Dictionary of Biology and Microbiology
By Students’ Academy
Copyright@2011Students’ Academy
Smashwords Edition
A Concise Dictionary of Biology
Introduction
Biology and Microbiology are the two branches of modern medical science which have helped a lot to make human and animal life better on this plant.
There are thousands of words and terms, including parts of the living organisms, which do happen to be beyond the reach of a layman. In many cases it is found that when two specialists happen to be talking to each other, a layman, due to lack of the knowledge of the specialized vocabulary, merely stands like a mute spectator. The situation of that layman happens to be very precarious, though he could be an expert in his own field of knowledge.
This concise dictionary of the words and terms used in Biology and Microbiology provides detailed definitions with appropriate examples of thousands of words and terms specifically used by the experts.
With a little effort, you can make it easier in such precarious situations which are created by the experts.
All the best.
Students’ Academy
Chapter 1: A
Abdomen
The portion located below the ribcage in the mammals is called abdomen, and in arthropods below the thorax. It is the cavity that contains stomach, intestines, etc.
Abscission
The process of shedding or separating part of an organism from the rest of it. Plant parts like leaves, fruits, flowers and bark being separated from the plants are the examples.
Accidental
Species not found under normal circumstances, or it refers to the occurrences or existence of all those species that would not be found in a particular region under normal circumstances.
Acclimation
When morphological and/or physiological changes are experienced by various organisms to adapt or accustom themselves to a new climate or environment, it is called Acclimation.
Active Transport
When cellular substances like ions or molecules move by traveling across the membrane, it is called Active Transport; they move towards a higher level of concentration while consuming energy.
Activity Space
Activity Space is the entire range of climatic and environmental conditions suitable to normal functions, process and activities of a living organism.
Adaptation
It is generally, biologically, the genetic mechanism of an organism to survive, thrive and reproduce by constantly enhancing itself, by altering its structure or function, in order to become better suited to the changing environment.
Adaptive Radiation
Adaptive Radiation is the evolutionary diversification from an ancestral group of organisms, into a number of new more specialized forms, each suited to live in new habitats.
Aerial Behavior
It is a particular type of behavior that deals with communicative or playful behavior. Aerial Behaviour is mostly seen in whales and dolphins when they surface above water to either jump, leap, or just flit across.
After-Shaft
After Shaft is a small supplementary feather, growing from the underside of the base of the shafts of a body feather. It is found in many birds; After Shaft is essential to keep them warm.
Aigrette
Aigrette is a tuft of long and loose feathers used by breeding herons and egrets, during courtship displays.
Air Sac
Air Sac refers to a thin walled air filled structure which is a part of the respiratory system of birds. The air passing through the air sac aids in their breathing and temperature regulation.
Airfoil
Airfoil is a very special structure designed to lift and control the airflow by making use of different levels of air waves. A bird in flight uses the concept of airfoil to control its speed.
Alligator
Alligator is quite broad snouted crocodilian of the genus Alligator found in subtropical regions. Alligator is a reptile and it is known for its sharp teeth and powerful jaws.
Allopatric
Allopatric are the organisms that occur, originate or occupy in separate geographical areas.
Alpha Diversity
Alpha Diversity is a measurement of species richness in a natural unit (specified area) consisting of all plants, animals and micro-organisms in a habitat functioning together.
Altruism
Altruism is generally the intrinsic and instinctive behavior performed towards the welfare of others, sometimes at personal cost.
Alula
Alula is a set of quill-like feathers located close to the base of the primary feathers that play a part in increasing or decreasing the bird’s lift by affecting the airflow of the wings.
Alveolus
Alveolus is a small angular cavity, sac or pit in the body.
Ambulacra
Biologically, Ambulacra generally refers to echinoderm’s five part radial areas (under surfaced side) from where the tube feet protrude as well as withdraw.
Amnion
Amnion refers to the innermost delicate embryonic or fetal membranes of higher vertebrates like mammals, birds and reptiles.
Amniotic Egg
Amniotic eggs are found in a water impermeable amniotic membrane, filled with fluid in the amniotic cavity that can develop on land without dehydrating themselves.
Amphibians
Amphibians are the animals that can survive and live on land as well as in water. Amphibians are vertebrates and cold-blooded.
Amphisbaenian
Amphisbaenian is a long worm-like reptile with a short tail and ring shaped scales that has well adapted itself to burrowing.
Amplexus
Amplexus refers to the mating position of the frogs and toads, in which the female sheds the eggs into the water and the male fertilizes it. Fertilization takes place outside of the female’s body.
Anapsid
Anapsid is an extinct subclass of reptiles except for the turtles that have no opening in the temporal region of the skull.
Anastomosis
Anastomosis is the network of intersecting or connecting blood vessels, nerves, or leaf veins that form a plexus.
Animalia
Animalia refers to the taxonomic kingdom of animals that includes organisms that are Multicellular, eukaryotic (having cells with membrane-bound nuclei) and heterotrophic (require organic compounds for nourishment).