Detritivore Definition Detritivores obtain their nutrition by feeding on detritus, which is a heterotrophic organism. Detritus consists of dead plants and animals. Alternatively, detritivores may consume feces for nutrition, a feeding strategy called coprophagy. Invertebrates such as mites, beetles, butterflies, and flies; mollusks such as slugs and snails; or soil-dwelling earthworms, millipedes, and woodlice are … Read more
Golgi Apparatus Definition The Golgi apparatus is an organelle in eukaryotic organisms that moves molecules from the endoplasmic reticulum to their destination. The organelle also modifies products of the endoplasmic reticulum to their final form. The Golgi apparatus is comprised of a series of flattened sacs that extend from the endoplasmic reticulum. Golgi Apparatus Overview … Read more
Recessive Trait Definition A recessive trait is a trait that is expressed when an organism has two recessive alleles, or forms of a gene. Traits are characteristics of organisms that can be observed; this includes physical characteristics such as hair and eye color, and also characteristics that may not be readily apparent, e.g. shape of … Read more
Lysogenic Cycle Definition The lysogenic cycle is a method by which a virus can replicate its DNA using a host cell. Typically, viruses can undergo two types of DNA replication: the lysogenic cycle or the lytic cycle. In the lysogenic cycle, the DNA is only replicated, not translated into proteins. In the lytic cycle, the … Read more
Bacteria Definition Bacteria are single-celled microorganisms with prokaryotic cells, which are single cells that do not have organelles or a true nucleus and are less complex than eukaryotic cells. Bacteria with a capital B refers to the domain Bacteria, one of the three domains of life. The other two domains of life are Archaea, members … Read more
The Basics Black racer snake (Coluber constrictor) refers to several subspecies of large, black, non-venomous snakes common in the southern United States. Black racers have long, smooth, slender bodies with solid black or dark grey scales. They have large eyes and typically some white coloration on the underside of their heads. The rest of their … Read more
Open Circulatory System Definition In an open circulatory system, the blood suffuses the body instead of being sealed tight in arteries and veins, and may be directly exposed to the environment. Hemolymph is used instead of blood in open circulatory systems. In animals with closed circulatory systems, hemolymph performs the functions of blood, lymph, and … Read more
The human nervous system is a sprawling network of nerves and cells which, together, regulate all of the vital functions that take place in our bodies. The sympathetic nervous system (SNS) and the parasympathetic nervous system (PSNS) are both components of the autonomic nervous system (ANS). Together, they regulate the involuntary and reflexive functions of … Read more
The cell body (also known as the soma) is the spherical part of the neuron that houses the nucleus. Additionally, it contains all the other organelles essential to cell survival and provides the axon with energy, proteins, and other materials. What is the Cell Body? The cell body (AKA the soma) is one of the … Read more
Monophyletic Definition Monophyletic, or monophylogeny, is a term used to describe a group of organisms that are classified in the same taxon and share a most common recent ancestor. A monophyletic group includes all descendants of that most common recent ancestor. The word “mono-phylo-geny” literally translates from Greek into “one-tribe-origin.” A monophyletic taxon is also … Read more