Glossary

		A
		Abductor a muscle which moves a body part away from the midline of the body (ab = off‚ from‚ away; duct = to lead)
		Abiotic a term used to describe a process which occurs outside of the body of a living organism‚ occurring without involvement of a living organism (a- = not‚ without; bios = life)
		Acetyl Coenzyme A a molecule of coenzyme A temporarily bonded to a 2-carbon (acetyl) group remaining from the break-down of pyruvic acid (aceto = vinegar)
		Achene a type of fruit‚ such as a dandelion fruit‚ which “looks like” a seed and does not burst open when ripe (a- = not‚ without; chen = yawn‚ open‚ gape)
		Achilles Tendon the tendon that ends the gastrocnemius (named after Achilles‚ who as a baby‚ was dipped into the River Styx to make him invincible — however‚ the person doing the dipping had hold of his ankle‚ so it didn’t get wet‚ and he eventually was killed after an arrow pierced his ankle)
		Achondroplasia a dominant genetic disorder where the homozygote (AA) dies before birth‚ resulting in a miscarriage‚ and the heterozygote (Aa) is a dwarf (a- = not‚ without; chondro = cartilage; plasio = formed‚ molded)
		Adaptation changes in the genetics of individuals within a population that make them more fit for their environment (ad = to‚ toward; apt = fasten‚ adjust‚ fix; -tion = process of‚ action of)
		Adaptive Radiation the process of a species spreading into and making use of a new environment (ad = to‚ toward; apt = fasten‚ adjust‚ fix; radia = spoke‚ ray‚ radius)
		Adductor a muscle which moves a body part toward the midline of the body (ad = to‚ toward; duct = to lead)
		Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) a molecule used by cells to store and transport energy (adeno = gland; tri = three)
		Adrenal Glands endocrine glands which are located on top of the kidneys and which secrete hormones such as cortisone and adrenaline (epinephrine) (ad- = to‚ toward; renal = kidney)
		Adrenaline hormone‚ also known as epinephrine‚ secreted by adrenal glands which triggers the “fight-or-flight” response (ad = to‚ toward; renal = kidney)
		Aether the incorruptible‚ eternal matter which Aristotle thought composed the universe outside of the moon’s orbit‚ including the sun‚ the stars‚ and the other planets (aether‚ ether = upper air)
		Agglutination clumping of RBCs due to an antigen-antibody interaction (agglutin = glued together)
		Albumin the main protein in albumen‚ found in egg white (albumin = the white of an egg)
		Alcohol an organic molecule with at least one hydroxyl (–OH) group attached (from Arabic al kohl = powder of antimony)
		Aldehyde an organic molecule with a carbonyl group (–C=O‚ but note that the C needs a fourth bond‚ too) attached at one end of the molecule (from alcohol + dehydrogenatum where de- = from‚ down‚ out + hydrogen — recall that the corresponding alcohol would be –CH2OH)
		Aliquot a measured sub-volume of a solution taken used to prepare a dilution of that solution
		Alleles alternate forms for genes (allelo = one another‚ parallel)
		Allelopathy when plants secrete chemicals to retard/inhibit the growth of other plants (allelo = one another‚ parallel; pathos = disease‚ suffering)
		Allogenic Factors causes of succession due to abiotic components (allo = other‚ different; gen = bear‚ produce)
		Allopatric Species species which occupy areas separated by space or time‚ therefore cannot come into contact with each other (allo = other‚ different; patri = fatherland‚ habitat)
		Alluvial Soil water-deposited soil (alluvi = wash against‚ overflow‚ a pool)
		Alveolus the tiny air sacs in the lungs in which gases are exchanged with the blood (alveol = cavity‚ pit‚ socket)
		Amine an organic molecule with at least one amino (–NH2) group attached (amin‚ e‚ o = ammonia)
		Amino Acid a carbon bonded to four different things: an amino group (–NH2)‚ a carboxyl group (–COOH)‚ a hydrogen (–H)‚ and a side chain (symbolized by “–R”) (amine = –NH2 chemical group; carboxylic acid = –COOH chemical group)
		Amniocentesis removal of about 10 mL of amniotic fluid from around a pre-born baby‚ often used to determine the child’s sex or check for chromosomal abnormalities (amnio = a fetal membrane; cente = pierce‚ spear; -sis = the act of; centesis = a puncture)
		Amoeba genus name for one-celled organisms which have pseudopodia and belong to Kingdom Protista; Division Rhizopoda (amoeb = change)
		Amoebic Dysentery disease caused by the parasite‚ Entamoeba histolytica‚ a member of Division Rhizopoda (amoeb = change; dys = bad‚ malicious; ent = within‚ interior)
		Amylase an enzyme which converts starch to maltose (amyl = starch; -ase = enzyme ending)
		Anaphase the third stage of mitosis or meiosis in which the sister chromatids or chromosomes separate and move to the poles of the cell (ana = up‚ throughout‚ again)
		Anatomy the study of body parts‚ their names‚ and locations (ana = up‚ throughout‚ again; tom = to cut)
		Anaximander person who lived from 611 to 546 BC and is credited with the first written work on natural science‚ a classical poem entitled On Nature
		Androgens the collective name for male sex hormones‚ including testosterone (andro = a man; gen = bear‚ produce)
		Aneuploidy having an abnormal number of chromosomes (aneu = without; ploid = set of chromosomes)
		Angiospermae Subdivision of plants within Division Spermatophyta which produce flowers and bear seeds enclosed in an ovary (angio = vessel‚ receptacle‚ container; sperma = seed)
		Kingdom Animalia Kingdom of organisms‚ known as “animals‚” which ingest their food (anima = life‚ breath)
		Antacids chemicals consumed by people to react with stomach acid to change the pH of the stomach contents to a neutral pH (anti = against‚ opposite; acid = sour‚ sharp)
		Anterior front or head end of an organism (ante = before)
		Anther “male” plant structure in which male gametophytes (pollen) are produced and mature (anthe = flower)
		Antibiotic a chemical agent which directly or indirectly kills bacteria in a person’s body (anti = against‚ opposite; bios = life)
		Antibody a chemical produced by B-cells to “tag” foreign invaders (anti = against‚ opposite)
		Antidiuretic Hormone a hormone secreted by the pituitary gland which affects kidney function and prevents water loss‚ the production of which is inhibited by alcohol consumption‚ potentially resulting in dehydration (anti = against‚ opposite; diuret = to urinate)
		Antigens substances on the surfaces “foreign” cells that our immune systems use to distinguish “me” from a foreign invader (from “antibody generating”; anti = against‚ opposite; gen = bear‚ produce)
		Apicomplexa Division of Protista which includes many parasites such as Plasmodium vivax which causes malaria (api = bee or apic = apex‚ summit‚ tip)
		Araceae a family of monocots whose flowers are in the form of a spathe and spadix (from the genus name Arum = “wake-robin” — note that while here in the US this common name is used to refer to Trillium sp.‚ in Britain it is used to refer to plants related to Jack-in-the-Pulpit; -aceae = ending signifying plant family name)
		Aristotle person who lived from 343 to 322 BC‚ and contributed ideas such as the Scala Naturae and the idea that the Earth was round and surrounded by the other spheres of matter
		Asclepiadaceae plant family with milky juice and flowers with a corona and reflexed petals (Asclepius = Greek god of healing and medicine; -aceae = ending signifying plant family name)
		Ascorbic Acid a chemical name for vitamin C — when present in adequate amounts‚ this prevents scurvy (a- = not‚ without; scorbus = scurvy)
		Aseptical without bacteria‚ sterile‚ under sterile conditions (a- = not‚ without; sepsis = rotten‚ putrid)
		Aster microtubules originating around centrioles in dividing animal cells‚ from which the mitotic spindle eventually forms (aster = star)
		Asteroid smaller‚ planet-like objects whose orbits lie between Mars and Jupiter (aster = star; -oid = like‚ resembling)
		Asthma an allergy-induced constriction of the bronchiole muscles‚ thereby reducing the air passages (asthma = panting‚ gasping)
		Atmosphere the gaseous mass (air) surrounding a planet (atmo = smoke‚ vapor; sphere = a ball)
		Atom one particle‚ one piece of an element (a = not‚ without; tom = to cut)
		Australian Realm the biogeographical realm including the continent of Australia and some of the surrounding islands (austr(ali) = southern)
		Autecology the study of the relationship of an individual or a species to its environment (auto = self; eco‚ oikus = house; logy = to study‚ the study of)
		Autogenic Factors causes of succession due to the plants‚ themselves (auto = self; gen = bear‚ produce)
		Autonomic NS the functional part of the NS which controls visceral and cardiac muscles; includes sympathetic and parasympathetic NS (auto = self; nomos = law; autonomos = independent‚ self-governing)
		Autosomes all the chromosomes other than the X and Y chromosomes (auto = self; soma = body)
		Autotroph an organism‚ such as a plant‚ which makes its own food (auto = self; troph = food‚ nourish‚ nourishment)
		Azimuth the distance in angular degrees in a clockwise direction from north (from Arabic as-samut‚ the plural of as-samt = the way‚ direction‚ path)
		B
		Francis Bacon person who‚ in about 1600‚ founded the empirical or experimental method of scientific inquiry and wrote Novum Organum
		Bacteriophage a type of virus that invades‚ lives in‚ and kills a host species of bacterium (phago = to eat)
		Karl von Baer person who‚ in 1828‚ published on the developmental stages in mammalian eggs and showed that an undifferentiated‚ single-celled egg grows into a many-celled embryo
		Barometer an instrument for measuring air pressure (baro = pressure‚ a burden‚ heavy; meter = to measure)
		Bathypelagic Zone equivalent of hypolimnion‚ bottom layer of water in the ocean (bathy = deep‚ high; pelago = the sea)
		Benthic Zone the bottom mud in a lake or ocean (benthos = the depths of the sea)
		Biceps Brachii the flexor muscle on the front side of the upper arm (bi = two; cep = head‚ in reference to the number of attachments; brachi = arm)
		Biceps Femoris the outer muscle on the back of the thigh (bi = two; cep = head‚ in reference to the number of attachments; femor = the thigh)
		Bilabiate having two lips (used to refer to the shape of flowers on plants in the mint family) (bi = two; labia = lip; -ate = to treat‚ to make‚ to form‚ characterized by having)
		Binocular Vision being able to focus both eyes‚ together‚ on an object and process the information to allow for depth perception (bi = two; ocul = eye)
		Biology the study of life (bios = life; -logy = to study)
		Bioluminescence production of light by living organisms (bios = life; lumin = light)
		Biome a major regional biotic community of plants and animals (bios = life)
		Biosphere all the living organisms on Earth (bios = life; sphere = a ball)
		Biotin a B vitamin related to vitamin B2 and formerly called vitamin H (bios = life)
		Bivalent a pair of homologous chromosomes during meiosis‚ also known as a tetrad (bi = two; valent = strength)
		Blastocyst the hollow ball stage of embryonic development (blasto = bud‚ sprout)
		Botanist a person who studies plants (botan = grass‚ pasture)
		Botany the study of plants (botan = grass‚ pasture)
		Brachial Artery artery in upper arm used to measure blood pressure (brachi = arm)
		Brachydactyly shortfingeredness; genetic disorder in which the homozygous dominant genotype is not viable (brachy = short; dactyl = finger or toe)
		Bronchus one of the two main branches into which the trachea splits (bronchus = windpipe)
		C
		Calciferol chemical name for vitamin D needed for proper calcium metabolism (calcium + fer = to bear‚ carry)
		Calcium Carbonate a calcium ion bonded to a carbonate ion (CaCO3)
		Campanulaceae plant family commonly known as bluebells having bell-shaped flowers with inferior ovaries and alternate leaves (campan = a bell; -ula = little)
		Carboxylic Acid an organic molecule with a carboxyl group (–COOH) attached (from carbon + oxygen + -yl = substance‚ matter)
		Carcinogen cancer-causing agent (carcino = cancer; gen = bear‚ produce)
		Cardiac Sphincter ring of muscles between bottom of esophagus and top of stomach to close off stomach (cardio = heart; sphinct = bind tight‚ squeeze‚ strangle)
		Cardiovascular System another name for the circulatory system‚ consisting of heart‚ arteries‚ and veins (cardio = heart; vascul = a little vessel)
		Carnivore animal which eats other animals (carni = flesh; vore = to eat‚ devour)
		Carpels the wrist bones (carpo = wrist)
		Caryophyllaceae plant family commonly known as the pinks because the flower petals have jagged edges as though cut with pinking shears; typically the stems are swollen at the joints (karyon = nut‚ kernel; phyll = leaf)
		Cecum dead-end pouch at the beginning of the large intestine (cec = blind)
		Cellular Respiration the process which occurs within mitochondria in which cells use oxygen to burn sugar for fuel (re- = back‚ again; spira = to breathe)
		Centromere the central region of a chromosome which holds the sister chromatids together (centro = center; mer = part)
		Cerebellum the wrinkled-looking‚ posterior part of the brain (cereb = the brain; -elle = small)
		Cerebrum the large‚ anterior portion of the brain (cereb = the brain)
		Cervical Vertebrae those in the neck region (cervix = neck; vertebra = a joint)
		Cervix the neck or a neck-like portion on another body organ‚ such as the bottom‚ narrowed end of the uterus (cervix = neck)
		Chernozem rich‚ black topsoil with a lower layer of lime (Russian: chernyi = black; zemlya = earth‚ soil)
		Chlamydomonas a genus of single-celled organisms within Kingdom Protista; Division Chlorophyta (chlamy = a cloak; domo = a house)
		Chlorophyll several types of green‚ photosynthetic pigments‚ the chemical structure of which includes a porphyrin ring with magnesium in the center‚ which are found in chloroplasts (chloro = green; phyll = leaf)
		Chlorophyta Division within Kingdom Prostist commonly known as the Green Algae (chloro = green; phyta‚ phyto = plant)
		Chloroplast a photosynthetic organelle in plant and protista cells (chloro = green; plasti = formed‚ molded)
		Choler yellow bile‚ one of the four humors people used to think were present in our bodies‚ and which was thought to be produced by the liver (choler = bile‚ anger)
		Chondrodystrophic Dwarfism a dominant semilethal form of dwarfism (chondro = cartilage; dys = bad‚ malicious‚ hard; troph = food‚ nourish‚ nourishment)
		Chorionic Villi Sampling an invasive means of sampling the placenta to do chromosomal testing during pregnancy (chori = skin‚ membrane; villi = shaggy hair)
		Chromatin organization of the DNA and associated proteins in a non-dividing nucleus of a cell (chromo = color)
		Chromosome a distinguishable unit of genetic material in the nucleus of a dividing cell‚ made of DNA and protein and carries genes (chromo = color; soma = body)
		Cilia many‚ short “hair-like” structures (consisting of microtubules arranged according to the “9+2 formula”) on the surface of some types of cells as a means of locomotion (cilium = eyelash‚ small hair)
		Ciliophora Division (Phylum) of organisms within Kingdom Protista which use their numerous cilia for locomotion (cili = eyelash; phora = bear‚ carry)
		Circadian Rhythm having an activity cycle of about 24 hours (circa = about; dies = day)
		Cis Bond C=C double bond where the attached pieces of the carbon chain are on the same side of the double bond (cis = on this side)
		Citric Acid Cycle another name for the Krebs cycle (citric‚ citrus from citron‚ a tree related to lemons and limes)
		Cladogenesis splitting of one species into two or more species (clado = branch‚ sprout; genesis = origin‚ birth)
		Clavicle the collar bone (clavicul = a key)
		Cline gradual geographical variation in some phenotypic character (clin = slope‚ lean)
		Clitoris female erectile structure that is homologous to the penis (clitor = to enclose)
		Closterium genus of Desmids in Kingdom Protista; Division Chlorophyta which bear a gypsum-containing vacuole at each tip of their cells (closter = thread‚ yarn)
		Cobalamin Vitamin B12 which contains a cobalt atom (cobalt from kobold = goblin‚ demon of the mines — applied to miners who were ignorant of its value and considered it a nuisance in the mines + amine)
		Coccyx four fused vertebrae which comprise the tailbone (coccyx = a cuckoo‚ because it’s shaped like the bird’s beak)
		Cochlea coiled organ in inner ear in which receptor nerve endings are located (cochlea = snail)
		Coenzyme an organic‚ non-protein enzyme helper (co- = with‚ together; en = in; zym = yeast)
		Coevolution evolution of two species totally dependent on each other (co = with‚ together; evolut = an unrolling)
		Cofactor a non-protein enzyme helper (co- = with‚ together)
		Colony Forming Unit (CFU)‚ a bacterium or small number of bacteria which grow into one observable colony on a nutrient medium
		Comet heavenly body with long‚ luminous tail and elliptical orbit (cometa = the hair of the head)
		Complete Flower a term referring to a flower which has all four layers of flower parts (com = with‚ together; plere = to fill)
		Compositae plant family in which flowers are arranged as a “head” (com = with‚ together; posit = put‚ placed)
		Concentration Factor the ratio of initial aliquot volume divided by final volume of a solution (Vi ÷ Vf)
		Conjugation a type of sexual reproduction in which the contents of the male gamete cell go over into and unite with the female cell (con = with‚ together; juga = a yoke; -tion = process of‚ action of)
		Convergent Evolution when sympatric species evolve similar characteristics due to similar environmental pressures (con = with‚ together; verg = to turn‚ bend)
		Nicolaus Copernicus person who lived from 1473 to 1543 and put forth the theory that the planets all revolve around the Sun
		Cornea the clear covering over the front of the eye (corne = horn‚ horny)
		Coronary Artery the artery supplying blood to the heart muscle (corona = crown)
		Corpus Luteum a temporary secretory structure which forms from remains of an ovarian follicle after ovulation (corpus = body; luteo = yellow)
		(Os) Coxa collectively‚ the hip bones (os = bone; cox = the hip)
		Cranium collectively‚ bones of the skull (crani = the skull)
		Crassulacean Acid Metabolism (CAM) process in some plants‚ named after the plant family Crassulaceae‚ in which CO2 is stored in various organic acids for subsequent use in photosynthesis; Crassulaceae is the family to which Sedum belongs (named after the genus Crassula; crass = thick‚ fat; -ula = little)
		Crepuscular when an organism is active at dawn and/or dusk (crepuscul = twilight)
		Cristae the convolutions of the inner mitochondrial membrane (crista = crest)
		Cruciferae plant family in which the flowers have four petals arranged opposite each other in a cross shape and six stamens (cruci = cross; fer = to bear or carry)
		Cyperaceae monocot plant family commonly known as sedges in which the stems are triangular in cross-section (from genus Cyperus = sedge)
		Cytochrome an electron-carrying molecule with a porphyrin ring in its center (cyto = cell; chromo = color)
		Cytokinesis the process of division of the cytoplasm to form two cells (cyto = cell; kinesi = move‚ movement‚ moving)
		Cytology the study of cells (cyto = cell; -logy = to study)
		Cytoplasm the fluid and organelles within a cell (cyto = cell; plasm = formed‚ molded)
		D
		Charles Darwin person who published The Origin of Species in 1859
		Dehydration Synthesis removal of water from two smaller molecules to bond them together into one‚ larger molecule (de = from‚ down‚ out; hydro = water; syn = with‚ together; thesis = an arranging)
		Deltoid the shoulder muscle ( = Greek letter delta; -oid = like‚ form)
		Demographics the study of vital statistics (birth and death rates) of populations (demos = the people; graph = to write)
		Denaturation loss of a protein’s normal three-dimensional shape‚ its native conformation (de = from‚ down‚ out; nata = born‚ produced)
		Denature the process whereby a protein looses its native conformation (de = from‚ down‚ out; nata = born‚ produced)
		Dendrite the “incoming” end of a neuron (dendro = tree)
		Density mass per volume of a substance or solution (g/mL) (dens = compact‚ thick)
		Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) the genetic code material‚ consisting of pairs of nitrogenous bases bonded to a “ladder” of phosphate and ribose molecules (de = from‚ down‚ out; deoxy = without oxygen)
		Detritus partially decomposed leaf litter (detrit = to wear off)
		Dextrose another name for glucose because it rotates polarized light to the right (dextro = right; -ose = carbohydrate ending)
		Diabetes a high blood sugar level often due to insufficient insulin secretion (dia = across‚ through; bainein‚ badis = to go‚ walk‚ step)
		Diadelphous in a flower‚ having the stamens arranged in two bundles or sets by the fusion of the filaments (di = two; adelphos = brother)
		Diaphragm the muscle which draws air into the lungs and separates the chest cavity from the abdominal cavity (dia = across‚ through; phragm = fence‚ partition)
		Diarrhea very loose‚ watery feces; this can be dangerous if too much water is lost‚ causing dehydration (dia = across‚ through; rrhea‚ rheo = flow‚ current‚ discharge)
		Diastole residual blood pressure in the arteries when the heart is relaxed (diastol = standing apart)
		Dicotyledones the Class (in Division Spermatophyta; Subdivision Angiospermae) of plants that have two nutrient storage areas in their seeds (di = two; cotyl = cup‚ cavity‚ socket)
		Digestion the process of breaking food down into molecules small enough to be absorbed by the body (dia- = across‚ through‚ separate‚ apart; gen = bear‚ produce; hence digest = to separate‚ divide‚ dissolve)
		Diluent a substance‚ such as water‚ used to dilute or dissolve another substance‚ thereby forming a solution
		Dilution Factor the ratio of final volume (diluent + aliquot) divided by the initial aliquot volume (Vf ÷ Vi)
		Dinoflagellata a Division (Phylum) of organisms within Kingdom Protista (dino = whirling‚ [terrible])
		Dioecious referring to a plant which has separate male and female flowers on separate male and female plants (di = two; oecious‚ oikus‚ eco = house)
		Dipeptide‚ Tripeptide two or three amino acids bonded together (di = two; tri = three; pepti = digested‚ cooked)
		Diploid having two sets of chromosomes (diplo = double‚ two; ploid = a set of chromosomes)
		Disaccharide a slightly more complex sugar consisting of two monosaccharides bonded together by dehydration synthesis (di = two; sacchar = sugar)
		Disclimax shortened from “disturbance climax‚” used to describe an ecosystem in which the climax community is held at a “lower” level due to repeated‚ unpredictable events (for example‚ maintenance of a prairie area by periodic fires which kill invading trees) (dis = separation‚ negation‚ reversal)
		Diuretic a substance which stimulates the kidneys to excrete more water‚ which promotes urination (diuret = to urinate)
		Diurnal active during daytime (diurn = daily‚ in the daytime)
		Duodenum the first section of the small intestine (duodeni = twelve‚ so named because it was thought to be twelve fingers-width long)
		E
		Ecology the science of interrelations between living organisms and their environment‚ including both physical and biotic factors‚ as well as intra- and interspecific interactions (eco‚ oikus = house; -logy = to study‚ the study of)
		Ecotype a genetic strain of a population that is adapted to the unique local environmental conditions (eco‚ oikus = house)
		Edaphic Climax term used to describe a successional climax at a “lower” level due to existing environmental conditions (edaph = the base‚ bottom‚ soil)
		Edema accumulation of unreturned blood plasma in various body tissues/organs (edema = tumor‚ swelling)
		Ejaculation expulsion of semen (e- = out‚ without‚ from; jacul = throw)
		Electron Transport Chain a system of electron carriers embedded into the inner membrane of a mitochondrion to transfer energy from electrons to O2 to form water (elektron = amber from the electrical charge produced by rubbing [friction] on amber)
		Embolus a moving blood clot which can “get stuck” somewhere and cause problems (embol = inserted‚ a wedge)
		Emigration moving out of a location (e- = out; migrare = to move‚ depart)
		Empedocles person who lived around 490 to 444 BC and thought there were four original elements: Earth‚ Air‚ Fire‚ and Water
		Emphysema rupture and/or coalescing of alveoli‚ with scar tissue formation causing loss of elasticity in the lungs (emphys = inflate)
		Empyema an infection in the chest cavity‚ outside of the lungs (empyema = form pus)
		Endocrine Gland one of the ductless glands which secretes hormones (endo = within‚ inner; crin = separate)
		Endometrium the richly-vascularized lining of the uterus which brings food to a developing baby (endo = within‚ inner; metr = uterus‚ mother; -ium = small)
		Endoplasmic Reticulum the convoluted network of membranes throughout a cell (endo = within‚ inner; reticul = a network)
		Endothermic term used to describe an animal capable of controlling its body temperature internally (endo = within‚ inner; thermo = heat)
		Entamoeba histolytica a parasitic member of Kingdom Protista; Divsion Rhizopoda which causes amoebic dysentary (ent = within‚ interior; amoeb = change; histo = web‚ tissue; lysis = loosen‚ break apart)
		Entomology the study of insects (entomo = insect; -logy = to study)
		Enzymes proteins that act as catalysts (cause other chemicals to react without being part of that chemical reaction) (en = in; zym = yeast‚ leaven)
		Epidermis the outer layer of cells surrounding the body of an organism‚ such as a plant leaf or our skin (epi = upon‚ over; derm = skin)
		Epididymis coiled tubules‚ found within the scrotum‚ that store sperm and are the site of their final maturation (epi = upon‚ over; didym = testes)
		Epiglottis a flap above the larynx which closes to block off the trachea during swallowing (epi = upon‚ over; glotti = tongue — the glottis is a part in the trachea)
		Epigynous term used to describe plants with flower parts (petals‚ sepals‚ etc.) attached above the ovary (so the ovary is inferior) (epi = upon‚ over; gynous = female‚ woman)
		Epilimnion the surface water in a lake or ocean into which light penetrates‚ thus photosynthesis can occur (epi = upon‚ over; limnio = lake‚ marsh)
		Epinephrine another name for adrenaline‚ a hormone produced by the adrenal glands which triggers the “fight-or-flight” response (epi = upon‚ over; nephri = kidney)
		Epipetalous in a flower‚ when the stamens arise from the corolla tissue (epi = upon‚ over; petal = a leaf‚ spread out‚ flat)
		Epithelial Tissue in an animal‚ tissue which coats or lines various body parts (epi = upon‚ over; theli = nipple)
		Equinox the two days of the year — one in spring and one in autumn — when day length and night length are equal (equi = equal; nox = night)
		Eratosthenes person who lived in the third century BC and calculated the diameter of the Earth from the difference in sun angle in Greece vs Egypt
		Erythroblastotic a disorder in which immature RBCs‚ erythroblasts‚ are present in circulating blood (erythro = red; blasto = a bud‚ sprout; -tic = relation‚ belonging to‚ pertaining to the process of)
		Escherichia coli a species of fecal bacteria‚ a normal part of our intestinal flora which makes vitamins K and B-12 for us‚ but some strains of which may cause illness if ingested into the upper GI tract (named after Theodor Escherich‚ a German physician; coli = colon‚ large intestine)
		Esophagus the tube down which food travels from the pharynx to the stomach (eso = within‚ inward; phago = to eat)
		Estivation a short-term (overnight) decrease in body functions (estival = summer)
		Estrous Cycle periodic sexual receptiveness in the female‚ followed by absorption of the unused endometrium (estrus = frenzy‚ passion)
		Estuary an area where fresh and salt water mix‚ such as at the mouth of a river where it enters the ocean — salt concentration of the water is variable (estuar = the sea)
		Ethanol an alcohol made (when yeast ferments sugar) from the 2-carbon hydrocarbon‚ ethane‚ CH3CH2OH‚ present in beverages such as beer and wine and added to some brands of automobile fuel (ether = upper air)
		Ethiopian Realm the biogeographical realm which includes the continent of Africa and nearby areas (ethiop = Ethiopian‚ African)
		Ethology the study of animal behavior (ethos = custom‚ habit; logy = the study of)
		Euglena genus name for organisms in Kingdom Protista; Division Euglenophyta which possess a flagellum‚ a reddish stigma (“eyespot”)‚ and a chloroplast (eu = good‚ well‚ true; gleno = pupil of the eye)
		Euglenophyta Division within Kingdom Protista whose members have a flagellum and a light-sensitive stigma (eu = good‚ well‚ true; gleno = pupil of the eye; phyta‚ phyto = plant)
		Eukaryote organisms whose cells have a true nucleus (eu = good‚ well‚ true; karyon = nut‚ kernel‚ nucleus)
		Euryhaline having a wide range of salt concentration tolerance (eury = broad‚ wide; halin‚ hali‚ halo = salt‚ the sea)
		Eurythermal having a wide range of temperature tolerance (eury = broad‚ wide; thermo = heat)
		Evolution changes‚ over time‚ in the percentages or frequencies of the various alleles of the genes in a population (evolut = an unrolling)
		Exothermic‚ Ectothermic term used to describe an animal which controls its body temperature externally (by basking in the sun to warm up or moving to a shady place to cool off) (exo‚ ecto = out‚ outer; thermo = heat)
		Extensor a muscle which straightens a joint (ex = out; tens = stretched)
		F
		Femur the thigh bone (femur = thigh)
		Fermentation anaerobic conversion of glucose to some waste product‚ including glycolysis plus steps to regenerate NAD+ (fermentum = leaven‚ yeast)
		Fibula the thin‚ outer (little-toe side) shinbone (fibul = clasp‚ buckle)
		Filament the stalk-like portion of the stamen (“male” flower part) which supports the anther (filare = to spin or filium = a thread)
		First Filial Generation the “children” in a genetic cross (fili = son‚ daughter)
		Flagellum one or two‚ longer‚ “hair-like” or “tail-like” structures on the surface of some types of cells as a means of locomotion‚ contain microtubules organized according to the “9+2 formula” (flagellum = whip)
		Flavin Adenine Dinucleotide (FAD‚ FADH) another electron carrier‚ similar to NAD+ (plays a role in the Krebs cycle) (FAD + 2 e- + 2 H+ FADH2; flav = yellow)
		Flexor a muscle which bends a joint (flex = bend‚ pliant)
		Folic Acid a B vitamin noted for its prevention of neural tube defects if taken in early pregnancy (foli = a leaf)
		Fossil the preserved remains of a formerly-living (prehistoric) organism (foss = ditch‚ trench; fossil = dug up)
		Fructose a 6-carbon ketose with the formula C6H12O6 (fruct = fruit; -ose = carbohydrate ending)
		Fumariaceae a plant family (from genus Fumaria) which some botanists consider to be a subfamily within the Papaveraceae (from “fumitory‚” = smoke of the earth — fum = smoke; terra = earth — from the smell‚ formerly used medicinally)
		Kingdom Fungi Kingdom of organisms which obtain their nutrition by secreting chemicals into their environment to digest the food‚ then absorbing the nutrients (fungus = mushroom)
		G
		Gaia Greek Mother Earth‚ “pre”-goddess (Gaia = Earth)
		Galactose a 6-carbon‚ -aldose with the formula C6H12O6 (galacto = milk; -ose = carbohydrate ending)
		Galen person who lived from 131 to 210 AD and is famous for his descriptions of human anatomy
		Galileo Galilei person who lived from 1564 to 1642 and used a telescope to verify the idea that the planets move around the sun
		Gamete a special sex cell‚ such as an egg or sperm‚ with one set of chromosomes (gamet = marriage‚ reproduction)
		Gametophyte in plants and algae‚ the 1n generation which produces gametes (eggs and sperm) (gamet = marriage‚ reproduction; phyto = plant)
		Gastric Juice collective name for the secretions of the stomach lining‚ containing HCl‚ pepsin‚ and other chemicals (gastro = stomach)
		Gastrin a hormone which triggers production of gastric juice (gastro = stomach)
		Gastrocnemius the calf muscle (gastro = stomach; cnemi = legging‚ leg armor‚ part of leg between knee and ankle)
		Gene a unit of genetic information on a chromosome (gene = origin‚ birth)
		Genetics the study of genes and heredity (gene = origin‚ birth)
		Geology the study of rocks and minerals (geo = earth; -logy = to study)
		Glaucous a term used to describe plants which are green with a grayish or whitish “bloom” on them (glauco = bluish-green‚ silvery‚ gray)
		Glucose a 6-carbon aldose‚ a simple monosaccharide‚ with the formula C6H12O6 and widely used by living organisms (gluco = sweet; -ose = carbohydrate ending)
		Gluteus Maximus seat or rump muscle (gluteo = the rump; maxim = largest‚ greatest)
		Glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate a 3-carbon carbohydrate (glycer = sweet + aldehyde — from alcohol + dehydrogenatum where de- = from‚ down‚ out + hydrogen)
		Glycogen a storage polysaccharide found in the liver and muscles (glyco = sweet; gen = bear or produce)
		Glycolysis the chemical process whereby a 6-carbon glucose molecule is split into two 3-carbon pyruvate molecules (glyco = sweet; lysis = loosen‚ break apart)
		Regnier de Graaf person who lived in the 1600s and thought he saw the homunculus in an egg cell
		Gracilis the muscle along the thigh‚ between the legs and used to hold the legs together (gracil = slender)
		Gradualism the theory that organisms evolve by slow‚ constant change (gradus = a step‚ walk)
		Gramineae also known as Poaceae‚ the plant family (in Class Monocotyledonae) commonly known as grasses (gramin = grass)
		Granum a stack of thylakoids within a chloroplast (granum = grain)
		H
		Hamstrings muscles that are the back of the thigh (named after the muscles and tendons in the same location on a pig)
		Haploid having one set of chromosomes (haplo = half; ploid = a set of chromosomes)
		Hematoma local swelling‚ tumor‚ or bruise filled with blood (hemo = blood; -oma = tumor)
		Heme Group a porphyrin ring with iron in the center (heme‚ hemo = blood)
		Hemocyanin respiratory pigment containing a porphyrin ring with copper in the center (heme = blood; cyano = blue‚ dark blue)
		Hemoglobin respiratory pigment in the blood‚ which contains a porphyrin ring with iron in the center (heme = blood; glob = ball)
		Hemorrhage abnormal bleeding‚ usually internal‚ and often profuse (hemo = blood; rhage = to break or burst)
		Hemorrhoids dilated or varicose veins in the anal area‚ often due to difficulty passing feces due to a low fiber diet (hemo = blood; rheo = flow‚ current; -oid = like‚ form)
		Heraclides person who lived from 388 to 315 BC and said that the apparent daily rotation of the heavenly bodies was not due to their motion‚ but rather‚ due to the rotation of the Earth
		Herbivore an animal which eats plant material (herbi = grass; vore = to eat‚ devour)
		Hermaphroditism having organs of both sexes in one body (this term is used primarily with animals — “monoecious” is used with plants) (Hermes = Mercury‚ messenger god and Aphrodite = Venus‚ goddess of love had a son‚ Hermaphroditus who‚ while diving into some water‚ became united in one body with a water nymph)
		Heterotroph organism which ingests other food (hetero = other‚ different; troph = food‚ nourish‚ nourishment)
		Heterozygote an individual with a pair of two different alleles (hetero = other‚ different; zygo = yoke)
		Hibernation a long-term (seasonal) decrease in body functions (hibern = winter)
		Hippocrates person who lived from about 400 to 300 BC and said that the human body was composed of the four elements (earth‚ air‚ fire‚ and water) plus the four humors (sanguis‚ choler‚ melancholia‚ and phlegma)
		Histology the study of tissues (histo = web‚ tissue)
		Holarctic Realm a term used to collectively refer to the Palearctic and Nearctic Realms — the biogeographical realm corresponding to most of the continents in the northern hemisphere (holo = whole; arctic = northern)
		Homeostasis the ability of an animal to maintain a constant internal environment (homeo‚ homo = same‚ like‚ alike; stasis = standing‚ posture)
		Homeothermic the ability of an organism to maintain a constant body temperature (usually because that organism is also endothermic) (homo‚ homeo = same‚ like‚ alike; thermo = heat)
		Homo sapiens the scientific name for humans (homin‚ homo = man; sapiens = wise)
		Homologous Chromosomes the two matching chromosomes of a pair (one from the father and one from the mother) (homo = same‚ like‚ alike; logos = a word)
		Homozygote an individual with a pair of two of the same allele (homo = same‚ like‚ alike; zygo = yoke)
		Homunculus a tiny‚ preformed human which people thought merely increased in size to become a baby (homunculus = little man‚ dwarf)
		Robert Hooke person who‚ in 1665‚ was the first to see and name cells — actually‚ what he first saw was the cell walls that were the remains of formerly-living cork cells
		Hormone one of the body’s messenger molecules which affects the functioning of some other area of the body (hormon = to excite)
		Humerus the bone in the upper arm (humer = the shoulder)
		Humidity water vapor in the air (humid = moist‚ moisture)
		Humor the four fluids of which Hippocrates thought the body was composed (Sanguis‚ Choler‚ Melancholia‚ and Phlegma) (humor = fluid)
		Humoral System the portion of the immune system consisting of B-cells which develop in bone marrow (humor = fluid)
		James Hutton person who lived from 1726 to 1797 and said that land forms can be accounted for by current mechanisms
		Hydrocarbon a molecule made of only carbon and hydrogen atoms (from hydrogen and carbon — note that hydrogen comes from hydro = water; gen = bear‚ produce)
		Hydrochloric Acid (HCl)‚ an acid made from a hydrogen ion and a chloride ion and found in the stomach (hydro = water; chloro = green)
		Hydrogen the first element on the periodic table‚ containing one proton and one electron (hydro = water; gen = bear‚ produce)
		Hydrolysis splitting of one large molecule into two smaller ones through the addition of a water molecule (hydro = water; lysis = loosen‚ break apart)
		Hydrophilic term used to describe substances which stick to or mix with water (hydro = water; philia‚ philios = brotherly love — Philadelphia is nicknamed the city of brotherly love)
		Hydrophobic term used to describe substances which are water-repellant and cannot mix with water (hydro = water; phobia = fear of)
		Hymen a membrane which partially covers the opening of the vagina in a virgin (Hymen = Greek god of marriage)
		Hypanthium in a flower‚ an enlarged receptacle which had grown to surround the ovary (for example‚ an apple) (hypo = under; anthe = flower; -ium = small)
		Hypercalcemia having too much calcium in one’s system (hyper = over‚ above; -emia = condition of the blood)
		Hyperglycemia high blood sugar‚ another name for diabetes‚ due either to not enough insulin being produced by the pancreas or faulty insulin receptors in the liver (hyper = over‚ above; glyco = sweet; -emia = blood)
		Hypertension high blood pressure (hyper = over‚ above; tens = stretched)
		Hypertonic having a solute concentration greater than that of the solution to which it is being compared (hyper = over‚ above; tono = tone‚ tension‚ stretched)
		Hypoglycemia low blood sugar level due to oversecretion of insulin (hypo = under‚ beneath; glyco = sweet; -emia = condition of the blood)
		Hypogynous a term referring to plants with flower parts (petals‚ sepals‚ etc.) attached below the ovary (so the ovary is superior) (hypo = under‚ beneath; gynous = female‚ woman)
		Hypolimnion the deep‚ bottom layer of water in a lake or an ocean (hypo = under‚ beneath; limnio = lake‚ marsh)
		Hypothesis a testable‚ tentative answer to a question (hypo = under‚ beneath; thesis = an arranging)
		Hypotonic having a solute concentration less than that of the solution to which it is being compared (hypo = under‚ beneath; tono = tone‚ tension‚ stretched)
		Hythergraph a graph of temperature vs. rainfall (hy from hydro = water; ther from thermo = heat; graph = to write)
		I
		Ileum the third (last) section of the small intestine ([e]ileo = intestine‚ twist‚ roll‚ twisted)
		Ilium the large‚ flared bone forming the top of the “hip bones” (ilium = the flank‚ loin)
		Immigration moving into a new location (im = in; migrare = to move‚ depart)
		Immune System the system which protects the body from foreign invaders (viruses‚ bacteria‚ cancer‚ etc.) (immun = safe‚ free)
		Imperfect Flower a term referring to a flower which has either male or female flower parts but not both — note that this would‚ therefore‚ also be an incomplete flower (im‚ in‚ ir = in‚ not; per = through; fect = to make‚ do‚ bring about; perfectus = to finish)
		Incomplete Flower a term referring to a flower which is missing one or more of the four layers of flower parts (im‚ in‚ ir = in‚ not; com = with‚ together; plere = to fill)
		Incus one of the bones in the middle ear (incus = anvil)
		Inflorescence a cluster of individual flowers in a specific arrangement on a plant (in = in‚ into; floresc = blooming)
		Inoculate to deliver organisms such as bacteria or protists into a growth medium (ocul = eye)
		Instar an insect or a stage in an insect’s life in between two molts (instar = shape‚ form)
		Interphase non-dividing stage in a cell’s life cycle (inter = between‚ among)
		Interspecific Interactions interactions among organisms of different species (inter = between‚ among)
		Intraspecific Interactions interactions among organisms of the same species (intra = within‚ inside)
		Iris the colored ring of eye muscles‚ behind the cornea‚ that control the size of the pupil (iris = a rainbow)
		Irregular Flower a term referring to a flower which has bilateral symmetry‚ also known as a zygomorphic flower (im‚ in‚ ir = in‚ not; regula = rule)
		Ischium the “bottom” hip bones on which you sit (ischi = hip‚ hipbone; -ium = small)
		Isotonic having a solute concentration equal to that of the solution to which it is being compared (iso = equal; tono = tone‚ tension‚ stretched)
		Isotopes atoms of the same element with different numbers of neutrons (iso = equal; topo = place)
		J
		Jejunum the second (middle) section of the small intestine (jejun = hunger‚ dry‚ empty‚ barren because it was thought to empty upon death)
		K
		Karyotype obtaining blood cells‚ growing‚ staining‚ and photographing them‚ cutting out chromosomes from the picture‚ and lining them up in pairs to check for abnormalities (karyon = nut‚ kernel‚ nucleus)
		Johannes Kepler person who lived from 1571 to 1630 and further refined Copernicus’ concept of a Sun-centered system
		Ketone an organic molecule with a carbony group (–C=O) attached in the middle of the molecule (from acetone; aceto = vinegar; -one = chemical ending for ketones)
		Krebs Cycle the second stage in cellular respiration in which pyruvic acid is converted to CO2‚ also known as the citric acid cycle (named after Hans Krebs)
		L
		Labia Minora the inner set of folds of tissue surrounding the vestibule area‚ part of the external female genitalia (labia = lips)
		Labiatae plant family characterized by lipped flowers and square stems‚ commonly known as the Mint Family (which includes many frequently-used herbs such as peppermint‚ basil‚ lavender‚ and oregano) (labia = lip)
		Lactase an enzyme used to digest the -1-4 glycosidic linkage in milk sugar (lacto = milk; -ase = enzyme ending)
		Lactic Acid a 3-carbon molecule‚ CH3CHOHCOOH‚ which results from lactic acid fermentation‚ gives yogurt its tangy‚ sour taste‚ and is present is sore‚ overworked muscles (lacto = milk)
		Lactobacillus acidophilus one of the main “good” bacteria in yogurt (lacto = milk; bacill = a little stick; acid = sour; philia = brotherly love)
		Lactose “milk sugar” — a disaccharide made from glucose + galactose and found in milk (lacto = milk; -ose = carbohydrate ending)
		Lacunae spaces in which osteocytes or chondrocytes are found (singular is lacuna; lacuna = basin‚ lake‚ space‚ cavity)
		Jean Baptiste Lamarck person who published a theory of evolution in the early 1800s saying that organisms could inherit acquired traits
		Lamellae having layers (such as the concentric rings of the matrix in bone tissue) (singular is lamella; lamell = layer)
		Laminaria a type of brown algae that is a good source of iodine when eaten and is used gynecologically (lamina = layer)
		Larynx the widened area at the top of the trachea‚ which contains the vocal cords (larynx = gullet)
		Latissimus Dorsi the muscles on the back‚ over the kidneys (lat = broad‚ wide; -issimus = superlative ending [“very”]; dors = back)
		Lecithin a phospholipid found in egg yolk (used as an emulsifying agent) (lecithos = egg yolk)
		Anton van Leeuwenhoek person who lived in the 1600s and was the first person to see sperm cells‚ in which he thought he could see a homunculus
		Leguminosae plant family characterized by a pod-shaped ovary surrounding its seeds (peas‚ beans) (legum = something that can be gathered)
		Lens the clear structure‚ behind the iris and pupil‚ that focuses the light on the retina (lens = lentil — because of its shape)
		Leukocyte white blood cells (leuco = white; cyto = cell)
		Leucocytosis an increase in the number of WBCs (leuco = white; -osis = condition of)
		Leucopenia a decrease in the number of WBCs (leuco = white; penia = poverty)
		Levulose another name for fructose because it rotates polarized light to the left (levo = left; -ose = carbohydrate ending)
		Ligulate Flowers irregular flowers with five‚ united petals ligula = strap‚ tongue of a shoe
		Liliaceae family of monocots in which the sepals and petals are very similar in appearance (lily = lily; -aceae = ending for plant families)
		Carolus Linnaeus a Latinization of “Karl von Linné”
		Karl von Linné person who lived from 1707 to 1778 and developed the concepts of scientific names and the taxonomic heirarchy
		Lipid a group of hydrophobic molecules such as fats‚ oils‚ and waxes (lipo = fat)
		Lithosphere the rocky layers that make up the Earth’s crust (litho = stone; sphere = a ball)
		Littoral Zone zone of emergent vegetation in a lake or ocean (littor = the seashore)
		Lobeliaceae a plant family within Class Dicotyledones in which flowers are characterized by two petals up and three petals down (from genus Lobelia‚ named after Matthias de Lobel‚ a French botanist; -aceae = ending for plant families)
		Luciferase enzyme which catalyzes production of light from luciferin (luci = light; fer = bear‚ carry; lucifer = angel of light; -ase = enzyme ending)
		Lumbar Vertebrae the vertebrae in the lower back which are not attached to ribs (lumba = the loin; vertebra = a joint)
		Charles Lyell person who lived from 1797 to 1875 and refined Hutton’s ideas on geological processes and the age of the Earth
		Lymphocyte white blood cells (lympho = water; cyto = cell)
		M
		Macromolecule a large‚ complex molecule (macro = large‚ long)
		Malaria disease caused when the parasite‚ Plasmodium vivax invades and kills RBCs (mal = bad‚ evil; aria = air: people used to think malaria was caused by breathing swamp air)
		Malleus one of the bones in the middle ear (malleus = hammer)
		Thomas Malthus person who‚ in 1798‚ published a paper on sociological conditions in the London slums in which he developed the idea of “survival of the fittest”
		Maltose malt sugar found in sprouting grains (malto = to grind down‚ soft‚ yielding; -ose = carbohydrate ending)
		Mammal an animal‚ such as humans and cats‚ that has fur/hair‚ provides milk for its young‚ and has a four-chambered heart (mamma = teat‚ nipple)
		Mandible the jawbone (mandibul = jaw)
		Marsupial a mammal‚ usually with a pouch‚ whose young are born extremely immature (marsupi = pouch)
		Mechanoreceptors sensory neurons stimulated by physical means such as pressure‚ motion‚ touch‚ or stretching (mechano = an instrument‚ machine)
		Medulla the farther‚ smaller bulge between the pons and the top of the spinal cord (medull = marrow‚ pith)
		Meiosis a special cell division resulting in sex cells with half as many chromosomes (meio = less; -sis = the act of)
		Melancholia black bile: one of the four humors of which people used to think the body was composed and which they thought was produced by the spleen (melano = black; choler = bile‚ anger)
		Melanistic occurrence of an individual with a black phenotype in a normally light-colored species (melano = black)
		Gregor Mendel person who‚ in 1865‚ published a paper which has served as the foundation for our modern understanding of genetics
		Meninges the three membranes covering the brain and spinal cord (sing = meninx; meninx = a membrane)
		Meningitis inflammation (infection) of the meninges (meninx = a membrane; -itis = inflammation of)
		Meniscus the curved surface of a liquid (such as water) in a glass container‚ or one of two crescent-shaped pieces of cartilage in our knee joint (menisc = a crescent)
		Menstrual Cycle cyclical sexual receptiveness in a female of some species of mammals‚ followed by shedding of the unused endometrium (mensa = month)
		Mesophyll the middle layer of a leaf (meso = middle; phyll = leaf)
		Mesopotamia the area between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers‚ also known as Babylon‚ Persia‚ and now Iran/Iraq (meso = middle; potam = a river)
		Mesozoic Era a geological period around 180 mya (meso = middle; zoa‚ zoo = animal)
		Metacarpels the bones in the palm of the hand (meta = between‚ with‚ after; carpo = wrist)
		Metalimnion the middle layer of water in a lake or ocean where light does not penetrate and which has a thermocline (gets colder as it gets deeper) (meta = between‚ with‚ after; limnio = lake‚ marsh)
		Metaphase the second stage of mitosis or meiosis in which the chromosomes all line up in the center of the cell on the metaphase plate (meta = between‚ with‚ after)
		Metatarsals the bones in the arch of the foot‚ the bones that make up the sole of the foot (meta = between‚ with‚ after; tarsus = the ankle)
		Microbiology the study of bacteria and other microscopic organisms (micro = small; bios = life; -logy = to study)
		Microtubules part of the cytoskeleton consisting of hollow tubes made of globular proteins (micro = small)
		Stanley Miller person who‚ in 1953‚ tested Oparin’s hypothesis on the abiotic synthesis of organic monomers on early Earth
		Mitosis replication and division of the chromosomes in a cell (mito = a thread; -sis = the act of)
		Mitochondrion the organelle that is the “engine” of cells where sugar is burned for fuel‚ the plural is “mitochondria” (mito = thread; chondro = grain‚ corn‚ cartilage)
		Mixed Mesophytic Forest a forest area with a variety of hardwood trees (meso = middle; phyto = plant)
		Molecular Biology the study of the various molecules and chemical reactions that take place in organisms (molecul = a little mass; bios = life; -logy = to study)
		Molecule two or more atoms bonded together (molecul = a little mass)
		Kingdom Monera the Kindgom to which prokaryotes such as bacteria and blue-green algae belong (moner‚ mono = one‚ single)
		Monocotyledones the Class (in Division Spermatophyta; Subdivision Angiospermae) of plants which have one nutrient storage area in their seeds (mono = one; cotyl = cup‚ cavity‚ socket)
		Monoecious referring to a plant which has both sexes of flowers‚ both male and female‚ on the same individual plant (sometimes male and female parts are in the same‚ perfect‚ flower and sometimes there are separate‚ imperfect‚ male and female flowers) (mono = one; oecious‚ oikus‚ eco = house)
		Monomer a simple organic molecule‚ such as a monosaccharide or an amino acid‚ that serves as a subunit from which more complex molecules (polymers) may be made (mono = one; mer = part)
		Monosaccharide a simple sugar with one carbon backbone‚ usually consisting of three to six carbons (mono = one; sacchar = sugar)
		Mortality death rate or probability of dying at any given age (mort = death‚ dead)
		Mortar and Pestle a heavy bowl and thick rod used to grind substances to a powder (mortar = the bowl; pestle = the rod)
		Multicellular having a body consisting of many cell (multi = many)
		Mutation a change in a gene (muta = change)
		Myocardial Infarction death of a portion of the heart muscle due to lack of blood supply due to a blocked artery (myo = muscle; cardio = heart; infarct = filled in‚ stuffed)
		Myoglobin a special protein-type molecule used for oxygen storage in red muscle tissue (myo = muscle; glob = ball)
		Myopia being nearsighted‚ not being able to see distant objects clearly (myop = shortsighted; -opia = vision‚ eye)
		Myotonia increased muscle tension (myo = muscle; tono = tone‚ tension‚ stretched)
		Myxomycota Division of Kingdom Protista which includes slime molds (myxo = slime; myco = fungus)
		N
		Natality birth rate (nata = birth‚ born)
		Natural selection the differential reproductive success of individuals within a population‚ the ability of individuals to survive and leave the most reproducing offspring (nata = born‚ produced)
		Nearctic Realm the biogeographical realm that includes North America and Greenland (neo = new‚ recent; arctic = northern)
		John Needham person who‚ in the 1740s‚ claimed that there was a “life force” in the air that caused bacteria to appear by spontaneous generation
		Negative Feedback Loop a control mechanism which works in the opposite direction of the stimulus which triggered it (negatus = to deny)
		Neonate a newborn baby (neo = new; nata = birth‚ born)
		Neotropical Realm the biogeographical realm corresponding to South America (neo = new‚ recent; tropo = turn [of the sun] — the tropics are the area between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn‚ the northern and southern limits of the Sun’s apparent seasonal movement)
		Nephron repeating units which process water and wastes within the kidney (nephri = kidney)
		Neritic Zone the bottom mud in the oceans along the continental shelf (nerit = a sea mussel)
		Neutralize to react another chemical with an acid or a base‚ causing the pH to become closer to a pH of 7 (ne- = not; uter = either; -ize = to make‚ treat‚ turn into)
		Isaac Newton person who lived from 1643 to 1727 and based his laws of gravity not only on the legendary falling apple‚ but also on the motion of the planets
		Niacin Vitamin B3 (nicotinic acid; -in = in‚ into)
		Niche the functional role of a species in its environment‚ including its activities‚ “job‚” relationships‚ and location (nidus = nest)
		Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide an electron acceptor/donor that received electrons from glycolysis and the Krebs cycle and gives them to the electron transport chain (NAD+ + 2 e- + H+ NADH; named after Jacques Nicot‚ the French ambassador to Lisbon who introduced tobacco into France in 1560)
		Nocturnal active during nighttime (nocti‚ nox = night)
		Novum Organum book published by Francis Bacon around 1600 (novum = new; organum = an instrument‚ implement‚ engine)
		Nulliparous condition of never having been pregnant (nulli = none‚ not any; parous = giving birth to‚ bearing)
		O
		Oleaceae plant family commonly known as the olive family; the flowers have four petals‚ but unlike the Cruciferae‚ these have only two stamens (olea = olive tree; -aceae = ending for plant family)
		Omnivore an animal that eats both plants and animals (omni = all; vore = eat‚ devour)
		Alexander Ivanovich Oparin person who‚ in 1936‚ published The Origins of Life in which he described hypothetical conditions necessary for life to have arisen on early Earth
		Optic Chiasma the place where the optic nerves cross to the other side of the brain (opti = the eye; chiasm = cross)
		Organelle the “body parts” within a cell (organum = an instrument‚ implement‚ engine; -elle = small)
		Oriental Realm the biogeographical realm consisting of India and southeast Asia (orient(al) = rising‚ east)
		Osteocyte a bone cell (osteo = bone; cyto = cell)
		Ovary “female” plant structure in which female gametophytes are produced and seeds develop or female animal structure in which eggs form (ova = egg)
		Oviparous laying eggs that continue to develop‚ and eventually hatch (ovi‚ ovo = egg; parous = giving birth‚ bearing)
		Ovoviviparous forming eggs which hatch as they are being laid‚ resulting in apparent birth of live young (ovi‚ ovo = egg; vivi = alive‚ living; parous = giving birth‚ bearing)
		Oxaloacetate‚ Oxaloacetic Acid a 4-carbon chemical used to store CO2 prior to the Calvin cycle in C4 plants (HOOCCH2C=OCOOH) (from genus Oxalis = sorrel from oxys = acid — Oxalis contains oxalic acid: HOOCCOOH; acetic acid is CH3COOH — aceto = vinegar)
		Oxygen element with eight protons (oxy = sharp‚ acid; gen = bear‚ produce)
		P
		Palearctic Realm the biogeographical realm including Europe and northern Asia (paleo = ancient; arctic = northern)
		Paleontology the study of the remains of formerly-living organisms such as fossils and dinosaurs (paleo = ancient; onto = being‚ existing; -logy = to study‚ the study of)
		Paleozoic Era an early geological period 360-340 mya (paleo = ancient; zoa‚ zoo = animal)
		Pangea the name of the supercontinent which existed 180 mya and contained all current continents (pan = all; gea‚ geo‚ gaia = earth)
		Pangene one of the minute body parts thought to have come together to form the homunculus (pan = all; gene = origin‚ birth)
		Panthalassa the one‚ large ocean that surrounded Pangea (pan = all; thalass = the sea)
		Pantothenic Acid a B vitamin which is a component of coenzyme A and is needed to convert choline to acetylcholine (pan‚ panto = all‚ every)
		Papaveraceae plant family commonly known as the poppy family (papaver = poppy; -aceae = ending for plant families)
		Papilionaceous term used to describe something which is shaped like a butterfly such as the flowers in family Leguminosae (papilio = butterfly)
		Pappus a modified calyx‚ for example‚ the “fuzz” in a dandelion (pappos = old man‚ grandfather‚ substance resembling gray hairs)
		Paramecium a one-celled organism which is covered with many cilia (paramec = oval; -ium = small)
		Parapatric Species species occupying adjacent areas which meet at a border (para = beside‚ near; patri = fatherland‚ habitat)
		Parasitism when a smaller organism feeds on a larger‚ to the detriment of its host (weakening or killing it) (para = beside‚ near; sitio = food)
		Parasitoid a parasite that eats its host’s tissues‚ eventually killing it (para = beside‚ near; sitio = food; -oid = like‚ form)
		Parasympathetic NS the functional part of the NS which decreases energy expenditure and stores energy (para = beside‚ near; sym = with‚ together; pathos = disease‚ suffering)
		Parthenogenesis the ability of an unfertilized egg to develop and hatch (partheno = virgin‚ without fertilization; genesis = origin‚ birth)
		Louis Pasteur person who‚ in 1864‚ disproved spontaneous generation in microscopic organisms such as bacteria
		Patella the kneecap (patell = a little dish)
		Pathogen a disease-causing organism (pathos = disease‚ suffering; gen = to bear or produce)
		Pectoralis Major the muscles on the upper chest (pector = the chest‚ breast)
		Pedicel the region of a plant stem below the receptacle (below a flower) (ped‚ pediculus = foot)
		Pelagic Zone the open water in the ocean (pelago = the sea)
		Pepsin an enzyme in the stomach which digests protein in our diets (pepsin = digestion)
		Pepsinogen the precursor molecule‚ secreted by the stomach lining‚ from which pepsin is made (pepsin = digestion; gen = bear‚ produce)
		Peptide Bond a bond‚ formed by dehydration synthesis‚ between the amino group of one amino acid and the carboxylic acid group of another amino acid (pepti = digested‚ cooked)
		Perfect Flower a term referring to a flower which has both male and female flower parts (per = through; fect = to make‚ do‚ bring about; perfectus = to finish)
		Perigynous a plant with an hypanthium surrounding the ovary (peri = around; gynous = female‚ woman)
		Peripheral NS the distant part of the NS‚ comprised of the sensory and motor neurons (peri = around; pher = to bear‚ carry)
		Peristalsis waves of muscle contractions which push food through the digestive system (peri = around; stalsis = a constriction‚ compression)
		Petals the second layer of flower parts; in insect-pollinated flowers these are frequently enlarged and brightly-colored (petal = a leaf‚ spread out‚ flat)
		pH the negative logarithm of the hydrogen ion concentration: pH = –log[H+] (p = negative logarithm of‚ [ ] = concentration of)
		pH Paper test paper which changes color at different pH values (p = negative logarithm of; pH = –log[H+])
		Phaeophyta Division within Kingdom Protista which is commonly known as brown algae (phaeo = dusky‚ brown; phyto = plant)
		Phagocytosis the means by which cells engulf their prey; cellular “eating” (phago = to eat; cyto = cell; -sis = the act of)
		Phalanges the finger and toe bones (phalang‚ phalanx = finger‚ toe)
		Pharyngitis an inflammation of the mucus membrane in the throat‚ a sore throat (pharynx = throat; -itis = inflammation of)
		Pharynx the throat area shared in common by the respiratory and digestive systems (pharynx = throat)
		Phenotype the organism’s expressed traits‚ what it looks like‚ how the genes are expressed (pheno = show‚ seem‚ appear)
		Phenylketonuria a genetic disorder causing inability to digest phenylalanine (uria = urine)
		Pheromone a chemical emitted for communication with other members of the same species (phero‚ fer = to bear or carry)
		Phlegma one of the four humors‚ mucus‚ which people thought was produced by the brain (phlegma = mucus‚ inflammation)
		Phosphate Group a phosphorus attached to four oxygens (PO4) (phos = light; phor = bear‚ carry: the element phosphorus was so named because some forms “glow in the dark”)
		Phosphorus the element with 15 protons (phos = light; phor = to bear‚ carry: the element phosphorus was so named because some forms “glow in the dark”)
		Photoperiodism response to changing amounts of light (daily or seasonally) (photo = light)
		Photoreceptor body part or sensory neurons which are sensitive to light (photo = light)
		Photosynthesis the process of capturing light energy‚ converting it to chemical energy‚ and storing it by manufacturing sugar (photo = light; syn- = with‚ together; thesis = an arranging)
		Phototaxis moving in response to light (photo = light; taxis = arrange‚ arrangement)
		Phototropism growing or leaning in response to light (photo = light; tropo = turn‚ change)
		Physiology the study of the functioning of the various body parts (physio = nature; -logy = to study)
		Pinaceae Gymnosperm family in which the leaves are needle-shaped (pine; -aceae = ending for plant families)
		Pistil a “female” plant part consisting of ovary‚ style‚ and stigma (pistillum‚ pestle = to pound‚ beat)
		Placental Mammal a mammal whose young develop within the uterus and gain nutrition via a placenta and umbilical cord (placenta = a round‚ flat cake)
		Planet a relatively large heavenly body which shines by reflected sunlight and revolves around the sun (planeta = wander‚ wanderer)
		Plankton the small organisms that float around near the surface of the ocean (planktos = wandering)
		Plant Geography the study of the geographic distribution of plant species (geo = earth; graph = to write)
		Kingdom Plantae group of multicellular eukaryotes‚ most of which have chlorophyll and do photosynthesis to make their own food (planta = plant; probably from plantare = to level the ground for sowing; planus = level‚ flat)
		Plasmodium vivax the parasitic member of Division Apicomplexa which causes malaria (plasma = shaped or molded; -oda‚ -ode = like‚ resembling; -ium = small; vivax = lively‚ animated)
		Plate Tectonics the study of the interactions among the plates which make up the Earth’s crust (tecto(n) = carpenter‚ builder‚ roof‚ cover)
		Plato person who lived from 427 to 343 BC and developed the idea of the two worlds; the perfect‚ invisible one and the imperfect‚ visible one
		Pleiotropy the ability of one gene to have multiple effects (pleio = more‚ full; trop = turn‚ change)
		Pleurisy an infection in the pleural membranes lining the chest cavity (pleura = the side‚ a rib)
		Pneumonia an infection of the lungs by the bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumo = lungs)
		Podzol ash-like‚ gray layer of soil over red‚ acidic humus (Russian: podzol = ash beneath)
		Poikilothermic term used to describe an organism with varying body temperature‚ usually because the organism is also exothermic (poikilo = varied‚ variegated; thermo = heat)
		Pollen another name for the male gametophyte in gymnosperms and angiosperms (pollen = fine flour)
		Pollinator an organism‚ often an insect‚ which aids in the transfer of pollen (pollen = fine flour; -ate = to treat‚ make‚ form‚ characterized by having; -or = state of‚ result of the act of‚ a person who)
		Polygonaceae from genus Polygonum‚ plant family characterized by swellings and a ring of bristles at each joint (node) of the stem; the flowers lack petals but the sepals often are colored (poly = many; goni = an angle‚ knee‚ joint; -aceae = plant family ending)
		Polymer a large molecule made of many‚ smaller‚ repeating‚ identical or similar subunits (poly = many; mer = a part)
		Polymorphism occurrence of several distinct forms of a species in the same habitat at the same time (poly = many; morpho = form)
		Polypeptide a chain of amino acids bonded together (poly = many; pepti = digested‚ cooked)
		Polypetalous term used to refer to a plant with un-united flower parts attached to the receptacle (poly = many; petal = a leaf‚ spread out‚ flat)
		Polypodiaceae plant family to which many of the ferns belong (poly = many; pod‚ poda = foot; -aceae = ending for plant family names)
		Polysaccharide a long chain of monosaccharides joined by dehydration synthesis (poly = many; sacchar = sugar)
		Pons the closest‚ larger bulge at the top of the spinal cord (pons = bridge)
		Population a group of the same species of organism in the same area at the same time (populus = the people)
		Porphyria a dominant genetic inability to make porphyrin (porphyr = purple; -ia = state of‚ condition of‚ disease)
		Porphyrin Ring a multi-ring‚ carbon-based molecule with nitrogens at its central corners‚ found in heme groups and chlorophyll (porphyr = purple — Murex snails in the Mediterranean were the source of expensive purple dye for cloth)
		Positive Feedback Loop a control mechanism that acts in the same direction as the stimulus that triggered it (posit = to place‚ placed)
		Postpartum adjective pertaining to the time just after giving birth to a baby (post = after‚ behind; partum = bring forth‚ bear)
		Predation when a larger animal eats other (smaller) animals (preda = prey‚ booty)
		Presbyopia being farsighted‚ not being able to see close objects clearly (presby = old‚ an old person; -opia = vision‚ eye)
		Prokaryote simple‚ one-celled organisms that do not have their DNA enclosed in a true nucleus and lack many other organelles such as mitochondria and chloroplasts (pro = before‚ in front of; karyon = nut‚ kernel‚ nucleus)
		Prophase first stage of mitosis or meiosis during which the chromosomes shorten‚ thicken‚ and become distinct (and in meiosis they pair up) (pro = before‚ in front of)
		Prostate Gland the largest of the male accessory glands which puts its secretions directly into the urethra (pro = before‚ in front of; histanai = to set – so‚ one standing before‚ to set before)
		Protandrous when an organism changes sexes‚ exhibiting male traits first‚ then female (proto = first; andro = man)
		Protein a macromolecule made from amino acids; some consist of one‚ long polypeptide chain while others are made from several intertwined polypeptides (proteios = first place)
		Kingdom Protista simple eukaryotes including protozoa and algae (proto = first)
		Protogynous when an organism changes sexes‚ exhibiting female traits first‚ then male (proto = first; gyn = woman‚ female)
		Protozoa protists that are animal-like in their nutrition (proto = first; zoa‚ zoo = animal)
		Pseudopodium extension of the cytoplasm in some types of cells‚ used for movement or engulfing prey (pseudo = false; poda = foot)
		Pseudostratified Ciliated Columnar Cells epithelial cells which bear cilia‚ are columnar shaped‚ and have one layer of cells‚ but appear to be stratified due to staggered heights (found lining the trachea) (pseudo = false; stratum = layer; cili = eyelash‚ small hair)
		Pubis the lower front hip bone (pube = hairy‚ downy)
		Pulmonary Circuit the blood flow to and from the lungs to pick up oxygen (pulmono = lung)
		Punctated Equilibrium the theory that there are “short” periods of much evolutionary change followed by long periods of species stability (punctum = a point‚ sting‚ prick; -ate = to treat‚ to make‚ to form; equi = equal; libra = a balance)
		Pupil the opening in the center of the iris for the light to go into the interior of the eye (pupilla = figure reflected in the eye‚ hence the pupil of the eye)
		Pyrenoid starch-storage organelles in the chloroplasts of various algae (pyren = a fruit stone; -oid = like‚ form)
		Pyridoxine Vitamin B6 (from pyridine [from pyrrol = pyrros = fiery + oleum = oil] + oxy- = sharp‚ acid + -ine)
		Pyruvic Acid a 3-carbon molecule‚ CH3COCOOH which results from the splitting of glucose in glycolysis (pyr = fire; uva = grape; -ic = pertaining to)
		Q
		Quadriceps Femoris the muscle that is the front of the thigh (quad = four; cep = head; femor = the thigh)
		R
		Radius the bone on the thumb side of the lower arm; the Radius Rotates around (radi = spoke‚ ray‚ radiating)
		Ranunculaceae plant family‚ commonly known as the buttercup family‚ whose flowers have multiple superior ovaries and numerous stamens (rana‚ ranunculi = frog‚ little frog‚ medicinal plant; -aceae = ending for plant families)
		Receptacle the “end” of a plant stem immediately under a flower — occasionally‚ as in the Rosaceae‚ this may be enlarged and extended into an hypanthium surrounding the ovary (re- = back; capere = to take)
		Rectus Abdominis segmented muscles on the front of the abdomen (rectus = straight [muscle]; abdomen = belly)
		Francesco Redi person who‚ in 1668‚ did an experiment with flies and meat that showed that larger organisms do not arise by spontaneous generation
		Regular Flower a term referring to a flower which has radial symmetry (note that this applies to individual flowers‚ not to flower clusters or inflorescences) (regula = rule)
		Renal Artery the main artery providing blood to the kidney (renal = kidney)
		Retina the lining of the back of the eye which contains the actual photoreceptors (retin = a net)
		Retinoblastoma a genetic condition in which the retinas develop fatal tumors just after birth — the person will survive and remain healthy if his/her eyes are removed (retina = a net‚ the retina of the eye; blasto = a bud‚ sprout; -oma = tumor‚ swelling)
		Rheotaxis moving in response to a current (rheo = flow‚ current; taxis = arrange‚ arrangement)
		Rheotropism leaning or growing in response to a current (rheo = flow‚ current; tropo = turn‚ change)
		Rhinitis an inflammation of the mucus membrane in the nose‚ usually due to a cold or allergies (rhino = nose; -itis = inflammation of)
		Rhizobium genus of nitrogen-fixing bacteria found in clover root nodules (rhizo = root; bios = life; -ium = small)
		Rhizopoda Division within Kingdom Protista that includes organisms such as Amoeba that move by means of pseudopodia (rhizo = root; poda = foot)
		Rhodophyta Division within Kingdom Protista commonly known as red algae‚ many of which (such as nori) are used as food and are good sources of dietary iodine (rhodo = rose; phyta = plant)
		Rib bones protecting the chest cavity (rib = to arch over)
		Riboflavin Vitamin B-2 (also formerly known as vitamin G) (from Ribes = currants or altered from “Arabicus‚ Arabic”; flav = yellow)
		Rigor Mortis a stiffening of the muscles after death because no new ATP is formed so calcium ions cannot be pumped out of the muscle cells (“stiffness of death” — mort = death)
		Rosaceae plant family commonly known as the rose family whose flowers have numerous stamens and the ovary surrounded by an hypanthium (rosa = rose; -aceae = ending for plant family names)
		Rut a periodic sexual excitement in the male of some animals that is analogous to estrous in the female (rut = a roaring)
		S
		Sacrum five fused vertebrae which are joined to the pelvis (sacrum = sacred — in some cultures‚ sacrum bones formerly held special significance in animal sacrifices)
		Sanguis one of the four humors‚ blood‚ which people used to think was produced by the heart (sanguis = blood)
		Saprophyte an organism‚ usually a fungus‚ that feeds on and helps to decompose decaying organic matter such as dung‚ corpses‚ etc. (sapro = rotten‚ putrid; phyto = plant)
		Sartorius a muscle that extends from the ilium‚ across the front of the thigh‚ to the inside of the knee so that it can rotate the leg outward (sartori = tailor‚ from the way they used to sit cross-legged while fitting garments in the days before sewing machines)
		Scala naturae Aristotle’s arrangement of all organisms from least to most complex (“scale of nature”)
		Scapula the shoulder blade (scapula = shoulder blade)
		Sclera the white covering of the eyeball (sclero = hard)
		Scrophulariaceae plant family to which snapdragons belong‚ from genus Scrophularia (from supposed ability to cure scrofula‚ swelling and degeneration [tuberculosis] of the lymph nodes in the neck)
		Semilunar Valve the valve between a ventricle and its major‚ outgoing artery (semi = half; luna = moon)
		Semitendinosus the inner muscle on the back of the thigh (semi = half; tendin = stretch‚ tendon; -osus = full of)
		Sepals the outermost layer of flower parts which surround the other three layers of parts (sepi = fence in)
		Serial Dilution a series of step-wise dilutions in which each solution serves as the source of the aliquot for the next dilution in the series
		William “Strata” Smith person who lived from 1769 to 1839 and studied the distribution of fossils
		Sodium Bicarbonate a sodium and a hydrogen ion bonded to a carbonate ion (NaHCO3)
		Soil the weathered layer of the earth’s crust with living organisms‚ including decomposers‚ and the products of their decay intermingled
		Solanaceae plant family commonly known as the nightshade family which includes many toxic species (solanum = nightshade; -aceae = ending for plant families)
		Solanum the genus to which the nightshades belong (solanum = nightshade)
		Solstice the summer day when the daylight is the longest and the winter day when the nighttime is the longest (sol = sun; stice = standing still‚ stationary)
		Solute a smaller amount of a substance which is dissolved in a greater amount of another substance (se- = apart; luere = to let go‚ set free; se-luere = to loosen‚ release‚ free)
		Solution a homogeneous mixture of two or more substances (se- = apart; luere = to let go‚ set free; se-luere = to loosen‚ release‚ free)
		Somatic Cell a general body cell with two sets of chromosomes (soma = body)
		Somatic NS the functional part of the NS which controls voluntary muscles and reflexes (soma = body)
		Spadix the stalk-like portion of an Araceae inflorescence which bears the flowers (from “a palm branch broken off together with the fruit”)
		Lazzaro Spallanzani person who‚ in the late 1760s‚ demonstrated that broth which was boiled in flasks‚ which were then sealed‚ stayed sterile and did not spoil
		Spathe the hood-like covering over the spadix in the Araceae (spath = a broad sword‚ blade‚ spoon)
		Species a group of actually or potentially interbreeding populations that are reproductively isolated from (cannot interbreed with) other such groups (species = a seeing‚ appearance‚ shape‚ kind)
		Specific Gravity the density of a substance divided by the density of water at the same temperature (species = a seeing‚ appearance‚ shape‚ kind; facere = to make; gravitas‚ gravis = heavy‚ weight)
		Sphygmomanometer instrument used to measure blood pressure (sphygmo = the pulse; mano = rare‚ thin‚ roomy; meter = to measure; manometer = an instrument to measure pressure exerted by a liquid)
		Spirogyra genus of algae in Kingdom Protista; Division Chlorophyta which forms colonial strands of cells with spiral chloroplasts (spiro = breathe‚ spiral‚ coil; gyra = round‚ turning‚ a circle)
		Spontaneous Generation the idea that non-living objects could give rise to living organisms‚ disproved by Redi’s and Pasteur’s experiments (sponte = of free will; generat = bear‚ beget‚ produce)
		Sporangium area(s) on the sporophyte generation of a plant in which spores are produced (sporo = seed; angio = vessel‚ receptacle‚ container)
		Sporophyte in plants and algae‚ the 2n generation which produces spores (sporo = seed; phyto = plant)
		Squamous Cells flat‚ scale-like cells (squamo = scale)
		Stamen a “male” plant part consisting of a filament and an anther (stamen = warp‚ thread)
		Stapes one of the bones in the middle ear (stapes = stirrup)
		Stenohaline having a narrow range of salt concentration tolerance (steno = narrow; halin‚ hali‚ halo = salt‚ the sea)
		Stenothermal having a narrow range of temperature tolerance (steno = narrow; thermo = heat)
		Sternum the breastbone (sternum = the breastbone)
		Stethoscope an instrument with a diaphragm or bell and earpieces for listening to heart and breathing sounds (stetho = chest; scope = see‚ watch‚ look)
		Stigma can mean a reddish-colored‚ light-sensitive organelle in Euglena or the sticky tip of the pistil in a flower (stigma = spot)
		Stipules enlarged‚ leaflet-like areas at the base of a leaf petiole (stipula = a stalk‚ straw — from stipes = trunk)
		Stomate a pore for air exchange in a leaf (stoma = mouth)
		Stratification layering of something such as the vegetation in a community‚ rocks‚ or the cells in our bodies (stratum = layer)
		Stratum a layer of something‚ such as rocks or cells — “stratified” cells or rocks have several layers (stratum = layer)
		Stroma the fluid within chloroplasts (stroma = bed)
		Style a flower part that is the stalk-like‚ middle portion of the “female” part (styl‚ stylo = a pillar‚ stake‚ column)
		Subatomic Particles small particles like protons‚ electrons‚ and neutrons‚ which make up atoms (sub = under‚ beneath; a- = not‚ without; tom = to cut)
		Substrate‚ Substratum surface in/on which an organism lives (sub = under‚ beneath; stratum = layer)
		Sucrose common table‚ beet‚ or cane sugar: a disaccharide consisting of glucose + fructose (sucro = sugar; -ose = carbohydrate ending)
		Supernatant the liquid above some solid precipitate which has settled from it (super = above‚ over; natant = swimming)
		Symbiosis two (or more) species living together and interacting (sym = with‚ together; bios = life)
		Sympathetic NS the functional part of the NS which increases energy expenditure and prepares for action (sym = with‚ together; pathos = disease‚ suffering)
		Sympatric Species species occupying the same area at the same time (sym = with‚ together; patri = fatherland‚ habitat)
		Sympetalous a plant with more advanced flowers with at least some united flower parts (sym = with‚ together; petal = a leaf‚ spread out‚ flat)
		Synapse a junction between two nerve cells or a nerve and a muscle cell (syn = with‚ together; apsis = a juncture)
		Synapsis the process of pairing of the homologous chromosomes during meiosis (syn = with‚ together; apsis = a juncture)
		Synecology the study of organisms grouped or associated in the same habitat or environment (syn = with‚ together; eco‚ oikus = house; logy = to study)
		Syngamy fertilization‚ union of egg and sperm‚ to restore the 2n condition (syn = with‚ together; -gamy = marriage‚ reproduction)
		Systema Naturae Linnaeus’ classification scheme published in 1758 (sys‚ sym‚ syn = with‚ together; histanai = to set; systema = to place together; nata = birth‚ born)
		Systole blood pressure when the ventricles are contracting and putting pressure on the blood (systol = a contraction)
		T
		Tarsals‚ Tarsi the heel bones (tarsus = the ankle)
		Taxonomic Hierarchy the classification system developed by Linnaeus including Kingdom‚ Phylum‚ Class‚ Order‚ Family‚ Genus‚ and Species levels (taxon‚ taxis = arrangement‚ order‚ division; -nomy‚ nomos = law‚ custom)
		Telophase the last stage of mitosis or meiosis wehre the chromosomes begin to uncoil‚ the new daughter nuclei form‚ and cytokinesis usually occurs (telos = end‚ complete — NOT tele = far)
		Teratogen a substance which causes birth defects (terato = monster; gen = bear‚ produce)
		Tetrad a pair of homologous chromosomes (so four sister chromatids) during meiosis‚ also known as a bivalent (tetra = four)
		Tetrahedron a geometric figure with four sides/faces (tetra = four; hedron = side‚ face)
		Thermometer a calibrated‚ liquid-filled tube used to monitor the temperature of a solution or substance (thermo = heat; meter = to measure)
		Thermoreceptors temperature-sensitive sensory receptors (thermo = heat; re- = back; capere = to take)
		Thiamine Vitamin B1; a deficiency causes beriberi (thi-‚ thio- = sulfur; amin‚ e‚ o = ammonia)
		Thigmotaxis moving in response to touch (thigmo = touch; taxis = arrange‚ arrangement)
		Thigmotropism‚ Stereotropism growing or leaning in response to touch (thigmo = touch; tropo = turn‚ change; stereo = solid)
		Thoracic Vertebrae those vertebrae which are attached to the ribs (thorax = chest‚ breastplate; vertebra = a joint)
		Thylakoid one of the sacs within a chloroplast; chlorophyll is built into the thylakoid membranes (thylac = sack‚ pouch; -iod = like‚ form)
		Tibia the thick‚ inside (big-toe side) shinbone (tibia = flute because animal tibiae were frequently used as flutes)
		Tissue a group of the same kind of cells with a common structure and function (tissue = to weave)
		Tocopherol another name for vitamin E (tokos = childbirth; pher‚ fer = to bear‚ carry; -ol = alcohol ending — because of its antisterility effectiveness)
		Topological Map a map with concentric lines representing changes in elevation (topo = a place; -logy = to study)
		Trachea the windpipe (trachea = windpipe)
		Trans Bond a C=C double bond where the attached pieces of the carbon chain are on opposite sides of the double bond (trans = across‚ through)
		Transcription transfer of the genetic code sequence from the DNA “alphabet” to the RNA “alphabet‚” but still using the base-pair “language” (trans = across‚ through; scribe = to write)
		Transformation the process whereby one strain of bacteria absorbs genetic material from another strain and turns into that strain (trans = across‚ through; forma = shape‚ figure‚ image)
		Translation transfer of the genetic code sequence from the RNA “language” to the protein/amino acid “language” (trans = across‚ through; latus = borne‚ carried)
		Trapezius the muscle which extends from the back of the head‚ down the back of the neck and edge of the shoulders‚ and part way down the upper back (trapezi = a table)
		Triceps Brachii the muscle on the back side of the upper arm (tri = three; cep = head‚ in reference to the number of attachments; brachi = arm)
		Triglyceride the chemical name for fats and oils; made from glycerol plus three fatty acids (tri = three; glycer = sweet; -ide = condition of)
		Trigonometry the mathematical study of the relationships among the sides of triangles (trigono = a triangle‚ triangular; -metry = measurement)
		Trisomy having three‚ rather than two‚ of a particular pair of chromosomes (tri = three; soma = body)
		Trophic Levels the various levels in a food chain or web (troph = food‚ nourish‚ nourishment)
		Trypanosoma gambiense parasitic member of Kingdom Protista; Division Zoomastigophora which causes African Sleeping Sickness and is spread by the tsetse fly (trypanon = borer; soma = body; Gambia = country on western coast of Africa; -ensis = of‚ belonging to)
		Tuberculosis an infection in the lungs (tubercul = a little knob or swelling; -osis = a condition of)
		Tympanum the eardrum (tympanum = drum)
		U
		Ulna the bone on the little finger side of the lower arm which also forms the elbow (ulna = the elbow)
		Ulva a multicellular member of Kingdom Protista; Division Chlorophyta which is commonly known as sea lettuce (ulva = a sedge)
		Umbelliferae also known as Apiaceae‚ the plant family commonly known as the parsley family whose flowers are arranged in an umbel in which numerous flowers arise from the same point like umbrella ribs (umbella = umbrella‚ parasol from umbra = shadow; fer = bear‚ carry)
		Unicellular having a body consisting of one cell (uni = one)
		Usher person who‚ in 1650‚ decided the Earth was only 6000 years old
		Uvula a flap at the end of the palate which closes to block off the nose during swallowing (uvula = palate)
		V
		Vaccination a weakened or inactive form of a pathogen given to enable the immune system to respond and produce immunity (vaccin = of a cow)
		Vacuole a larger storage area within a cell (vacu = empty)
		Varicose Veins swollen‚ stretched‚ enlarged veins (varic = a swollen vein; -ose = full of)
		Vas Deferens the tubes which carry sperm from scrota to urethra (these are cut in a vasectomy) (vasa = vessel‚ duct; deferens = carry away)
		Vernalization exposing seeds to enough cold to trigger germination (vernal = spring)
		Vertebrae bones that make up the spine (vertebra = a joint)
		Violaceae plant family commonly known as the violet family and having bilaterally symmetrical flowers (viola‚ viole = violet‚ viol [as in violin or viola]‚ fiddle — from violette = viole + -ette = small)
		Viviparous bearing live young (vivi = alive‚ living; parous = giving birth‚ bearing)
		Volvox member of Kingdom Protista; Division Chlorophyta that occurs in spherical colonies‚ often with daughter colonies inside (volv = roll‚ turn)
		W
		Alfred Russell Wallace person who lived about the same time as Charles Darwin and came up with a very similar theory of evolution
		James Watson and Francis Crick people who‚ in 1953‚ publised a paper describing a theoretical structure and means of replication for DNA
		X
		Xenophanes person who lived around 570 BC and was one of the first people to observe and write about fossils
		Y
		Z
		Zoology the study of animals (zoo = animal; -logy = to study)
		Zoomastigophora Division in Kingdom Protista whose members have a whip-like flagellum; some are parasitic and some are free-living (zoo = animal; mastigo‚ mastix = whip; phora = bear‚ carry)
		Zygomorphic a term which describes an irregular flower (zygo = yoke; morpho = form)
		Zygote the first cell of the new 2n organism formed by fertilization (zygo = yoke — note: this is yoke as in “yoke of oxen‚” NOT yolk as in “egg yolk”)