Glossary of Terms
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A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z #

Select the first letter of the word from the list above to jump to appropriate section of the glossary. If the term you are looking for starts with a digit or symbol, choose the '#' link.


- A -

adaptations

          the process by which an organism or species becomes suited to its environment

adrenaline

          a hormone secreted by the adrenal glands, affecting circulation and muscular action...causing excitement and stimulation

amphibian

a creature living both on land and water

arachnid

          any arthropod of the class Arachnida, having 4 pairs of walking legs

arthropod

          any invertebrate animal with segmented body, jointed limbs, and and an external skeleton


astrology

the study of stars and planets' effect on human affairs

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- B -

bacteria

       a single-celled microorganism ; some that can cause disease

bioluminescent
      any biologically-produced light
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- C -

camouflage

to blend in with surroundings
 
  carnivore
 
meat-eating
 
constellation
    
          a pattern of stars
     
constellation families
           a set grouping of constellations
 colonies
        a group of mammals living together

crepuscular

       most active during the hours just before sunrise and sunset

 

        
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- D -

debris
 
       flying material from an object

deforestation

       the clearing of forests and trees by man

diurnal

       mostly active during the daylight


double exposure

a single negative exposed two times
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- E -

echolocation

high frequency sounds sent out by a bat to find prey or help him navigate
ecliptic
     
         the sun's visible path in the sky
         
Elliptical
         football-shaped

entomologist

          someone who studies insects

exoskeletal

an outer skeleton
 
eyeshine

          
the reflection of a light source off the tapetum (a mirror-like membrane) of  an eye
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- F -

fusion(nuclear)

         the binding together of atomic particles to build up heavier elements. This causes the release of energy that is the source of energy in all stars.

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- G -

galaxy

          a large cluster of billions of stars and clouds of gas and dust, held together by gravity
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- H -

hieroglyphics

            pictures/drawings that represent words; picture writing

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- I -

immortal

            living forever; not mortal

infrared

           having an energy wavelength just greater than the red end of the visible light spectrum, but less than that of radio waves

insect

          any arthropod of the class insecta, having a head, thorax, abdomen, two antennae, three pairs of legs, and usually one or two pairs of wings

instinct

          a fixed pattern of behavior in most animals in response to certain stimuli, apparently automatic

Irregular

any galaxy whose shape can't be classified as Spiral or Elliptical
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- J -

(empty)
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- K -

(empty)
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- L -

light year

the distance light travels in one year
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- M -

marsupial

         any mammal of the order Marsupialia, characterized by being incompletely developed and usually carried and suckled in a pouch on the mother's belly

migration

         to change an area of habitation

musk

        a yellowish-brown substance produced by a gland

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- N -

nocturnal

          done or active by night

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- O -

orbit

         to go around an object
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- P -

perissodactyl

        any member of the three families of hoofed mammals- horses, tapir and rhinoceroses

poacher

        to hunt illegally (against the law)

pollinate

        to sprinkle with pollen

polyps

       
a small growth

predator

       an animal naturally preying on others

prey

       an animal that is hunted by another for food

primate

        the highest order of mammals

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- Q -

(empty)
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- R -

raptor

          a bird of prey     

receptors

         an organ able to respond to stimulus such as light or heat and send a signal to a sensory nerve

 
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- S -

sacred

           dedicated to a god or some religious purpose

sarcophagi

           coffins, usually made of stone

Savannahs

grassy plains in tropical and subtropical regions

shaman

          a holy man

 
species 
  
         a kind or variety

Spiral-
    
       a galaxy with a flattened spiral shape

spores

         reproductive cells of many plants and microorganisms(life to small to be seen by the human eye)

 
subspecies

       
a specific variety under a species
 
supercluster

         
a giant grouping of many clusters of galaxies

supernatural

          attributed to or thought to reveal some force above the laws of nature

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- T -

tapetum

        the reflective membranous layer in the eyes of nocturnal animals

       

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- U -

(empty)
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- V -

vertebrates

       any creature with a spinal column

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- W -

(empty)
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- X -

(empty)
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- Y -

(empty)
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- Z -

zooplankton

small plankton made of small animals living in the water
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- # -

(empty)
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Revised: April 01, 1999.
Copyright © 1999  Niki & Jessica
All trademarks or product names mentioned herein are the property of their respective owners.