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Glossary of terms used on this site

Glossary of biology.

Search for glossary terms (regular expression allowed)

Glossaries

Term Main definition
surface tension
Glossaries - Biology glossary

tension at the surface of a body of liquid that prevents the molecules from separating; created by the attractive cohesive forces between the liquid's molecules

surfactant
Glossaries - Biology glossary

detergent-like liquid in the airways that lowers the surface tension of the alveoli to allow for expansion

survivorship curve
Glossaries - Biology glossary

graph of the number of surviving population members versus the relative age of the member

suspensor
Glossaries - Biology glossary

part of the growing embryo that makes connection with the maternal tissues

sutural bone
Glossaries - Biology glossary

small, flat, irregularly shaped bone that forms between the flat bones of the cranium

suture
Glossaries - Biology glossary

short fiber of connective tissue that holds the skull bones tightly in place; found only in the skull

swim bladder
Glossaries - Biology glossary

in fishes, a gas filled organ that helps to control the buoyancy of the fish

symbiosis
Glossaries - Biology glossary

close interaction between individuals of different species over an extended period of time that impacts the abundance and distribution of the associating populations

sympathetic nervous system
Glossaries - Biology glossary

division of autonomic nervous system activated during stressful “fight or flight” situations

sympatric speciation
Glossaries - Biology glossary

speciation that occurs in the same geographic space

symphysis
Glossaries - Biology glossary

hyaline cartilage covers the end of the bone, but the connection between bones occurs through fibrocartilage; symphyses are found at the joints between vertebrae

symporter
Glossaries - Biology glossary

transporter that carries two different ions or small molecules, both in the same direction

synapse
Glossaries - Biology glossary

junction between two neurons where neuronal signals are communicated

synapsid
Glossaries - Biology glossary
synapsis
Glossaries - Biology glossary

formation of a close association between homologous chromosomes during prophase I