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)
</