Biology, BIO-CEL
How do plants feed themselves? How did dogs evolve from wolves? What good is the appendix in humans, anyway? Such questions fall within the domain of biology, which seeks to understand living organisms and their vital processes (although the jury’s still out on what our appendixes are for). Biology’s diverse fields include botany, ecology, evolution, genetics, medicine, physiology, and zoology.
Biology Encyclopedia Articles By Title
biogeography
biogeography, the study of the geographic distribution of plants, animals, and other forms of life. It is concerned......
bioinformatics
bioinformatics, a hybrid science that links biological data with techniques for information storage, distribution,......
Biological development
Biological development, the progressive changes in size, shape, and function during the life of an organism by......
- Introduction
- Embryogenesis, Metamorphosis, Differentiation
- Structural, Functional, Growth
- Open Systems, Closed Systems, Development
- Morphogenesis, Cell Differentiation, Pattern Formation
- Self-Assembly, Morphogenesis, Units
- Control, Integration, Regulation
- Growth, Differentiation, Maturation
- Recapitulation, Ancestral, Stages
biological psychology
biological psychology, the study of the physiological bases of behaviour. Biological psychology is concerned primarily......
Biological rhythm
Biological rhythm, periodic biological fluctuation in an organism that corresponds to, and is in response to, periodic......
Biology
Biology, study of living things and their vital processes. The field deals with all the physicochemical aspects......
biology, Philosophy of
Philosophy of biology, philosophical speculation about the concepts, methods, and theories of the biological sciences.......
Bioluminescence
Bioluminescence, emission of light by an organism or by a laboratory biochemical system derived from an organism.......
biomechanics
biomechanics, in science, the study of biological systems, particularly their structure and function, using methods......
biophysics
biophysics, discipline concerned with the application of the principles and methods of physics and the other physical......
biopoiesis
biopoiesis, a process by which living organisms are thought to develop from nonliving matter, and the basis of......
bird flu
bird flu, a viral respiratory disease mainly of poultry and certain other bird species, including migratory waterbirds,......
birth
birth, process of bringing forth a child from the uterus, or womb. The prior development of the child in the uterus......
Black knot
Black knot, serious and progressive fungal disease of wild and cultivated Prunus species in North America. Black......
blackhead
blackhead, acute liver and intestinal disease of turkeys, chickens, and other game birds, caused by the protozoan......
bleeding and blood clotting
bleeding and blood clotting, escape of blood from blood vessels into surrounding tissue and the process of coagulation......
blepharitis
blepharitis, common inflammation of the eyelids that is marked by red, scaly, crusting eyelids and a burning, itching,......
Blight
Blight, any of various plant diseases whose symptoms include sudden and severe yellowing, browning, spotting, withering,......
blind staggers
blind staggers, symptom of several unrelated animal diseases, in which the affected animal walks with an unsteady,......
blindness
blindness, transient or permanent inability to see any light at all (total blindness) or to retain any useful vision......
blister
blister, a rounded elevation of the skin containing clear fluid, caused by a separation either between layers of......
blister rust
blister rust, any of several diseases of pine trees caused by rust fungi of the genus Cronartium. Blister rust......
bloat
bloat, disorder of ruminant animals involving distention of the rumen, the first of the four divisions of the stomach,......
blood
blood, fluid that transports oxygen and nutrients to the cells and carries away carbon dioxide and other waste......
blood cell formation
blood cell formation, continuous process by which the cellular constituents of blood are replenished as needed.......
blood disease
blood disease, any disease of the blood, involving the red blood cells (erythrocytes), white blood cells (leukocytes),......
- Introduction
- Anemia, Causes, Symptoms
- Anemias, Normocytic, Normochromic
- Iron Deficiency, Anemia, Microcytic
- Polycythemia, Causes, Treatment
- Leukocytosis, Causes, Symptoms
- Leukemia, Cancer, Treatment
- Lymphoma, Leukemia, Anemia
- Vascular, Bleeding, Disorders
- Vitamin K Deficiency, Hemorrhage, Coagulation
blood group
blood group, classification of blood based on inherited differences (polymorphisms) in antigens on the surfaces......
blood typing
blood typing, classification of blood in terms of distinctive inherited characteristics that are associated with......
blood vessel
blood vessel, a tubular structure that carries blood throughout the body as part of the circulatory system. The......
bloodborne disease
bloodborne disease, any of a group of diseases caused by pathogens such as viruses or bacteria that are carried......
Blue-green algae
Blue-green algae, any of a large, heterogeneous group of prokaryotic, principally photosynthetic organisms. Cyanobacteria......
Body heat
Body heat, thermal energy that is a by-product of metabolism in higher animals, especially noticeable in birds......
boil
boil, a staphylococcus skin infection characterized by an inflamed nodular swelling filled with pus, located at......
bolus
bolus, food that has been chewed and mixed in the mouth with saliva. Chewing helps to reduce food particles to......
bone
bone, rigid body tissue consisting of cells embedded in an abundant hard intercellular material. The two principal......
bone disease
bone disease, any of the diseases or injuries that affect human bones. Diseases and injuries of bones are major......
bone marrow
bone marrow, soft, gelatinous tissue that fills the cavities of the bones. Bone marrow is either red or yellow,......
book lung
book lung, form of respiratory organ found in certain air-breathing arachnid arthropods (scorpions and most spiders).......
Borna disease
Borna disease, a viral disease of warm-blooded animals, notably horses and sheep, characterized by inflammation......
Botanical garden
Botanical garden, originally, a collection of living plants designed chiefly to illustrate relationships within......
botany
botany, branch of biology that deals with the study of plants, including their structure, properties, and biochemical......
botulism
botulism, paralytic syndrome caused by poisoning by botulinum toxin, a substance produced by Clostridium botulinum......
boutonneuse fever
boutonneuse fever, a mild typhuslike fever caused by the bacterium Rickettsia conorii conorii and transmitted by......
bovine spongiform encephalopathy
bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), a fatal neurodegenerative disease of cattle. Bovine spongiform encephalopathy......
Brain
Brain, the main organ of the nervous system and the center of information processing. In particular, the brain......
brain death
brain death, State of irreversible destruction of the brain. Before the invention of life-support systems, brain......
brainstem
brainstem, area at the base of the brain that acts as the body’s automatic control center, regulating vital functions......
breast cancer
breast cancer, disease characterized by the growth of malignant cells in the mammary glands. Breast cancer affects......
breathing
breathing, the action of moving air or water across the surface of a respiratory structure, such as a gill or lung,......
breech birth
breech birth, in childbirth, position of the fetus in which the buttocks or feet are presented first. About 3 to......
Bright disease
Bright disease, inflammation of the structures in the kidney that produce urine: the glomeruli and the nephrons.......
bronchus
bronchus, any of the large airway passages of the lower respiratory tract that diverge from the trachea (windpipe)......
Brooding
Brooding, in zoology, pattern of behaviour of certain egg-laying animals, especially birds, marked by cessation......
brown adipose tissue
brown adipose tissue, specialized type of connective tissue found in most mammals that generates heat. Newborns......
Brown algae
Brown algae, (class Phaeophyceae), class of about 1,500 species of algae in the division Chromophyta, common in......
brucellosis
brucellosis, infectious disease of humans and domestic animals characterized by an insidious onset of fever, chills,......
Budding
Budding, in biology, a form of asexual reproduction in which a new individual develops from some generative anatomical......
Budding bacterium
Budding bacterium, any of a group of bacteria that reproduce by budding. Each bacterium divides following unequal......
bulbocavernosus muscle
bulbocavernosus muscle, a muscle of the perineum, the area between the anus and the genitals. In the male, it surrounds......
bulbourethral gland
bulbourethral gland, either of two pea-shaped glands in the male, located beneath the prostate gland at the beginning......
bullous pemphigoid
bullous pemphigoid, a chronic, generalized skin disorder characterized by an eruption of serum-filled vesicles......
bunion
bunion, type of bursitis that appears as a bulge covered by thickened skin occurring at the base of the big toe,......
Bunt
Bunt, fungal disease of wheat, rye, and other grasses. Infection by Tilletia tritici (formerly T. caries) or T.......
bunyavirus
bunyavirus, any virus belonging to the class Bunyaviricetes. The class includes two primary orders, Elliovirales......
bursa
bursa, within the mammalian body, any small pouch or sac between tendons, muscles, or skin and bony prominences......
Caffey syndrome
Caffey syndrome, a hereditary disease of infants, characterized by swellings of the periosteum (the bone layer......
Calculating dog years
How do dogs age in comparison with humans? And are seven dog years really equivalent to one year of human life?......
calicivirus
calicivirus, any virus belonging to the family Caliciviridae. Caliciviruses have nonenveloped virions (virus particles)......
Callophyllis
Callophyllis, genus of about 60 species of red algae, the largest group in the family Kallymeniaceae, widely distributed......
Cambrian explosion
Cambrian explosion, the unparalleled emergence of organisms between 541 million and approximately 530 million years......
campylobacter
campylobacter, (genus Campylobacter), group of spiral-shaped bacteria that can cause human diseases such as campylobacter......
campylobacteriosis
campylobacteriosis, a disease of cattle, sheep, and humans caused by bacteria of the genus Campylobacter. Vaccines......
Can salamanders regrow body parts?
When a salamander loses a limb, the tissues at the stump undergo a fascinating transformation. They dedifferentiate,......
Can You Really Be Scared to Death?
A friend jumps out at you when you’re turning a corner. Your heart starts pounding, and you gasp. “You scared me......
cancer
cancer, group of more than 100 distinct diseases characterized by the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in......
- Introduction
- Rates, Trends, Prevention
- Tumor Progression, Clinical View
- Metastasis, Tumor, Cells
- Tumor Effects, Symptoms, Treatment
- Immune Response, Tumors, Treatment
- Diagnosis, Treatment, Prevention
- Evaluation, Tumors, Diagnosis
- Treatment, Chemotherapy, Radiation
- Chemotherapy, Treatment, Prevention
- Targeted Therapies
- Immunotherapy, Treatment, Prevention
- Gene Therapy, Tumors, Treatment
- Mutations, Carcinogens, Genetics
- Oncogenes, Mutations, Treatment
- Chromosomal Translocation
- Loss, RB Protein, Mutations
- Apoptosis, Development, Prevention
- Carcinogens, Mutagens, Radiation
- Chemicals, Particulate, Fibres
- Radiation Therapy, Treatment, Prevention
- Milestones, Science, Research
canine distemper
canine distemper, an acute, highly contagious, disease affecting dogs, foxes, wolves, mink, raccoons, and ferrets.......
canine parvovirus disease
canine parvovirus disease, acute viral infection in dogs characterized by a severe enteritis that is associated......
canine viral hepatitis
canine viral hepatitis, acute adenovirus infection common in young dogs, affecting the liver and inner lining of......
Canker
Canker, plant disease, caused by numerous species of fungi and bacteria, that occurs primarily on woody species.......
canker sore
canker sore, a small, painful ulcer of the oral cavity, typically round, shallow, and white in appearance and occurring......
carcinogen
carcinogen, any of a number of agents that can cause cancer in humans. They can be divided into three major categories:......
cardiac muscle
cardiac muscle, in vertebrates, one of three major muscle types, found only in the heart. Cardiac muscle is similar......
cardiac output
cardiac output, in human physiology, the volume of blood pumped by each ventricle of the heart over a given period......
cardiovascular disease
cardiovascular disease, any of the diseases, whether congenital or acquired, of the heart and blood vessels. Among......
- Introduction
- Abnormalities, Heart Chambers, Risk Factors
- Valves, Abnormalities, Treatment
- Acquired, Risk Factors, Prevention
- Risk Factors, Prevention, Treatment
- Myocardial Infarction, Risk Factors, Prevention
- Coronary Bypass, Surgery, Risk
- Heart, Pulmonary Artery, Aorta
- Syphilis, Heart, Aorta
- Myocardial Infarction, Hypertension, Arrhythmia
- Rhythm, Conduction, Prevention
- Supraventricular Arrhythmia, Risk Factors, Treatment
- Ventricular Arrhythmia, Risk Factors, Treatment
- Ventricular Dysfunction, Heart Failure, Treatment
- Prevention, Medication, Surgery
- Repair, Acquired Defects
- Coronary Artery, Risk Factors, Prevention
- Arterial Damage, Risk Factors, Prevention
- Atherosclerosis, Plaque, Arteries
- Nonocclusive, Risk Factors, Prevention
- Risk Factors, Prevention, Treatment
- Vein Disorders, Atherosclerosis, Hypertension
- Hemodynamics, Disorders, Risk Factors
- Shock, Symptoms, Treatment
- Anaphylaxis, Shock, Symptoms
- Refractory, Irreversible, Shock
carotenemia
carotenemia, yellow skin discoloration caused by excess blood carotene; it may follow overeating of such carotenoid-rich......
cartilage
cartilage, connective tissue forming the skeleton of mammalian embryos before bone formation begins and persisting......
case fatality rate
case fatality rate, in epidemiology, the proportion of people who die from a specified disease among all individuals......
castoreum
castoreum, an oily, viscid glandular secretion contained in two pairs of membranous sacs between the anus and external......
cat scratch disease
cat scratch disease, bacterial infection in human beings caused by Bartonella henselae, which is transmitted by......
Catabolism
Catabolism, the sequences of enzyme-catalyzed reactions by which relatively large molecules in living cells are......
cataract
cataract, opacity of the crystalline lens of the eye. Cataracts occur in 50 percent of people between the ages......
catatonia
catatonia, psychomotor syndrome in which an affected individual is unresponsive and immobile or occasionally hyperactive,......
CC, The First Cloned Cat
CC was the world’s first cloned pet. Here are five quick facts about this groundbreaking cat. list, animals, science,......
cecum
cecum, pouch or large tubelike structure in the lower abdominal cavity that receives undigested food material from......
celiac disease
celiac disease, an inherited autoimmune digestive disorder in which affected individuals cannot tolerate gluten,......
cell
cell, in biology, the basic membrane-bound unit that contains the fundamental molecules of life and of which all......
- Introduction
- Molecules, Structure, Biology
- Coupled Reactions, Metabolism, Enzymes
- DNA, Genes, Chromosomes
- Intercellular, Signaling, Communication
- Lipids, Phospholipids, Membranes
- Membrane Transport, Osmosis, Diffusion
- Channels, Membranes, Biology
- Secondary Active Transport
- Calcium Pumps, Membrane Transport, Homeostasis
- Structure, Organelles, Metabolism
- Endoplasmic Reticulum, Organelles, Membranes
- Secretory Vesicles
- Nuclear Envelope, Membrane, Organelles
- RNA Synthesis
- RNA Regulation, Post-Transcriptional, mRNA Stability
- Mitochondria, Energy, Organelle
- Photosynthesis, Respiration, Metabolism
- Actin Filaments, Cytoskeleton, Proteins
- Proteins, Structure, Function
- Matrix, Proteins, Biology
- Gap Junctions, Intercellular Communication, Connexins
- Signaling, Metabolism, Division
- Polysaccharide, Plant, Structure
- Mitosis, Cytokinesis, Prokaryotes
- Meiosis, Chromosomes, Mitosis
- Differentiation, Organelles, Cytoplasm
- Differentiation, Organelles, Cytoplasm
- Metabolism, Evolution, Structure
- Protoplasm, Organelles, Cytoplasm
cell biology
cell biology, branch of science that studies the structure, function, and behavior of cells—the fundamental units......
cell culture
cell culture, the maintenance and growth of the cells of multicellular organisms outside the body in specially......
cell cycle
cell cycle, the ordered sequence of events that occur in a cell in preparation for cell division. The cell cycle......
cell differentiation
cell differentiation, process by which an immature cell develops into a specialized cell type with a distinct structure......