Biology
23 definitions in this category
Aging The gradual decline in biological function over time, leading to increased vulnerability and eventual death. Aging affec... Allometric Describing growth or scaling relationships where different parts or properties change at different rates relative to bod... Apical Relating to or situated at the apex or tip. In biology, apical refers to the growing point or tip of a structure—the api... Concentration The amount of a substance per unit volume. A measure of how much of something exists in a given space. Defense Mechanisms that protect organisms from threats including predators, parasites, pathogens, and environmental hazards. Def... Dormancy A state of minimal metabolic activity that allows organisms to survive unfavorable conditions. Dormancy can last days to... Endogenous Originating from within an organism or system. The opposite of exogenous (external origin). Entrainment The synchronization of an organism's biological rhythms to external environmental cues (zeitgebers), particularly the al... Exogenous Originating from outside an organism or system. The opposite of endogenous (internal origin). Facultative Optional or capable of but not requiring a particular mode of life. The opposite of obligate. Gradient A difference in a quantity across space that creates directional flow. Concentration gradients (differences in substance... Isometric Describing scaling where proportions remain constant regardless of size—each dimension changes at the same rate. Contras... Mating The pairing of organisms for sexual reproduction. Mating involves mate selection, courtship behaviors, and the physical... Mechanism The underlying process or causal chain that explains *how* something works, not just *what* happens. In biology, mechani... Morphology The form and structure of an organism, including size, shape, color, and arrangement of parts. The study of physical for... Mycelium The vegetative part of a fungus, consisting of a network of fine white filaments (hyphae) that spread through soil or ot... Nutrient A substance that provides nourishment essential for growth and life maintenance. Nutrients include macronutrients (neede... Obligate Required or necessary; describing organisms that must live in a particular way and cannot survive otherwise. The opposit... Organism An individual living thing capable of carrying out life processes: metabolism, growth, reproduction, and response to env... Reproduction The biological process by which organisms produce offspring. Reproduction can be sexual (combining genetic material from... Senescence The biological process of aging—the gradual deterioration of functional characteristics over time. In cells, the loss of... Signal Information transmitted between cells, organisms, or systems that triggers a response. Signals can be chemical (hormones... Taxonomy The science of classifying and naming organisms based on shared characteristics. Taxonomy organizes life into hierarchic...