Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.

Definition A concentration gradient occurs when a solute is more concentrated in one area than another. A concentration gradient is alleviated through diffusion, though membranes can hinder diffusion and maintain a concentration gradient. Overview “Concentration” refers to how much of a solute is in a given amount of solvent. A corner of a water tank…

Definition Complete metamorphosis refers to change in anatomical and physiological form through a series of life stages. This occurs in the animal world, more specifically the insect world. This set of four stages – egg, larva, pupa, and adult – makes up the process of complete metamorphosis. Complete Metamorphosis Explained Complete metamorphosis must involve four…

Complete Dominance Definition Complete dominance occurs when one allele – or “version” – of a gene completely masks another. The trait that is expressed is described as being “dominant” over the trait that is not expressed. Most organisms are diploid – that is, they get two copies of each gene, one from each of their…

Competition Definition in Biology Competition is a relationship between organisms in which one is harmed when both are trying to use the same resource related to growth, reproduction, or survivability. Competition stems from the fact that resources are limited. There are simply not enough of some resources for all individuals to have equal access and…

Compact Bone Definition Compact bone, also known as cortical bone, is a denser material used to create much of the hard structure of the skeleton. As seen in the image below, compact bone forms the cortex, or hard outer shell of most bones in the body. The remainder of the bone is formed by cancellous or spongy bone. Compact bone…

Community Definition A biotic community, also known as a biota or ’biocoenosis’, is the group of organisms that live together and interact with each other within an environment or habitat. Together, the biotic community and the physical landscape or abiotic factors make up an ecosystem. Communities consist of a group of different species, which partake in direct and indirect biotic interactions,…

Common Descent Definition Common descent is a term within evolutionary biology which refers to the common ancestry of a particular group of organisms. The process of common decent involves the formation of new species from an ancestral population. When a recent common ancestor is shared between two organisms, they are said to be closely related.…

Commensalism Definition Commensalism is a relationship between two organisms in which one organism benefits, and one is unaffected. This can be contrasted with other types of symbiosis, such as mutualism and parasitism. The supposed difference between commensalism and other types of symbiosis is that in commensalism, the second party or host remains unaffected. Some scientist…

Cognitive Development Definition Cognitive development is the study of childhood neurological and psychological development. Specifically, cognitive development is assessed based on the level of conception, perception, information processing, and language as an indicator of brain development. It is generally recognized that cognitive development progresses with age, as human awareness and understanding of the world increases…

Cofactor Definition A cofactor is a non-protein chemical that assists with a biological chemical reaction. Co-factors may be metal ions, organic compounds, or other chemicals that have helpful properties not usually found in amino acids. Some cofactors can be made inside the body, such as ATP, while others must be consumed in food. Minerals, for…