Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.
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Decomposer
Decomposer Definition A decomposer is an organism that decomposes, or breaks down, organic material such as the remains of dead organisms. Decomposers include bacteria and fungi. These organisms carry out the process of decomposition, which all living organisms undergo after death. Decomposition is an important process because it allows organic material to be recycled in […]
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Deciduous Trees
Deciduous Trees Definition Deciduous trees lose their leaves at the end of their growing season. This occurs in the fall in temperate deciduous forests, and in the dry season in tropical and subtropical deciduous forests. The word deciduous is from the Latin word decidere, meaning “to fall off.” The term for leaf loss is abscission. These […]
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Deciduous Forest
Deciduous Forest Definition A deciduous forest is a biome dominated by deciduous trees which lose their leaves seasonally. The Earth has temperate deciduous forests, and tropical and subtropical deciduous forests, also known as dry forests. Another name for these forests is broad-leaf forests because of the wide, flat leaves on the trees. Trees in tropical […]
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Cytosol
Cytosol Definition Cytosol is the liquid found inside of cells. It is the water-based solution in which organelles, proteins, and other cell structures float. The cytosol of any cell is a complex solution, whose properties allow the functions of life to take place. Cytosol contains proteins, amino acids, mRNA, ribosomes, sugars, ions, messenger molecules, and […]
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Cytoskeleton
Cytoskeleton Definition The cytoskeleton is a network of filaments and tubules that extends throughout a cell, through the cytoplasm, which is all of the material within a cell except for the nucleus. It is found in all cells, though the proteins that it is made of vary between organisms. The cytoskeleton supports the cell, gives […]
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Cytoplasm
Cytoplasm Definition Cytoplasm refers to the fluid that fills the cell, which includes the cytosol along with filaments, proteins, ions and macromolecular structures as well as the organelles suspended in the cytosol. In eukaryotic cells, cytoplasm refers to the contents of the cell with the exception of the nucleus. Eukaryotes have elaborate mechanisms for maintaining […]
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Cytolysis
Cytolysis Definition Cytolysis, also known as osmotic lysis, occurs when a cell bursts and releases its contents into the extracellular environment due to a great influx of water into the cell, far exceeding the capacity of the cell membrane to contain the extra volume. This is a concern particularly for cells that do not have […]
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Cytokinesis
Cytokinesis Definition Cytokinesis is the final process in eukaryotic cell division, which divides the cytoplasm, organelles, and cellular membrane. Cytokinesis typically occurs at the end of mitosis, after telophase, but the two are independent processes. In most animals, cytokinesis begins sometime in late anaphase or early telophase, to ensure the chromosomes have been completely segregated. […]
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Curare
Curare Definition Curare is a general name for a number of plant-derived poisons known to be used by South and Central American tribes. Curare is an alkaline poison, meaning that the poison is basic in pH, or exists above a pH of 7. There are many plants from which a curare can be derived, as many plant […]
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Cultivar
Cultivar Definition A cultivar is a subspecies classification describing plants varieties which are produced through artificial selection. Cultivar, the word, comes from a combination of cultivated variety. Different forms of the same species are considered varieties. When these varieties are then artificially selected by humans for particular traits, they become a cultivar. Cultivar is a term […]
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