Category: Biology Dictionary F

Fauna Definition Fauna is a term which refers to all of the animal life within a specified region, time period, or both. The “flora and fauna” of a certain place is a descriptor of all the life in a region, including both the plant-like organisms and the animal-like organisms. However, while this was once used […]

Fatty Acids Definition Fatty acids are comprised of hydrocarbon chains terminating with carboxylic acid groups. Fatty acids and their associated derivatives are the primary components of lipids. The length and degree of saturation of the hydrocarbon chain is highly variable between each fatty acid, and dictates the associated physical properties (e.g., melting point and fluidity). […]

Fat Definition Fat is a term used to describe a class of macro nutrients used in metabolism called triglycerides. These make up one of three classes of macronutrients including proteins and carbohydrates. Fats provide a means of storing energy for most eukaryotes, as well as act as a food source. Fats have the highest energy […]

Facultative Anaerobe Definition A facultative anaerobe is an organism which can survive in the presence of oxygen, can use oxygen in aerobic respiration, but can also survive without oxygen via fermentation or anaerobic respiration. Most eukaryotes are obligate aerobes, and cannot survive without oxygen. Prokaryotes tolerate a wide range of oxygen, from obligate anaerobes which are poisoned by oxygen, to facultative anaerobes […]

Facilitated Diffusion Definition Facilitated diffusion is a form of facilitated transport involving the passive movement of molecules along their concentration gradient, guided by the presence of another molecule – usually an integral membrane protein forming a pore or channel. Facilitated diffusion does not directly involve high-energy molecules like adenosine triphosphate (ATP) or guanosine triphosphate (GTP) […]

F1 Generation Definition The F1 generation refers to the first filial generation. Filial generations are the nomenclature given to subsequent sets of offspring from controlled or observed reproduction. The initial generation is given the letter “P” for parental generation. The first set of offspring from these parents is then known as the F1 generation. The F1 generation […]