Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.
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Fat
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…
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Facultative Anaerobe
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…
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Facilitated Diffusion
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)…
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F1 Generation
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…
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Eyes
Eyes Definition Eyes are animal organs that are specialized for sight. These may be as simple as proteins or cells which can tell light from darkness – like the “eyes” found in many microorganisms – or they may be complex assemblies of lenses, filters, light-sensitive tissues, nerves, and support structures. Most animals, including humans, have…
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Extremophile
Extremophile Definition Extremophiles are organisms that have evolved to survive in environments once thought to be entirely uninhabitable. These environments are inhospitable, reaching extreme conditions of heat, acidity, pressure, and cold that would be fatal to most other life forms. Because extremophiles live on extreme ends of the spectrum, they can indicate the range of…
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Extracellular Matrix
Extracellular Matrix Definition The extracellular matrix can be thought of as a suspension of macromolecules that supports everything from local tissue growth to the maintenance of an entire organ. These molecules are all secretions made by neighboring cells. Upon being secreted, the proteins will undergo scaffolding. Scaffolding, in turn, is a term used to describe…
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Extracellular Fluid
Extracellular Fluid Definition Extracellular fluid is the term for the many fluids that exist in an organism outside of cells of the organism, but sealed within the body cavities and vessels. Extracellular fluid that travels in the circulatory system is blood plasma, the liquid component of blood. As the oxygen and nutrients from blood are transferred…
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Extirpation
Extirpation Definition Extirpation (also known as ‘local extinction’) describes the situation in which a species or population no longer exists within a certain geographical location. Unlike extinction, whereby a species no longer exists anywhere, extirpation means that at least one other population of the species still persists in other areas. Most species of plants and animals have a…
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Extinction
Extinction Definition Extinction is a term applied to a known species, of which there are no known living individuals. Some species which have suffered extinction are known only from their fossilized remains. Others were at one point known to humans, but are gone now. Still others suffered directly at the hands of humans, driven to extinction. An extinct species,…
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