Biology

INTRODUCTION

Facts On File’s Encyclopedia of Biology is a reference to help in understanding the basic concepts in biology and its peripheral disciplines like

ecology, botany, and even Earth science. Arranged in alphabetical order,

the entries include biographies of individuals who have made major contributions as well as numerous line illustrations and photographs to help in

visualizing technical concepts.

I have tried to include the more common terms you will likely

encounter during your educational experience or even when you are out in

the “real” world. There are literally thousands of biological terms. Many

are so specific to major or minor subdisciplines of biology that you may

never encounter them. You will not find those esoteric terms in this encyclopedia but, rather, a collection of terms that you should be familiar with

to understand core biological principles and have a working knowledge of

the field. You can also use this volume simply to increase your scientific

vocabulary. A series of well-placed essays elaborate on some of the most

important trends and issues in the field. One of these describes how the use

of computer technology has revealed an artificial toe in a mummy that is

thousands of years old. You will also learn how blood is used in forensic

science to capture criminals and read about the latest trends in human

cytogenetics. Other essays will make you think about your role in the

world and explore some of the negative effects we humans have had on the

biological world, in particular to the insect family.

The encyclopedia also includes appendixes with information about

Internet Websites and biology-related software that is waiting for you to

explore.

We humans are part of this immense biological world, and we interact

with it in many ways. Some of those interactions have cost species their

very existence. Some have helped us survive disease. In other cases, we

have helped species come back from the brink of extinction. This complex

interrelationship is not clearly understood even today, and that is why

many who use this book are pursuing some aspect of biology as a career.

We have come a long way from Robert Hooke’s first observation of a

cell under a crude microscope to today’s observations of atomic-level

activity using electron microscopes. The use of computer science and technology has enabled huge leaps in our understanding of our biological

world. The future hope of nanotechnology, using small robots to scurry

through our bodies to fix organs or cure disease, is closer to becoming

reality than it is to fiction. Other former sci-fi issues, like cloning humans,

are on the forefront of discussion, and some have even claimed human

cloning has happened. The mapping of our entire genetic makeup brings

promise to thousands of people who have or carry genetically based disease. This has led at least one scientist to declare that we are moving into

the “industrial revolution of biology,” anticipating the exciting discoveries

just around the corner from the analysis of all this genetic information.

We are entering a world of molecular understanding of developmental

biology all the way to the enigma of consciousness. But you cannot leap

without first taking small steps. Use this book for the small steps, and

heed the words of Cornell biologist James G. Needham (1888–1957),

who once wrote:

It is a monstrous abuse of the science of biology to teach it only in

the laboratory—Life belongs in the fields, in the ponds, on the

mountains, and by the seashore.

So, armed with this book, consider that your next assignment.

AINTRODUCTION

Facts On File’s Encyclopedia of Biology is a reference to help in understanding the basic concepts in biology and its peripheral disciplines like

ecology, botany, and even Earth science. Arranged in alphabetical order,

the entries include biographies of individuals who have made major contributions as well as numerous line illustrations and photographs to help in

visualizing technical concepts.

I have tried to include the more common terms you will likely

encounter during your educational experience or even when you are out in

the “real” world. There are literally thousands of biological terms. Many

are so specific to major or minor subdisciplines of biology that you may

never encounter them. You will not find those esoteric terms in this encyclopedia but, rather, a collection of terms that you should be familiar with

to understand core biological principles and have a working knowledge of

the field. You can also use this volume simply to increase your scientific

vocabulary. A series of well-placed essays elaborate on some of the most

important trends and issues in the field. One of these describes how the use

of computer technology has revealed an artificial toe in a mummy that is

thousands of years old. You will also learn how blood is used in forensic

science to capture criminals and read about the latest trends in human

cytogenetics. Other essays will make you think about your role in the

world and explore some of the negative effects we humans have had on the

biological world, in particular to the insect family.

The encyclopedia also includes appendixes with information about

Internet Websites and biology-related software that is waiting for you to

explore.

We humans are part of this immense biological world, and we interact

with it in many ways. Some of those interactions have cost species their

very existence. Some have helped us survive disease. In other cases, we

have helped species come back from the brink of extinction. This complex

interrelationship is not clearly understood even today, and that is why

many who use this book are pursuing some aspect of biology as a career.

We have come a long way from Robert Hooke’s first observation of a

cell under a crude microscope to today’s observations of atomic-level

activity using electron microscopes. The use of computer science and technology has enabled huge leaps in our understanding of our biological

world. The future hope of nanotechnology, using small robots to scurry

through our bodies to fix organs or cure disease, is closer to becoming

reality than it is to fiction. Other former sci-fi issues, like cloning humans,

are on the forefront of discussion, and some have even claimed human

cloning has happened. The mapping of our entire genetic makeup brings

promise to thousands of people who have or carry genetically based disease. This has led at least one scientist to declare that we are moving into

the “industrial revolution of biology,” anticipating the exciting discoveries

just around the corner from the analysis of all this genetic information.

We are entering a world of molecular understanding of developmental

biology all the way to the enigma of consciousness. But you cannot leap

without first taking small steps. Use this book for the small steps, and

heed the words of Cornell biologist James G. Needham (1888–1957),

who once wrote:

It is a monstrous abuse of the science of biology to teach it only in

the laboratory—Life belongs in the fields, in the ponds, on the

mountains, and by the seashore.

So, armed with this book, consider that your next assignment.

ABO blood groups Blood group antibodies (A, B,

AB, O) that may destroy red blood cells bearing the antigen to which they are directed; also called “agglutinins.”