JonyC/ScienceGlossary · Datasets at Hugging Face

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molecular biologist	Biology	1	A person who studies cells at the molecular level in order to understand the interactions between components like DNA, RNA and proteins.
molluscs	Biology	1	A large division of invertebrate (without a backbone) animals. The best-known molluscs are snails, slugs, shellfish, octopuses and squids.
monocotyledon	Biology	1	A plant of one of the two major groups of flowering plants (angiosperms) characterised by a seed with one seed leaf called a cotyledon.
monogenic	Biology	1	Only a single gene is involved.
monotreme	Biology	1	A mammal that lays eggs, such as the platypus and echidna.
monozygotic twins	Biology	1	Identical twins that originate from a single fertilised egg and therefore share identical DNA.
morphological	Biology	1	The visible, physical characteristics of an organism.
mosaic	Biology	1	An organism that has cells with different genetic characteristics.
mosasaur	Biology	1	An extinct type of marine reptile that lived in the Cretaceous period. They looked something like a huge crocodile, with paddles instead of legs. Many different species lived in the sea around New Zealand.
mould	Biology	1	A type of fungus that appears as a furry growth, especially in damp or decaying material.
muscle	Biology	1	The tissue that makes it possible for an animal to move and to maintain its posture. Muscles also make the heart beat, force blood to circulate and move food along the digestive system. The human body has more than 600 muscles.
mustelid	Biology	1	Mustelidae is a family of carnivorous mammals, including weasels, stoats and ferrets. In New Zealand, they are regarded as pest predators.
mutagen	Biology	1	A chemical that can cause changes in the sequence of DNA.
mutagenic	Biology	1	Capable of inducing a genetic mutation.
mutation	Biology	1	Occurs when the DNA is damaged or changed in such a way that it alters the genetic message carried by that gene.
mutualism	Biology	1	A close association of two different species that is beneficial to both.
mycorrhiza	Biology	1	A structure formed by the symbiotic relationship between a fungus and a plant. The fungus grows around the small roots of the plant and helps it to absorb minerals from the soil. The plant supplies sugar to the fungus to help it grow.
myofibrils	Biology	1	The strands that make up muscle fibres. They are made up of even thinner filaments.
myoglobin	Biology	1	The oxygen-transporting and storage protein of muscle.
nacre	Biology	1	A biomineral produced by various types of mollusc that is made predominantly from calcium carbonate and the carbohydrate chitin. Known as ‘mother of pearl’, it gives the inner shell of the mollusc its characteristic lustrous and iridescent appearance.
native	Biology	1	A species that lives naturally in a country, as opposed to species that have been introduced by the activity of humans.
naturalised	Biology	1	An organism that has established a population naturally in a country other than where it originated. These organisms, once established, are considered native.
nectar	Biology	1	A sugary liquid found in many flowers, made and stored in a nectary. Used to attract animals, which eat it and accidentally collect or deposit pollen at the same time.
neuromuscular	Biology	1	The nerve and muscle systems of an animal’s body.
neuroreceptor	Biology	1	Specialised proteins on nerve cells (neurons) involved in sending chemical and electrical messaging around the body of an organism.
neutrophil	Biology	1	A type of white blood cell (immune cell) that forms a primary defence against infection. They can engulf and destroy foreign organisms.
new organism	Biology	1	Any organism that is coming into New Zealand for the first time. Examples include introduced or genetically modified organisms.
non-coding dna	Biology	1	The components of an organism’s DNA sequences that do not encode for protein sequences (DNA that is not made into protein).
non-systemic	Biology	1	Having a local effect rather than affecting the entire organism.
nuclear membrane	Biology	1	Membrane that encloses the genetic material of eukaryotic cells.
nuclei	Biology	1	Plural of nucleus. An organelle in eukaryotic cells that contains most of a cells DNA.
null segregant	Biology	1	An organism that does not contain transgenes or genetically modified traits from its parents.
nutrient cycling	Biology	1	The movement and exchange of organic and inorganic matter back through and between living organisms and their physical surroundings, i.e. soil, water, atmosphere. The ecological recycling of nutrients.
nymph	Biology	1	An immature form of some animals, like cockroaches, crickets, cicadas and mantises. It differs from a larval form in that it looks like the adult form but without wings. It also doesn’t go through a pupa stage.
ocelli	Biology	1	1. A type of simple eye common to invertebrates. It has a single lens. 2. An eyelike coloured spot, for example, on a butterfly wing.
okazaki fragment	Biology	1	Small fragments of DNA, which are joined together by ligases during DNA replication.
olfactory sensillum	Biology	1	A small hair-like structure protruding from an insect antenna containing sensory neurons that transmit information about odours to the insect brain.
omnivore	Biology	1	An animal which eats both plants and meat.
opportunistic pathogen	Biology	1	Bacteria that do not usually cause disease but can become a health threat when the body’s immune system is compromised.
organelle	Biology	1	Structure within a cell that has a specific function such as the nucleus, mitochondria and ribosomes.
organic	Biology	1	1. Molecules that contain carbon and that have a biological origin. 2. Grown using natural processes with nutrients from natural sources.
organic matter	Biology	1	The decomposed remains of living organisms and their waste products.
ovary	Biology	1	1. (Flowering plants) Contains the ovules in the female part of the flower. 2. (Animals) The female egg-producing organ involved in sexual reproduction.
ovipositor	Biology	1	An egg-laying organ in some female insects and fishes.
ovulation	Biology	1	The release of a gamete or egg cell in female animals.
ovule	Biology	1	1. (Plants) In seed plants, contains female sex cells (gametes) inside an ovary. An ovule develops into a seed after fertilisation. 2. (Animals) A small egg (ovum).
oxo-degradable	Biology	1	Plastics made from biological or petrochemical sources that incorporate additives to encourage the plastic to fragment. These plastics do not fully degrade and break into microplastics.
paleobotany	Biology	1	The study of fossil plants.
paleoclimate proxies	Biology	1	Physical, chemical and biological materials preserved within the geologic record that can be analyszed and correlated with climate or environmental parameters in the modern world.
paleolimnologist	Biology	1	Someone who uses sediments, pollen or other biological materials to reconstruct the past environments of freshwater systems.
paleolimnology	Biology	1	Reconstructing the past environments of freshwater using analyses of sediments, pollen and other biological materials.
parasite	Biology	1	An organism that lives in or on another organism. Parasites usually cause harm to their host organism.
parasitism	Biology	1	A close association between two different species where one organism harms its host organism.
parasitoid	Biology	1	An organism that has young that develop on or within another organism (the host), eventually killing it.
pelagic	Biology	1	Marine species that live in the upper layers of the open sea or lake.
peptidomics	Biology	1	The study of the peptidome: all the peptides synthesised in a particular cell or organism at a particular point in time.
pest control	Biology	1	The management of species defined as a pest.
philopatry	Biology	1	The tendency of an organism to stay in or habitually return to a particular area. The causes of philopatry are numerous, but natal philopatry, where animals return to their birthplace to breed, may be the most common form.
phosphorus cycle	Biology	1	Phosphorus, which is essential for life, is found in rocks. From there, it cycles through water, sediments and soil. In soil, it is made available to plants (and animals through plants). As organisms decay, it is cycled back through water, sediments and rocks.
phosphorus immobilisation	Biology	1	A process in which the activities of microbes convert plant-available phosphorus into forms not available to plants.
phosphorus mineralisation	Biology	1	A process in which the activities of microbes convert organic forms of phosphorus into inorganic forms that can be used by plants.
phylogeny	Biology	1	The study of the evolution and/or evolutionary development of a group of organisms based on shared genetic and anatomical characteristics.
phytochemical	Biology	1	One of a group of biologically active compounds that are found in small amounts in fruits and vegetables. These compounds have been linked to human health by contributing to protection against degenerative diseases such as cancer.
phytoplankton	Biology	1	Very small plant organisms that drift with water currents and, like land plants, use carbon dioxide, release oxygen and convert minerals to a form animals can use.
pigment	Biology	1	Any fine, insoluble, dry, solid particles used to give colour. In biology, the dye-like material produced generally in the superficial parts of animals that gives colour to skin, eyes and hair.
pistil	Biology	1	The name for all the female reproductive organs (carpels) in a flower. There may be one or more carpels in a pistil.
plankton	Biology	1	A group of marine organisms including single-celled and multi-celled organisms.
plant variety right	Biology	1	Aplant variety rightgives the owner the exclusive right to sell plants and any propagating material of the protected variety.
plasmid	Biology	1	A short circular DNA sequence found in bacterial cells and occasionally in other cells. Plasmids can replicate independently of the bacterial chromosome.
pluripotent	Biology	1	The ability of a cell to differentiate into many different cell types.
podocarp	Biology	1	Evergreen tree of the Southern Hemisphere of the genusPodocarpushaving a pulpy fruit with one hard seed. For example, miro, mataī and tōtara are all podocarp trees.
poisonous	Biology	1	Capable of harming or killing by or as if by poison. A poisonous organism only delivers its toxins when eaten, touched or inhaled.
pollen	Biology	1	Dust-like grains that contain male sex cells (gametes) of flowering plants (angiosperms) and cone plants (gymnosperms). Pollen is made on the anthers of flowering plants.
pollinator	Biology	1	Something that carries pollen from one flower to another.
positive feedback	Biology	1	A term used in biology to describe where two or more factors serve to reinforce each other, such as where X produces more of Y, which leads to more of X, which leads to more of Y and so on.
predates	Biology	1	To hunt or seek prey.
predator	Biology	1	An animal that kills and eats other animals, called its prey.
predator control	Biology	1	The management, removal or eradication of predatory species.
prey drive	Biology	1	The instinctive urge of a carnivorous animal to find, chase and capture prey.
primary cilium	Biology	1	A single protrusion from the surface of eukaryotic cells. Primary cilia are thought to sense the extracellular surroundings by detecting mechanical and biochemical stimuli.
primate	Biology	1	A mammal of the order Primates that includes lemurs, marmosets, monkeys, apes and humans.
proboscis	Biology	1	1. An insect’s flexible, tube-like mouthpart used for sucking. 2. A mammal’s long, mobile nose, like that of an elephant.
producer	Biology	1	An organism that makes its own food from inorganic matter.
promoter	Biology	1	A DNA sequence where RNA polymerase binds to begin transcription.
propagation	Biology	1	Increasing plant numbers using seeds, cutting, division, grafting or other methods. Can be sexual (for example, seeds) or asexual (for example, grafting). Asexual propagation results in many plants that are genetically identical (clones).
propolis	Biology	1	A wax-like substance collected by honey bees from tree buds. It is used to seal gaps in the hive.
prostate	Biology	1	A small gland at the base of a man's bladder.
proteome	Biology	1	All of the proteins synthesised by an individual cell or organism at one particular point in time.
proteomics	Biology	1	The study of the proteome (all the proteins synthesised in a particular cell or organism at a particular point in time).
protist	Biology	1	A large and diverse kingdom of organisms that are mostly unicellular (such as protozoa, unicellular algae and slime molds).
protozoa	Biology	1	Single-celled organisms that are considered to be animal-like because they get their energy from ingested food.
pseudogenes	Biology	1	Genes that code for a protein, but are no longer functional.
pupa	Biology	1	An insect in the inactive stage of development (when it is not feeding) intermediate between larva and adult.
pure-breeding	Biology	1	When mated with their own kind, all the offspring resemble their parents.
pyy	Biology	1	A peptide hormone released by cells in the ileum and colon in response to feeding. It is involved in the regulation of appetite.
pūkeko	Biology	1	A New Zealand swamp hen (Porphyrio porphyrio melanotus) related to the Australasian purple swamp hen.
quadrat	Biology	1	A square (of either metal, wood or plastic) used in ecology and geography to isolate a sample.
ram	Biology	1	Male sheep.
ratite	Biology	1	A diverse group of large, flightless birds of Gondwanan origin, most of them now extinct. The smallest ratites are kiwi, which are also the only nocturnal members of this group.
reassortant strain	Biology	1	A strain produced from the genetic material of two or more similar viruses. An example of a reassortant strain is H1N1 (swine flu), which is a combination of swine flu, bird flu and human flu.

molecular biologist

Biology

1

A person who studies cells at the molecular level in order to understand the interactions between components like DNA, RNA and proteins.

molluscs

Biology

1

A large division of invertebrate (without a backbone) animals. The best-known molluscs are snails, slugs, shellfish, octopuses and squids.

monocotyledon

Biology

1

A plant of one of the two major groups of flowering plants (angiosperms) characterised by a seed with one seed leaf called a cotyledon.

monogenic

Biology

1

Only a single gene is involved.

monotreme

Biology

1

A mammal that lays eggs, such as the platypus and echidna.

monozygotic twins

Biology

1

Identical twins that originate from a single fertilised egg and therefore share identical DNA.

morphological

Biology

1

The visible, physical characteristics of an organism.

mosaic

Biology

1

An organism that has cells with different genetic characteristics.

mosasaur

Biology

1

An extinct type of marine reptile that lived in the Cretaceous period. They looked something like a huge crocodile, with paddles instead of legs. Many different species lived in the sea around New Zealand.

mould

Biology

1

A type of fungus that appears as a furry growth, especially in damp or decaying material.

muscle

Biology

1

The tissue that makes it possible for an animal to move and to maintain its posture. Muscles also make the heart beat, force blood to circulate and move food along the digestive system. The human body has more than 600 muscles.

mustelid

Biology

1

Mustelidae is a family of carnivorous mammals, including weasels, stoats and ferrets. In New Zealand, they are regarded as pest predators.

mutagen

Biology

1

A chemical that can cause changes in the sequence of DNA.

mutagenic

Biology

1

Capable of inducing a genetic mutation.

mutation

Biology

1

Occurs when the DNA is damaged or changed in such a way that it alters the genetic message carried by that gene.

mutualism

Biology

1

A close association of two different species that is beneficial to both.

mycorrhiza

Biology

1

A structure formed by the symbiotic relationship between a fungus and a plant. The fungus grows around the small roots of the plant and helps it to absorb minerals from the soil. The plant supplies sugar to the fungus to help it grow.

myofibrils

Biology

1

The strands that make up muscle fibres. They are made up of even thinner filaments.

myoglobin

Biology

1

The oxygen-transporting and storage protein of muscle.

nacre

Biology

1

A biomineral produced by various types of mollusc that is made predominantly from calcium carbonate and the carbohydrate chitin. Known as ‘mother of pearl’, it gives the inner shell of the mollusc its characteristic lustrous and iridescent appearance.

native

Biology

1

A species that lives naturally in a country, as opposed to species that have been introduced by the activity of humans.

naturalised

Biology

1

An organism that has established a population naturally in a country other than where it originated. These organisms, once established, are considered native.

nectar

Biology

1

A sugary liquid found in many flowers, made and stored in a nectary. Used to attract animals, which eat it and accidentally collect or deposit pollen at the same time.

neuromuscular

Biology

1

The nerve and muscle systems of an animal’s body.

neuroreceptor

Biology

1

Specialised proteins on nerve cells (neurons) involved in sending chemical and electrical messaging around the body of an organism.

neutrophil

Biology

1

A type of white blood cell (immune cell) that forms a primary defence against infection. They can engulf and destroy foreign organisms.

new organism

Biology

1

Any organism that is coming into New Zealand for the first time. Examples include introduced or genetically modified organisms.

non-coding dna

Biology

1

The components of an organism’s DNA sequences that do not encode for protein sequences (DNA that is not made into protein).

non-systemic

Biology

1

Having a local effect rather than affecting the entire organism.

nuclear membrane

Biology

1

Membrane that encloses the genetic material of eukaryotic cells.

nuclei

Biology

1

Plural of nucleus. An organelle in eukaryotic cells that contains most of a cells DNA.

null segregant

Biology

1

An organism that does not contain transgenes or genetically modified traits from its parents.

nutrient cycling

Biology

1

The movement and exchange of organic and inorganic matter back through and between living organisms and their physical surroundings, i.e. soil, water, atmosphere. The ecological recycling of nutrients.

nymph

Biology

1

An immature form of some animals, like cockroaches, crickets, cicadas and mantises. It differs from a larval form in that it looks like the adult form but without wings. It also doesn’t go through a pupa stage.

ocelli

Biology

1

1. A type of simple eye common to invertebrates. It has a single lens. 2. An eyelike coloured spot, for example, on a butterfly wing.

okazaki fragment

Biology

1

Small fragments of DNA, which are joined together by ligases during DNA replication.

olfactory sensillum

Biology

1

A small hair-like structure protruding from an insect antenna containing sensory neurons that transmit information about odours to the insect brain.

omnivore

Biology

1

An animal which eats both plants and meat.

opportunistic pathogen

Biology

1

Bacteria that do not usually cause disease but can become a health threat when the body’s immune system is compromised.

organelle

Biology

1

Structure within a cell that has a specific function such as the nucleus, mitochondria and ribosomes.

organic

Biology

1

1. Molecules that contain carbon and that have a biological origin. 2. Grown using natural processes with nutrients from natural sources.

organic matter

Biology

1

The decomposed remains of living organisms and their waste products.

ovary

Biology

1

1. (Flowering plants) Contains the ovules in the female part of the flower. 2. (Animals) The female egg-producing organ involved in sexual reproduction.

ovipositor

Biology

1

An egg-laying organ in some female insects and fishes.

ovulation

Biology

1

The release of a gamete or egg cell in female animals.

ovule

Biology

1

1. (Plants) In seed plants, contains female sex cells (gametes) inside an ovary. An ovule develops into a seed after fertilisation. 2. (Animals) A small egg (ovum).

oxo-degradable

Biology

1

Plastics made from biological or petrochemical sources that incorporate additives to encourage the plastic to fragment. These plastics do not fully degrade and break into microplastics.

paleobotany

Biology

1

The study of fossil plants.

paleoclimate proxies

Biology

1

Physical, chemical and biological materials preserved within the geologic record that can be analyszed and correlated with climate or environmental parameters in the modern world.

paleolimnologist

Biology

1

Someone who uses sediments, pollen or other biological materials to reconstruct the past environments of freshwater systems.

paleolimnology

Biology

1

Reconstructing the past environments of freshwater using analyses of sediments, pollen and other biological materials.

parasite

Biology

1

An organism that lives in or on another organism. Parasites usually cause harm to their host organism.

parasitism

Biology

1

A close association between two different species where one organism harms its host organism.

parasitoid

Biology

1

An organism that has young that develop on or within another organism (the host), eventually killing it.

pelagic

Biology

1

Marine species that live in the upper layers of the open sea or lake.

peptidomics

Biology

1

The study of the peptidome: all the peptides synthesised in a particular cell or organism at a particular point in time.

pest control

Biology

1

The management of species defined as a pest.

philopatry

Biology

1

The tendency of an organism to stay in or habitually return to a particular area. The causes of philopatry are numerous, but natal philopatry, where animals return to their birthplace to breed, may be the most common form.

phosphorus cycle

Biology

1

Phosphorus, which is essential for life, is found in rocks. From there, it cycles through water, sediments and soil. In soil, it is made available to plants (and animals through plants). As organisms decay, it is cycled back through water, sediments and rocks.

phosphorus immobilisation

Biology

1

A process in which the activities of microbes convert plant-available phosphorus into forms not available to plants.

phosphorus mineralisation

Biology

1

A process in which the activities of microbes convert organic forms of phosphorus into inorganic forms that can be used by plants.

phylogeny

Biology

1

The study of the evolution and/or evolutionary development of a group of organisms based on shared genetic and anatomical characteristics.

phytochemical

Biology

1

One of a group of biologically active compounds that are found in small amounts in fruits and vegetables. These compounds have been linked to human health by contributing to protection against degenerative diseases such as cancer.

phytoplankton

Biology

1

Very small plant organisms that drift with water currents and, like land plants, use carbon dioxide, release oxygen and convert minerals to a form animals can use.

pigment

Biology

1

Any fine, insoluble, dry, solid particles used to give colour. In biology, the dye-like material produced generally in the superficial parts of animals that gives colour to skin, eyes and hair.

pistil

Biology

1

The name for all the female reproductive organs (carpels) in a flower. There may be one or more carpels in a pistil.

plankton

Biology

1

A group of marine organisms including single-celled and multi-celled organisms.

plant variety right

Biology

1

Aplant variety rightgives the owner the exclusive right to sell plants and any propagating material of the protected variety.

plasmid

Biology

1

A short circular DNA sequence found in bacterial cells and occasionally in other cells. Plasmids can replicate independently of the bacterial chromosome.

pluripotent

Biology

1

The ability of a cell to differentiate into many different cell types.

podocarp

Biology

1

Evergreen tree of the Southern Hemisphere of the genusPodocarpushaving a pulpy fruit with one hard seed. For example, miro, mataī and tōtara are all podocarp trees.

poisonous

Biology

1

Capable of harming or killing by or as if by poison. A poisonous organism only delivers its toxins when eaten, touched or inhaled.

pollen

Biology

1

Dust-like grains that contain male sex cells (gametes) of flowering plants (angiosperms) and cone plants (gymnosperms). Pollen is made on the anthers of flowering plants.

pollinator

Biology

1

Something that carries pollen from one flower to another.

positive feedback

Biology

1

A term used in biology to describe where two or more factors serve to reinforce each other, such as where X produces more of Y, which leads to more of X, which leads to more of Y and so on.

predates

Biology

1

To hunt or seek prey.

predator

Biology

1

An animal that kills and eats other animals, called its prey.

predator control

Biology

1

The management, removal or eradication of predatory species.

prey drive

Biology

1

The instinctive urge of a carnivorous animal to find, chase and capture prey.

primary cilium

Biology

1

A single protrusion from the surface of eukaryotic cells. Primary cilia are thought to sense the extracellular surroundings by detecting mechanical and biochemical stimuli.

primate

Biology

1

A mammal of the order Primates that includes lemurs, marmosets, monkeys, apes and humans.

proboscis

Biology

1

1. An insect’s flexible, tube-like mouthpart used for sucking. 2. A mammal’s long, mobile nose, like that of an elephant.

producer

Biology

1

An organism that makes its own food from inorganic matter.

promoter

Biology

1

A DNA sequence where RNA polymerase binds to begin transcription.

propagation

Biology

1

Increasing plant numbers using seeds, cutting, division, grafting or other methods. Can be sexual (for example, seeds) or asexual (for example, grafting). Asexual propagation results in many plants that are genetically identical (clones).

propolis

Biology

1

A wax-like substance collected by honey bees from tree buds. It is used to seal gaps in the hive.

prostate

Biology

1

A small gland at the base of a man's bladder.

proteome

Biology

1

All of the proteins synthesised by an individual cell or organism at one particular point in time.

proteomics

Biology

1

The study of the proteome (all the proteins synthesised in a particular cell or organism at a particular point in time).

protist

Biology

1

A large and diverse kingdom of organisms that are mostly unicellular (such as protozoa, unicellular algae and slime molds).

protozoa

Biology

1

Single-celled organisms that are considered to be animal-like because they get their energy from ingested food.

pseudogenes

Biology

1

Genes that code for a protein, but are no longer functional.

pupa

Biology

1

An insect in the inactive stage of development (when it is not feeding) intermediate between larva and adult.

pure-breeding

Biology

1

When mated with their own kind, all the offspring resemble their parents.

pyy

Biology

1

A peptide hormone released by cells in the ileum and colon in response to feeding. It is involved in the regulation of appetite.

pūkeko

Biology

1

A New Zealand swamp hen (Porphyrio porphyrio melanotus) related to the Australasian purple swamp hen.

quadrat

Biology

1

A square (of either metal, wood or plastic) used in ecology and geography to isolate a sample.

ram

Biology

1

Male sheep.

ratite

Biology

1

A diverse group of large, flightless birds of Gondwanan origin, most of them now extinct. The smallest ratites are kiwi, which are also the only nocturnal members of this group.

reassortant strain

Biology

1

A strain produced from the genetic material of two or more similar viruses. An example of a reassortant strain is H1N1 (swine flu), which is a combination of swine flu, bird flu and human flu.