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Glossary of terms used on this site

Glossary of biology.

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Glossaries

Term Main definition
alimentary canal
Glossaries - Biology glossary

tubular digestive system with a mouth and anus

aliphatic hydrocarbon
Glossaries - Biology glossary

hydrocarbon consisting of a linear chain of carbon atoms

alkaliphile
Glossaries - Biology glossary

organism with optimal growth pH of nine or above

allantois
Glossaries - Biology glossary

membrane of the egg that stores nitrogenous wastes produced by the embryo; also facilitates respiration

allele
Glossaries - Biology glossary

gene variations that arise by mutation and exist at the same relative locations on homologous chromosomes

allele frequency
Glossaries - Biology glossary

(also, gene frequency) rate at which a specific allele appears within a population

allergy
Glossaries - Biology glossary

mmune reaction that results from immediate hypersensitivities in which an antibody-mediated immune response occurs within minutes of exposure to a harmless antigen

allopatric speciation
Glossaries - Biology glossary

speciation that occurs via geographic separation

allopolyploid
Glossaries - Biology glossary

polyploidy formed between two related, but separate species

allosteric inhibition
Glossaries - Biology glossary

inhibition by a binding event at a site different from the active site, which induces a conformational change and reduces the enzyme's affinity for its substrate

alpha cell
Glossaries - Biology glossary

endocrine cell of the pancreatic islets that produces the hormone glucagon

alpha-helix structure
Glossaries - Biology glossary

 type of secondary structure of proteins formed by folding of the polypeptide into a helix shape with hydrogen bonds stabilizing the structure

Synonyms - α-helix
alteration
Glossaries - Biology glossary

change of the set point in a homeostatic system

alternation of generations
Glossaries - Biology glossary

life-cycle type in which the diploid and haploid stages alternate

alveolar duct
Glossaries - Biology glossary

duct that extends from the terminal bronchiole to the alveolar sac