div></div> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="Related_to_this_search">Related to this search</h2><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Glossary_of_biology&action=edit&section=26" title="Edit section: Related to this search"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Index_of_biology_articles" title="Index of biology articles">Index of biology articles</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Outline_of_biology" title="Outline of biology">Outline of biology</a></li> <li>Glossaries of sub-disciplines and related fields: <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Glossary_of_botanical_terms" title="Glossary of botanical terms">Glossary of botany</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Glossary_of_ecology" title="Glossary of ecology">Glossary of ecology</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Glossary_of_entomology" class="mw-redirect" title="Glossary of entomology">Glossary of entomology</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Glossary_of_environmental_science" title="Glossary of environmental science">Glossary of environmental science</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Glossary_of_genetics" class="mw-redirect" title="Glossary of genetics">Glossary of genetics</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Glossary_of_ichthyology" title="Glossary of ichthyology">Glossary of ichthyology</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Glossary_of_bird_terms" title="Glossary of bird terms">Glossary of ornithology</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Glossary_of_scientific_naming" title="Glossary of scientific naming">Glossary of scientific naming</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Glossary_of_speciation" class="mw-redirect" title="Glossary of speciation">Glossary of speciation</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Glossary_of_virology" title="Glossary of virology">Glossary of virology</a></li></ul></li></ul> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="References">References</h2><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Glossary_of_biology&action=edit&section=27" title="Edit section: References"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <style data-mw-deduplicate="TemplateStyles:r1239543626">.mw-parser-output .reflist{margin-bottom:0.5em;list-style-type:decimal}@media screen{.mw-parser-output .reflist{font-size:90%}}.mw-parser-output .reflist .references{font-size:100%;margin-bottom:0;list-style-type:inherit}.mw-parser-output .reflist-columns-2{column-width:30em}.mw-parser-output .reflist-columns-3{column-width:25em}.mw-parser-output .reflist-columns{margin-top:0.3em}.mw-parser-output .reflist-columns ol{margin-top:0}.mw-parser-output .reflist-columns li{page-break-inside:avoid;break-inside:avoid-column}.mw-parser-output .reflist-upper-alpha{list-style-type:upper-alpha}.mw-parser-output .reflist-upper-roman{list-style-type:upper-roman}.mw-parser-output .reflist-lower-alpha{list-style-type:lower-alpha}.mw-parser-output .reflist-lower-greek{list-style-type:lower-greek}.mw-parser-output .reflist-lower-roman{list-style-type:lower-roman}</style><div class="reflist"> <div class="mw-references-wrap"><ol class="references"> <li id="cite_note-1"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-1">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><style data-mw-deduplicate="TemplateStyles:r1238218222">.mw-parser-output cite.citation{font-style:inherit;word-wrap:break-word}.mw-parser-output .citation q{quotes:"\"""\"""'""'"}.mw-parser-output .citation:target{background-color:rgba(0,127,255,0.133)}.mw-parser-output .id-lock-free.id-lock-free a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/65/Lock-green.svg")right 0.1em center/9px no-repeat}.mw-parser-output .id-lock-limited.id-lock-limited a,.mw-parser-output .id-lock-registration.id-lock-registration a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d6/Lock-gray-alt-2.svg")right 0.1em center/9px no-repeat}.mw-parser-output .id-lock-subscription.id-lock-subscription a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/aa/Lock-red-alt-2.svg")right 0.1em center/9px no-repeat}.mw-parser-output .cs1-ws-icon a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4c/Wikisource-logo.svg")right 0.1em center/12px no-repeat}body:not(.skin-timeless):not(.skin-minerva) .mw-parser-output .id-lock-free a,body:not(.skin-timeless):not(.skin-minerva) .mw-parser-output .id-lock-limited a,body:not(.skin-timeless):not(.skin-minerva) .mw-parser-output .id-lock-registration a,body:not(.skin-timeless):not(.skin-minerva) .mw-parser-output .id-lock-subscription a,body:not(.skin-timeless):not(.skin-minerva) .mw-parser-output .cs1-ws-icon a{background-size:contain;padding:0 1em 0 0}.mw-parser-output .cs1-code{color:inherit;background:inherit;border:none;padding:inherit}.mw-parser-output .cs1-hidden-error{display:none;color:var(--color-error,#d33)}.mw-parser-output .cs1-visible-error{color:var(--color-error,#d33)}.mw-parser-output .cs1-maint{display:none;color:#085;margin-left:0.3em}.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-left{padding-left:0.2em}.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-right{padding-right:0.2em}.mw-parser-output .citation .mw-selflink{font-weight:inherit}@media screen{.mw-parser-output .cs1-format{font-size:95%}html.skin-theme-clientpref-night .mw-parser-output .cs1-maint{color:#18911f}}@media screen and (prefers-color-scheme:dark){html.skin-theme-clientpref-os .mw-parser-output .cs1-maint{color:#18911f}}</style><cite id="CITEREFSilverstein2008" class="citation book cs1">Silverstein, Alvin (2008). <i>Photosynthesis</i>. Twenty-First Century Books. p. 21. <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/9780822567981" title="Special:BookSources/9780822567981"><bdi>9780822567981</bdi></a>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=Photosynthesis&rft.pages=21&rft.pub=Twenty-First+Century+Books&rft.date=2008&rft.isbn=9780822567981&rft.aulast=Silverstein&rft.aufirst=Alvin&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AGlossary+of+biology" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-Rajewsky1996-2"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-Rajewsky1996_2-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFRajewsky1996" class="citation journal cs1">Rajewsky, Klaus (1996). "Clonal selection and learning in the antibody system". <i>Nature</i>. <b>381</b> (6585): 751–758. <a href="/wiki/Bibcode_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="Bibcode (identifier)">Bibcode</a>:<a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/1996Natur.381..751R">1996Natur.381..751R</a>. <a href="/wiki/Doi_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="Doi (identifier)">doi</a>:<a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://doi.org/10.1038%2F381751a0">10.1038/381751a0</a>. <a href="/wiki/ISSN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISSN (identifier)">ISSN</a> <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://search.worldcat.org/issn/0028-0836">0028-0836</a>. <a href="/wiki/PMID_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="PMID (identifier)">PMID</a> <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8657279">8657279</a>. <a href="/wiki/S2CID_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="S2CID (identifier)">S2CID</a> <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:4279640">4279640</a>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=Nature&rft.atitle=Clonal+selection+and+learning+in+the+antibody+system&rft.volume=381&rft.issue=6585&rft.pages=751-758&rft.date=1996&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fapi.semanticscholar.org%2FCorpusID%3A4279640%23id-name%3DS2CID&rft_id=info%3Abibcode%2F1996Natur.381..751R&rft.issn=0028-0836&rft_id=info%3Adoi%2F10.1038%2F381751a0&rft_id=info%3Apmid%2F8657279&rft.aulast=Rajewsky&rft.aufirst=Klaus&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AGlossary+of+biology" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-Hardin-3"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-Hardin_3-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFHardinBertoniKleinsmith2015" class="citation book cs1">Hardin J, Bertoni G, Kleinsmith LJ (2015). <i>Becker's World of the Cell</i> (8th ed.). New York: Pearson. pp. 422–446. <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/978013399939-6" title="Special:BookSources/978013399939-6"><bdi>978013399939-6</bdi></a>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=Becker%27s+World+of+the+Cell&rft.place=New+York&rft.pages=422-446&rft.edition=8th&rft.pub=Pearson&rft.date=2015&rft.isbn=978013399939-6&rft.aulast=Hardin&rft.aufirst=Jeff&rft.au=Bertoni%2C+Gregory&rft.au=Kleinsmith%2C+Lewis+J.&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AGlossary+of+biology" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-4"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-4">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFMcKinleyDean_O'LoughlinPennefather-O'BrienHarris2015" class="citation book cs1">McKinley, Michael; Dean O'Loughlin, Valerie; Pennefather-O'Brien, Elizabeth; Harris, Ronald (2015). <i>Human Anatomy</i> (4th ed.). New York: McGraw Hill Education. p. 29. <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-07-352573-0" title="Special:BookSources/978-0-07-352573-0"><bdi>978-0-07-352573-0</bdi></a>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=Human+Anatomy&rft.place=New+York&rft.pages=29&rft.edition=4th&rft.pub=McGraw+Hill+Education&rft.date=2015&rft.isbn=978-0-07-352573-0&rft.aulast=McKinley&rft.aufirst=Michael&rft.au=Dean+O%27Loughlin%2C+Valerie&rft.au=Pennefather-O%27Brien%2C+Elizabeth&rft.au=Harris%2C+Ronald&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AGlossary+of+biology" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> </ol></div></div> <div class="navbox-styles"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1129693374"><style data-mw-deduplicate="TemplateStyles:r1236075235">.mw-parser-output .navbox{box-sizing:border-box;border:1px solid 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href="/wiki/Glossary_of_artificial_intelligence" title="Glossary of artificial intelligence">Artificial intelligence</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Glossary_of_astronomy" title="Glossary of astronomy">Astronomy</a></li> <li><a class="mw-selflink selflink">Biology</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Glossary_of_botanical_terms" title="Glossary of botanical terms">Botany</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Glossary_of_calculus" title="Glossary of calculus">Calculus</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Glossary_of_cell_biology" class="mw-redirect" title="Glossary of cell biology">Cell biology</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Glossary_of_chemistry_terms" title="Glossary of chemistry terms">Chemistry</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Glossary_of_civil_engineering" title="Glossary of civil engineering">Civil engineering</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Glossary_of_clinical_research" title="Glossary of clinical research">Clinical research</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Glossary_of_computer_hardware_terms" title="Glossary of computer hardware terms">Computer hardware</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Glossary_of_computer_science" title="Glossary of computer science">Computer science</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Glossary_of_developmental_biology" title="Glossary of developmental biology">Developmental and reproductive biology</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Glossary_of_ecology" title="Glossary of ecology">Ecology</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Glossary_of_economics" title="Glossary of economics">Economics</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Glossary_of_electrical_and_electronics_engineering" title="Glossary of electrical and electronics engineering">Electrical and electronics engineering</a></li> <li>Engineering <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Glossary_of_engineering:_A%E2%80%93L" title="Glossary of engineering: A–L">A–L</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Glossary_of_engineering:_M%E2%80%93Z" title="Glossary of engineering: M–Z">M–Z</a></li></ul></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Glossary_of_entomology_terms" title="Glossary of entomology terms">Entomology</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Glossary_of_environmental_science" title="Glossary of environmental science">Environmental science</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Glossary_of_genetics_and_evolutionary_biology" title="Glossary of genetics and evolutionary biology">Genetics and evolutionary biology</a></li> <li>Cellular and molecular biology <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Glossary_of_cellular_and_molecular_biology_(0%E2%80%93L)" title="Glossary of cellular and molecular biology (0–L)">0–L</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Glossary_of_cellular_and_molecular_biology_(M%E2%80%93Z)" title="Glossary of cellular and molecular biology (M–Z)">M–Z</a></li></ul></li> <li>Geography <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Glossary_of_geography_terms_(A%E2%80%93M)" title="Glossary of geography terms (A–M)">A–M</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Glossary_of_geography_terms_(N%E2%80%93Z)" title="Glossary of geography terms (N–Z)">N–Z</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Glossary_of_Arabic_toponyms" title="Glossary of Arabic toponyms">Arabic toponyms</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Glossary_of_Hebrew_toponyms" title="Glossary of Hebrew toponyms">Hebrew toponyms</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Oikonyms_in_Western_and_South_Asia" title="Oikonyms in Western and South Asia">Western and South Asia</a></li></ul></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Glossary_of_geology" title="Glossary of geology">Geology</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Glossary_of_ichthyology" title="Glossary of ichthyology">Ichthyology</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Glossary_of_machine_vision" title="Glossary of machine vision">Machine vision</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Glossary_of_areas_of_mathematics" title="Glossary of areas of mathematics">Mathematics</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Glossary_of_mechanical_engineering" title="Glossary of mechanical engineering">Mechanical engineering</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Glossary_of_medicine" title="Glossary of medicine">Medicine</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Glossary_of_meteorology" title="Glossary of meteorology">Meteorology</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Glossary_of_mycology" title="Glossary of mycology">Mycology</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Glossary_of_nanotechnology" title="Glossary of nanotechnology">Nanotechnology</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Glossary_of_bird_terms" title="Glossary of bird terms">Ornithology</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Glossary_of_physics" title="Glossary of physics">Physics</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Glossary_of_probability_and_statistics" title="Glossary of probability and statistics">Probability and statistics</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Glossary_of_psychiatry" title="Glossary of psychiatry">Psychiatry</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Glossary_of_quantum_computing" title="Glossary of quantum computing">Quantum computing</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Glossary_of_robotics" title="Glossary of robotics">Robotics</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Glossary_of_scientific_naming" title="Glossary of scientific naming">Scientific naming</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Glossary_of_structural_engineering" title="Glossary of structural engineering">Structural engineering</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Glossary_of_virology" title="Glossary of virology">Virology</a></li></ul> </div></td></tr></tbody></table></div> <div class="navbox-styles"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1129693374"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1236075235"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1066933788"></div><div role="navigation" class="navbox" aria-labelledby="Biology" style="padding:3px"><table class="nowraplinks hlist mw-collapsible autocollapse navbox-inner" style="border-spacing:0;background:transparent;color:inherit"><tbody><tr><th scope="col" class="navbox-title" colspan="3"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1129693374"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1239400231"><div class="navbar plainlinks hlist navbar-mini"><ul><li class="nv-view"><a href="/wiki/Template:Biology_nav" title="Template:Biology nav"><abbr title="View this template">v</abbr></a></li><li class="nv-talk"><a href="/wiki/Template_talk:Biology_nav" title="Template talk:Biology nav"><abbr title="Discuss this template">t</abbr></a></li><li class="nv-edit"><a href="/wiki/Special:EditPage/Template:Biology_nav" title="Special:EditPage/Template:Biology nav"><abbr title="Edit this template">e</abbr></a></li></ul></div><div id="Biology" style="font-size:114%;margin:0 4em"><a href="/wiki/Biology" title="Biology">Biology</a></div></th></tr><tr><td class="navbox-abovebelow" colspan="3"><div> <ul><li>Introduction (<a href="/wiki/Introduction_to_genetics" title="Introduction to genetics">Genetics</a>, <a href="/wiki/Introduction_to_evolution" title="Introduction to evolution">Evolution</a>)</li> <li><a href="/wiki/Outline_of_biology" title="Outline of biology">Outline</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/History_of_biology" title="History of biology">History</a> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Timeline_of_biology_and_organic_chemistry" title="Timeline of biology and organic chemistry">Timeline</a></li></ul></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Index_of_biology_articles" title="Index of biology articles">Index</a></li></ul> </div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:1%"><a href="/wiki/Biology" title="Biology">Biology</a></th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-odd" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"></div><table class="nowraplinks navbox-subgroup" style="border-spacing:0"><tbody><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:1%">Overview</th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-odd" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Science" title="Science">Science</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Life" title="Life">Life</a></li> <li>Properties (<a href="/wiki/Adaptation" title="Adaptation">Adaptation</a>, <a href="/wiki/Metabolism" title="Metabolism"> Energy processing</a>, <a href="/wiki/Developmental_biology" title="Developmental biology">Growth</a>, <a href="/wiki/Structure#Biological" title="Structure">Order</a>, <a href="/wiki/Homeostasis" title="Homeostasis">Regulation</a>, <a href="/wiki/Reproduction" title="Reproduction">Reproduction</a> (<a href="/wiki/Self-replication" title="Self-replication">Self-replication</a>), <a href="/wiki/Stimulus_(physiology)" title="Stimulus (physiology)">Response to environment</a>)</li> <li><a href="/wiki/Biological_organisation" title="Biological organisation">Hierarchy of life</a> (<a href="/wiki/Atom" title="Atom">Atom</a> > <a href="/wiki/Molecule" title="Molecule">Molecule</a> > <a href="/wiki/Organelle" title="Organelle">Organelle</a> > <a href="/wiki/Cell_(biology)" title="Cell (biology)">Cell</a> > <a href="/wiki/Tissue_(biology)" title="Tissue (biology)">Tissue</a> > <a href="/wiki/Organ_(biology)" title="Organ (biology)">Organ</a> > <a href="/wiki/Biological_system" title="Biological system">Organ system</a> > <a href="/wiki/Organism" title="Organism">Organism</a> > <a href="/wiki/Population" title="Population">Population</a> > <a href="/wiki/Biocoenosis" title="Biocoenosis">Community</a> > <a href="/wiki/Ecosystem" title="Ecosystem">Ecosystem</a> > <a href="/wiki/Biosphere" title="Biosphere">Biosphere</a>)</li> <li><a href="/wiki/Reductionism#In_science" title="Reductionism">Reductionistic</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Emergence" title="Emergence"> Emergent property</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Mechanical_philosophy" class="mw-redirect" title="Mechanical philosophy">Mechanistic</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Scientific_method" title="Scientific method">Scientific method</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Taxonomic_rank" title="Taxonomic rank">Taxonomic rank</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Scientific_theory" title="Scientific theory"> Theory</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Scientific_law" title="Scientific law"> Law</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Peer_review" title="Peer review">Peer review</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/List_of_biology_journals" title="List of biology journals">Biology journals</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Common_name" title="Common name">Common name</a></li></ul> </div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:1%">Chemical basis</th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-even" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Atom" title="Atom">Atoms</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Amino_acid" title="Amino acid">Amino acids</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Carbohydrate" title="Carbohydrate">Carbohydrates</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Chemical_bond" title="Chemical bond">Chemical bond</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Chemical_element" title="Chemical element">Chemical element</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Lipid" title="Lipid">Lipids</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Matter" title="Matter">Matter</a> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Quantum_biology" title="Quantum biology">Quantum</a></li></ul></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Molecule" title="Molecule">Molecules</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Monomer" title="Monomer">Monomer</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Nucleic_acid" title="Nucleic acid">Nucleic acids</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Organic_compound" title="Organic compound">Organic compounds</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/PH" title="PH">pH</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Polymer" title="Polymer">Polymer</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Protein" title="Protein">Proteins</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Water" title="Water">Water</a></li></ul> </div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:1%"><a href="/wiki/Cell_(biology)" title="Cell (biology)">Cells</a></th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-odd" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Adenosine_triphosphate" title="Adenosine triphosphate">ATP</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Cell_cycle" title="Cell cycle">Cell cycle</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Cell_theory" title="Cell theory">Cell theory</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Cell_signaling" title="Cell signaling">Cell signaling</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Cellular_respiration" title="Cellular respiration">Cellular respiration</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Energy" title="Energy">Energy transformation</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Enzyme" title="Enzyme">Enzyme</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Eukaryote" title="Eukaryote">Eukaryote</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Fermentation" title="Fermentation">Fermentation</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Metabolism" title="Metabolism">Metabolism</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Meiosis" title="Meiosis">Meiosis</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Mitosis" title="Mitosis">Mitosis</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Photosynthesis" title="Photosynthesis">Photosynthesis</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Prokaryote" title="Prokaryote">Prokaryote</a></li></ul> </div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:1%"><a href="/wiki/Genetics" title="Genetics">Genetics</a></th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-even" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/DNA" title="DNA">DNA</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Epigenetics" title="Epigenetics">Epigenetics</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Evolutionary_developmental_biology" title="Evolutionary developmental biology">Evolutionary developmental biology</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Gene_expression" title="Gene expression">Gene expression</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Regulation_of_gene_expression" title="Regulation of gene expression">Gene regulation</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Genome" title="Genome">Genomes</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Mendelian_inheritance" title="Mendelian inheritance">Mendelian inheritance</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Post-transcriptional_modification" title="Post-transcriptional modification">Post-transcriptional modification</a></li></ul> </div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:1%"><a href="/wiki/Evolution" title="Evolution">Evolution</a></th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-odd" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Adaptation" title="Adaptation">Adaptation</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Earliest_known_life_forms" title="Earliest known life forms">Earliest known life forms</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Function_(biology)" title="Function (biology)">Function</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Genetic_drift" title="Genetic drift">Genetic drift</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Gene_flow" title="Gene flow">Gene flow</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/History_of_life" title="History of life">History of life</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Macroevolution" title="Macroevolution">Macroevolution</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Microevolution" title="Microevolution">Microevolution</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Mutation" title="Mutation">Mutation</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Natural_selection" title="Natural selection">Natural selection</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Phylogenetics" title="Phylogenetics">Phylogenetics</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Speciation" title="Speciation">Speciation</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Taxonomy_(biology)" title="Taxonomy (biology)">Taxonomy</a></li></ul> </div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:1%"><a href="/wiki/Biodiversity" title="Biodiversity">Diversity</a></th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-even" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Archaea" title="Archaea">Archaea</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Bacteria" title="Bacteria">Bacteria</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Eukaryote" title="Eukaryote">Eukaryote</a> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Alga" class="mw-redirect" title="Alga">Alga</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Animal" title="Animal">Animal</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Fungus" title="Fungus">Fungus</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Plant" title="Plant">Plant</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Protist" title="Protist">Protist</a></li></ul></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Virus" title="Virus">Virus</a></li></ul> </div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:1%">Plant form <br /> and function</th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-odd" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Epidermis_(botany)" title="Epidermis (botany)">Epidermis (botany)</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Flower" title="Flower">Flower</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Ground_tissue" title="Ground tissue">Ground tissue</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Leaf" title="Leaf">Leaf</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Phloem" title="Phloem">Phloem</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Plant_stem" title="Plant stem">Plant stem</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Root" title="Root">Root</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Shoot_(botany)" title="Shoot (botany)">Shoot</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Vascular_plant" title="Vascular plant">Vascular plant</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Vascular_tissue" title="Vascular tissue">Vascular tissue</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Xylem" title="Xylem">Xylem</a></li></ul> </div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:1%">Animal form <br />and function</th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-even" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Breathing" title="Breathing">Breathing</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Circulatory_system" title="Circulatory system">Circulatory system</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Endocrine_system" title="Endocrine system">Endocrine system</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Human_digestive_system" title="Human digestive system">Digestive system</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Homeostasis" title="Homeostasis">Homeostasis</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Immune_system" title="Immune system">Immune system</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Internal_environment" title="Internal environment">Internal environment</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Muscular_system" title="Muscular system">Muscular system</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Nervous_system" title="Nervous system">Nervous system</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Reproductive_system" title="Reproductive system">Reproductive system</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Respiratory_system" title="Respiratory system">Respiratory system</a></li></ul> </div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:1%"><a href="/wiki/Ecology" title="Ecology">Ecology</a></th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-odd" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Biogeochemical_cycle" title="Biogeochemical cycle">Biogeochemical cycle</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Biological_interaction" title="Biological interaction">Biological interaction</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Biomass" title="Biomass">Biomass</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Biome" title="Biome">Biomes</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Biosphere" title="Biosphere">Biosphere</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Climate" title="Climate">Climate</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Climate_change" title="Climate change">Climate change</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Community_(ecology)" title="Community (ecology)">Community</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Conservation_biology" title="Conservation biology">Conservation</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Ecosystem_ecology" title="Ecosystem ecology">Ecosystem</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Habitat" title="Habitat">Habitat</a> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Ecological_niche" title="Ecological niche">niche</a></li></ul></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Microbiome" title="Microbiome">Microbiome</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Population_ecology" title="Population ecology">Population dynamics</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Resource_(biology)" title="Resource (biology)">Resources</a></li></ul> </div></td></tr></tbody></table><div></div></td><td class="noviewer navbox-image" rowspan="4" style="width:1px;padding:0 0 0 2px"><div><span typeof="mw:File"><a href="/wiki/File:Tree_of_life_by_Haeckel.jpg" class="mw-file-description"><img src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/de/Tree_of_life_by_Haeckel.jpg/140px-Tree_of_life_by_Haeckel.jpg" decoding="async" width="140" height="222" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/de/Tree_of_life_by_Haeckel.jpg/210px-Tree_of_life_by_Haeckel.jpg 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/de/Tree_of_life_by_Haeckel.jpg/280px-Tree_of_life_by_Haeckel.jpg 2x" data-file-width="1804" data-file-height="2856" /></a></span></div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:1%"><a href="/wiki/List_of_research_methods_in_biology" title="List of research methods in biology">Research <br /> methods</a></th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-odd" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"></div><table class="nowraplinks navbox-subgroup" style="border-spacing:0"><tbody><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:1%">Laboratory <br /> techniques</th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-even" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Genetic_engineering" title="Genetic engineering">Genetic engineering</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Transformation_(genetics)" class="mw-redirect" title="Transformation (genetics)">Transformation</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Gel_electrophoresis" title="Gel electrophoresis">Gel electrophoresis</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Chromatography" title="Chromatography">Chromatography</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Centrifugation" title="Centrifugation">Centrifugation</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Cell_culture" title="Cell culture">Cell culture</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/DNA_sequencing" title="DNA sequencing">DNA sequencing</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/DNA_microarray" title="DNA microarray">DNA microarray</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Green_fluorescent_protein" title="Green fluorescent protein">Green fluorescent protein</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Vector_(molecular_biology)" title="Vector (molecular biology)">vector</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Enzyme_assay" title="Enzyme assay">Enzyme assay</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Protein_purification" title="Protein purification">Protein purification</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Western_blot" title="Western blot">Western blot</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Northern_blot" title="Northern blot">Northern blot</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Southern_blot" title="Southern blot">Southern blot</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Restriction_enzyme" title="Restriction enzyme">Restriction enzyme</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Polymerase_chain_reaction" title="Polymerase chain reaction">Polymerase chain reaction</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Two-hybrid_screening" title="Two-hybrid screening">Two-hybrid screening</a></li> <li><i><a href="/wiki/In_vivo" title="In vivo">in vivo</a></i></li> <li><i><a href="/wiki/In_vitro" title="In vitro">in vitro</a></i></li> <li><i><a href="/wiki/In_silico" title="In silico">in silico</a></i></li></ul> </div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:1%">Field techniques</th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-odd" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Belt_transect" title="Belt transect">Belt transect</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Mark_and_recapture" title="Mark and recapture">mark and recapture</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Species_discovery_curve" title="Species discovery curve">species discovery curve</a></li></ul> </div></td></tr></tbody></table><div></div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:1%">Branches</th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-even" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"><div class="excerpt-block"><div class="excerpt"> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Abiogenesis" title="Abiogenesis">Abiogenesis</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Aerobiology" title="Aerobiology">Aerobiology</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Agronomy" title="Agronomy">Agronomy</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Agrostology" title="Agrostology">Agrostology</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Anatomy" title="Anatomy">Anatomy</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Astrobiology" title="Astrobiology">Astrobiology</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Bacteriology" title="Bacteriology">Bacteriology</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Biochemistry" title="Biochemistry">Biochemistry</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Biogeography" title="Biogeography">Biogeography</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Biogeology" title="Biogeology">Biogeology</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Bioinformatics" title="Bioinformatics">Bioinformatics</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Biological_engineering" title="Biological engineering">Biological engineering</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Biomechanics" title="Biomechanics">Biomechanics</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Biophysics" title="Biophysics">Biophysics</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Biosemiotics" title="Biosemiotics">Biosemiotics</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Biostatistics" title="Biostatistics">Biostatistics</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Biotechnology" title="Biotechnology">Biotechnology</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Botany" title="Botany">Botany</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Cell_biology" title="Cell biology">Cell biology</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Cellular_microbiology" title="Cellular microbiology">Cellular microbiology</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Chemical_biology" title="Chemical biology">Chemical biology</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Chronobiology" title="Chronobiology">Chronobiology</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Cognitive_biology" title="Cognitive biology">Cognitive biology</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Computational_biology" title="Computational biology">Computational biology</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Conservation_biology" title="Conservation biology">Conservation biology</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Cryobiology" title="Cryobiology">Cryobiology</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Cytogenetics" title="Cytogenetics">Cytogenetics</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Dendrology" title="Dendrology">Dendrology</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Developmental_biology" title="Developmental biology">Developmental biology</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Ecological_genetics" title="Ecological genetics">Ecological genetics</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Ecology" title="Ecology">Ecology</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Embryology" title="Embryology">Embryology</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Epidemiology" title="Epidemiology">Epidemiology</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Epigenetics" title="Epigenetics">Epigenetics</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Evolutionary_biology" title="Evolutionary biology">Evolutionary biology</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Freshwater_biology" title="Freshwater biology">Freshwater biology</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Generative_biology" class="mw-redirect" title="Generative biology">Generative biology</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Genetics" title="Genetics">Genetics</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Genomics" title="Genomics">Genomics</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Geobiology" title="Geobiology">Geobiology</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Gerontology" title="Gerontology">Gerontology</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Herpetology" title="Herpetology">Herpetology</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Histology" title="Histology">Histology</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Human_biology" title="Human biology">Human biology</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Ichthyology" title="Ichthyology">Ichthyology</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Immunology" title="Immunology">Immunology</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Lipidology" title="Lipidology">Lipidology</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Mammalogy" title="Mammalogy">Mammalogy</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Marine_biology" title="Marine biology">Marine biology</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Mathematical_and_theoretical_biology" title="Mathematical and theoretical biology">Mathematical biology</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Microbiology" title="Microbiology">Microbiology</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Molecular_biology" title="Molecular biology">Molecular biology</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Mycology" title="Mycology">Mycology</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Neontology" title="Neontology">Neontology</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Neuroscience" title="Neuroscience">Neuroscience</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Nutritional_science" title="Nutritional science">Nutrition</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Ornithology" title="Ornithology">Ornithology</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Osteology" title="Osteology">Osteology</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Paleontology" title="Paleontology">Paleontology</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Parasitology" title="Parasitology">Parasitology</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Pathology" title="Pathology">Pathology</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Pharmacology" title="Pharmacology">Pharmacology</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Photobiology" title="Photobiology">Photobiology</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Phycology" title="Phycology">Phycology</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Phylogenetics" title="Phylogenetics">Phylogenetics</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Physiology" title="Physiology">Physiology</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Pomology" title="Pomology">Pomology</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Primatology" title="Primatology">Primatology</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Proteomics" title="Proteomics">Proteomics</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Protistology" title="Protistology">Protistology</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Quantum_biology" title="Quantum biology">Quantum biology</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Relational_biology" class="mw-redirect" title="Relational biology">Relational biology</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Reproductive_biology" title="Reproductive biology">Reproductive biology</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Sociobiology" title="Sociobiology">Sociobiology</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Structural_biology" title="Structural biology">Structural biology</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Synthetic_biology" title="Synthetic biology">Synthetic biology</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Systematics" title="Systematics">Systematics</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Systems_biology" title="Systems biology">Systems biology</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Taxonomy_(biology)" title="Taxonomy (biology)">Taxonomy</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Teratology" title="Teratology">Teratology</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Toxicology" title="Toxicology">Toxicology</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Virology" title="Virology">Virology</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Virophysics" title="Virophysics">Virophysics</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Xenobiology" title="Xenobiology">Xenobiology</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Zoology" title="Zoology">Zoology</a></li></ul></div></div> </div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:1%">Glossaries</th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-odd" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li><a class="mw-selflink selflink">Biology</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Glossary_of_botanical_terms" title="Glossary of botanical terms">Botanical terms</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Glossary_of_ecology" title="Glossary of ecology">Ecological terms</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Glossary_of_plant_morphology" title="Glossary of plant morphology">Plant morphology terms</a></li></ul> </div></td></tr><tr><td class="navbox-abovebelow" colspan="3"><div> <ul><li><span class="nowrap"><span class="nowrap"><span class="noviewer" typeof="mw:File"><a href="/wiki/File:Issoria_lathonia.jpg" class="mw-file-description"><img alt="icon" src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/2d/Issoria_lathonia.jpg/16px-Issoria_lathonia.jpg" decoding="async" width="16" height="11" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/2d/Issoria_lathonia.jpg/24px-Issoria_lathonia.jpg 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/2d/Issoria_lathonia.jpg/32px-Issoria_lathonia.jpg 2x" data-file-width="629" data-file-height="445" /></a></span> </span><a href="/wiki/Portal:Biology" title="Portal:Biology">Biology portal</a></span></li> <li><span class="noviewer" typeof="mw:File"><span title="Category"><img alt="" src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/9/96/Symbol_category_class.svg/16px-Symbol_category_class.svg.png" decoding="async" width="16" height="16" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/9/96/Symbol_category_class.svg/23px-Symbol_category_class.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/9/96/Symbol_category_class.svg/31px-Symbol_category_class.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="180" data-file-height="185" /></span></span> <a href="/wiki/Category:Biology" title="Category:Biology">Category</a></li> <li><span class="noviewer" typeof="mw:File"><span title="Commons page"><img alt="" src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4a/Commons-logo.svg/12px-Commons-logo.svg.png" decoding="async" width="12" height="16" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4a/Commons-logo.svg/18px-Commons-logo.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4a/Commons-logo.svg/24px-Commons-logo.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="1024" data-file-height="1376" /></span></span> <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Biology" class="extiw" title="commons:Category:Biology">Commons</a></li> <li><span class="noviewer" typeof="mw:File"><span title="WikiProject"><img alt="" src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/37/People_icon.svg/16px-People_icon.svg.png" decoding="async" width="16" height="16" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/37/People_icon.svg/24px-People_icon.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/37/People_icon.svg/32px-People_icon.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="100" data-file-height="100" /></span></span> <a href="/wiki/Wikipedia:WikiProject_Biology" title="Wikipedia:WikiProject Biology">WikiProject</a></li></ul> </div></td></tr></tbody></table></div> <div class="navbox-styles"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1129693374"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1236075235"></div><div role="navigation" class="navbox" aria-labelledby="History_of_biology_(timeline)" style="padding:3px"><table class="nowraplinks hlist mw-collapsible autocollapse navbox-inner" style="border-spacing:0;background:transparent;color:inherit"><tbody><tr><th scope="col" class="navbox-title" colspan="2"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1129693374"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1239400231"><div class="navbar plainlinks hlist navbar-mini"><ul><li class="nv-view"><a href="/wiki/Template:History_of_biology" title="Template:History of biology"><abbr title="View this template">v</abbr></a></li><li class="nv-talk"><a href="/wiki/Template_talk:History_of_biology" title="Template talk:History of biology"><abbr title="Discuss this template">t</abbr></a></li><li class="nv-edit"><a href="/wiki/Special:EditPage/Template:History_of_biology" title="Special:EditPage/Template:History of biology"><abbr title="Edit this template">e</abbr></a></li></ul></div><div id="History_of_biology_(timeline)" style="font-size:114%;margin:0 4em"><a href="/wiki/History_of_biology" title="History of biology">History of biology</a> (<a href="/wiki/Timeline_of_biology_and_organic_chemistry" title="Timeline of biology and organic chemistry">timeline</a>)</div></th></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:1%">Fields,<br />disciplines</th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-odd" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/History_of_agricultural_science" title="History of agricultural science">Agricultural science</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/History_of_anatomy" title="History of anatomy">Anatomy</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/History_of_biochemistry" title="History of biochemistry">Biochemistry</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/History_of_biotechnology" title="History of biotechnology">Biotechnology</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/History_of_botany" title="History of botany">Botany</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/History_of_ecology" title="History of ecology">Ecology</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/History_of_evolutionary_thought" title="History of evolutionary thought">Evolutionary thought</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/History_of_genetics" title="History of genetics">Genetics</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/History_of_geology" title="History of geology">Geology</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Timeline_of_immunology" title="Timeline of immunology">Immunology</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/History_of_medicine" title="History of medicine">Medicine</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/History_of_model_organisms" title="History of model organisms">Model organisms</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/History_of_molecular_biology" title="History of molecular biology">Molecular biology</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/History_of_molecular_evolution" title="History of molecular evolution">Molecular evolution</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/History_of_paleontology" title="History of paleontology">Paleontology</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/History_of_phycology" title="History of phycology">Phycology</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/History_of_plant_systematics" title="History of plant systematics">Plant systematics</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/History_of_RNA_biology" title="History of RNA biology">RNA biology</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/History_of_zoology_through_1859" title="History of zoology through 1859">Zoology (through 1859)</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/History_of_zoology_since_1859" class="mw-redirect" title="History of zoology since 1859">Zoology (since 1859)</a></li></ul> </div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:1%">Theories,<br />concepts</th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-even" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Germ_theory_of_disease" title="Germ theory of disease">Germ theory of disease</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Central_dogma_of_molecular_biology" title="Central dogma of molecular biology">Central dogma of molecular biology</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Darwinism" title="Darwinism">Darwinism</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Great_chain_of_being" title="Great chain of being">Great chain of being</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Biological_organisation" title="Biological organisation">Hierarchy of life</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Lamarckism" title="Lamarckism">Lamarckism</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/One_gene%E2%80%93one_enzyme_hypothesis" title="One gene–one enzyme hypothesis">One gene–one enzyme hypothesis</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Protocell" title="Protocell">Protocell</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/RNA_world" title="RNA world">RNA world</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Sequence_hypothesis" title="Sequence hypothesis">Sequence hypothesis</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Spontaneous_generation" title="Spontaneous generation">Spontaneous generation</a></li></ul> </div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:1%">Related</th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-odd" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/History_of_science" title="History of science">History of science</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Philosophy_of_biology" title="Philosophy of biology">Philosophy of biology</a> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Teleology_in_biology" title="Teleology in biology">Teleology</a></li></ul></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Ethnobotany" title="Ethnobotany">Ethnobotany</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Eugenics" title="Eugenics">Eugenics</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Dysgenics" title="Dysgenics">Dysgenics</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/History_of_the_creation%E2%80%93evolution_controversy" title="History of the creation–evolution controversy">History of the creation-evolution controversy</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Human_Genome_Project" title="Human Genome Project">Human Genome Project</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Humboldtian_science" title="Humboldtian science">Humboldtian science</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Natural_history" title="Natural history">Natural history</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Natural_philosophy" title="Natural philosophy">Natural philosophy</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Natural_theology" title="Natural theology">Natural theology</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Relationship_between_religion_and_science" title="Relationship between religion and science">Relationship between religion and science</a></li></ul> </div></td></tr><tr><td class="navbox-abovebelow" colspan="2"><div> <ul><li><span class="noviewer" typeof="mw:File"><span title="Category"><img alt="" src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/9/96/Symbol_category_class.svg/16px-Symbol_category_class.svg.png" decoding="async" width="16" height="16" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/9/96/Symbol_category_class.svg/23px-Symbol_category_class.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/9/96/Symbol_category_class.svg/31px-Symbol_category_class.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="180" data-file-height="185" /></span></span> <a href="/wiki/Category:History_of_biology" title="Category:History of biology">Category</a></li></ul> </div></td></tr></tbody></table></div> <div class="navbox-styles"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1129693374"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1236075235"></div><div role="navigation" class="navbox" aria-labelledby="Topics_related_to_biology" style="padding:3px"><table class="nowraplinks hlist mw-collapsible autocollapse navbox-inner" style="border-spacing:0;background:transparent;color:inherit"><tbody><tr><th scope="col" class="navbox-title" colspan="2"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" 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</div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:1%">People and history</th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-odd" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Biologist" title="Biologist">Biologist</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/List_of_biologists" title="List of biologists">Notable biologists</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/History_of_biology" title="History of biology">History of biology</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Nobel_Prize_in_Physiology_or_Medicine" title="Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine">Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Timeline_of_biology_and_organic_chemistry" title="Timeline of biology and organic chemistry">Timeline of biology and organic chemistry</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/List_of_geneticists_and_biochemists" class="mw-redirect" title="List of geneticists and biochemists">List of geneticists and biochemists</a></li></ul> </div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" 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title="History of life">Evolutionary history</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Biosphere" title="Biosphere">Biosphere</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Biological_organisation" title="Biological organisation">Hierarchy</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Biology" title="Biology">Biology</a> (<a href="/wiki/Astrobiology" title="Astrobiology">astrobiology</a>)</li></ul> </div></td></tr><tr><td colspan="2" class="navbox-list navbox-even" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Biodiversity" title="Biodiversity">Biodiversity</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Organism" title="Organism">Organism</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Eukaryote" title="Eukaryote">Eukaryota</a> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Flora" title="Flora">flora</a> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Plant" title="Plant">plants</a></li></ul></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Fauna" title="Fauna">fauna</a> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Animal" title="Animal">animals</a></li></ul></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Fungus" title="Fungus">fungi</a></li> <li><a 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