Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.

Diploid Definition Diploid describes a cell or nucleus which contains two copies of genetic material, or a complete set of chromosomes, paired with their homologs (chromosome carrying the same information from the other parent). By maintaining two copies of the genetic code, diploid organisms obtain an advantage by having greater genetic variation within their population, as each individual can […]

Dihybrid Cross Definition A dihybrid cross is an experiment in genetics in which the phenotypes of two genes are followed through the mating of individuals carrying multiple alleles at those gene loci. Most sexually reproducing organisms carry two copies of each gene, allowing them to carry two different alleles. Historically, an organism with parts from […]

The digestive tract is responsible for the processing of the foods that you eat, from the time you put food in your mouth, until you eliminate the material from your body. With all of these parts that have to work together, from the stomach to the gall bladder to the large intestine, it’s amazing how […]

A digestive system is a group of organs consisting of the central gastrointestinal (GI) tract and its associated accessory organs that break down food into smaller components so that nutrients can be absorbed and assimilated. This provides the necessary energy to sustain the body. How Does the Digestive System Work? The GI tract is a […]

Digastric Muscle Definition The digastric muscle is one of few muscles containing separate muscle bellies. These two parts of the digastric muscle are separated by an intermediate rounded tendon, running through the hyoid bone. There is a digastric muscle on each side of the jaw, connecting from the jaw through the hyoid to the lower […]

Diffusion Definition Diffusion is a physical process that refers to the net movement of molecules from a region of high concentration to one of lower concentration. The material that diffuses could be a solid, liquid or gas. Similarly, the medium in which diffusion occurs could also be in one of the three physical states. One […]

Dicotyledon Definition Dicotyledon, or dicot for short, refers to one of two main groups into which flowering plants (angiosperms) are categorized. Most flowering plants are traditionally divided into two different categories: monocots and dicots. Members of each group tend to share similar features. Dicots, as their name implies, are named for the number of cotyledons, […]

Dichotomous Key Definition A dichotomous key is a tool created by scientists to help scientists and laypeople identify objects and organisms. Typically, a dichotomous key for identifying a particular type of object consists of a specific series of questions. When one question is answered, the key directs the user as to what question to ask […]

Diatom Definition Diatoms (pictured below) are a common type of unicellular phytoplankton that likely originated around the Jurassic period. Diatoms can form colonies characterized by particular shapes (e.g., stars, fans, and ribbons) and are encapsulated by a unique cell wall composed of silica, termed a frustule. The frustules of various diatom species are highly diverse […]

Diastole Definition Diastole is a phase in the cardiac cycle, during which the heart relaxes and allows blood to refill each atrium and each ventricle. Diastole is the longer of the two phases, and the contraction of the muscles in the heart happens rather quickly. The longer diastole phase is necessary to allow blood to return to the […]