Biology, part 2

Mrs. Newport (United States of America)
20 words 8 learners

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Full list of words from this list:

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  1. microevolution
    evolution resulting from small specific genetic changes that can lead to a new subspecies
    Additional layers of diversity are generated by clonal expansion, microevolution and phenotypic plasticity. Nature (Sep 18, 2013)
  2. transpiration
    the emission of water vapor from the leaves of plants
    This study estimates that roughly half of the solar power absorbed by the Earth’s continental surface goes into driving plant transpiration. Scientific American (Apr 23, 2013)
  3. nondisjunction
    meiosis in which there is a failure of paired homologous chromosomes to separate; results in an abnormal number of chromosomes in the daughter cells
  4. omnivore
    an animal that feeds on both animal and vegetable substances
    Gorillas are omnivores, meaning they’ll eat just about anything — including tree bark.
  5. multicellular
    consisting of many basic structural and functional units
    Then in stage two, about 500 million years ago, he says earth had an onset of lots of multicellular complex life. Forbes (Aug 31, 2013)
  6. pseudopod
    temporary outgrowth of a cell used for locomotion or feeding
    The processes or pseudopods grow gradually longer, thinner, and more pointed. Lubbock, John, Sir
  7. autotroph
    an organism capable of synthesizing its own food
  8. heterotroph
    an organism that cannot make its own food supply
  9. photosynthesis
    formation of compounds in plants aided by radiant energy
    In the worst case, the dust cloud from a major impact could shut down photosynthesis. Scientific American (Feb 20, 2013)
  10. phototropism
    an organism's orienting response to light
    This phototropism extends all the way down to much smaller photosynthetic organisms. Scientific American (May 12, 2012)
  11. synthesis
    the combination of ideas into a complex whole
    Flowers give off volatile aroma compounds as a result of a process called anabolic synthesis: putting together small molecules to make big ones.
  12. hypothesis
    a tentative insight that is not yet verified or tested
    Weaver and her colleagues are testing the hypothesis in animal studies.
  13. chemosynthesis
    synthesis of carbohydrate from carbon dioxide and water
    Suffocating as she was in that rubble, she could have come alive in a diminished form like all other creatures of chemosynthesis. Sills, Steven (Steven David Justin)
  14. radial
    relating to or near the radius
    As its circumference grows after rim sections are lifted into place, the wheel is temporarily held together by temporary trusses called “radial struts.” Forbes (Aug 20, 2013)
  15. inference
    a conclusion you can draw based on known evidence
    In reading, 9-year-olds were more adept at making inferences from nonfiction texts and grasping figures of speech.
  16. conference
    a prearranged meeting for consultation or discussion
    The bank's chief financial officer, David Mathers, brushed aside those concerns on a conference call with investors last month.
  17. deference
    courteous regard for people's feelings
    Once you are all seated, pay most deference to the highest status person there. 
  18. radiation
    the act of spreading outward from a central source
    No technology exists to do solar radiation management.
  19. chemistry
    the composition and properties of a substance or object
    Today, all pharmaceutical companies use computational chemistry to screen experimental compounds for potential as medicines before further testing them on animals or people.
  20. evolution
    sequence of events involved in the development of a species
    The evolution of free will began when living things began to make choices. Slate (Sep 25, 2013)
Created on Wed Oct 09 12:43:11 EDT 2013 (updated Wed Oct 16 16:03:13 EDT 2013)

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