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AWAKE Glossary

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A

Abdomen

the part of the body that generaly contains the intestines; also called the belly; in organisms, such as insects and spiders, is the last body section

Abrade

irritate or wear-away by friction

Accidental

in biogeography, used to describe a rare record of an animal outside its normal geographic distribution caused by unknown circumstances

Acid Mine Drainage

water having a higher than normal acid content as a result of flowing through some mined areas, in particular those containing a geology high in acid content, and then being exposed to air and certain weather conditions

Acid Rain

rain containing acids that form when sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, or similar industrial gas emissions combine with water

Acute

having a sharp tip, as in some leaves

Adipose Fin

a soft, fin-like structure lacking supporting rays or spines and located on the back near the tail

Aerate

to add oxygen to water or soil

Aerosolized

in a form capable of being dispersed through the air, for example, dry virus particles can be aerosolized because they are very small and light in weight

Aestivation

a period of inactivity during the summer months

Aggregate

to crowd together in a large group

Agriculture

the work of raising crops or livestock

Air Bladder

an air-filled sac that helps keep certain organisms, such as fish, afloat in water; also known as swim or gas bladder

Algae

a group of plant-like organisms, mainly aquatic, that lack roots, stems and leaves, and are capable of producing food using light energy

Alluvial

referring to layers of sediment deposited by flowing water

Alternate Leaves

those that are spaced at different points along each side of a stem, alternating right and left sides and not opposite each other

Alternative Crop

a crop which is new to an area or differs in production from conventional agricultural practices

Altricial

(in birds) born with eyes closed, without feathers or down, unable to walk or fly, and dependent upon parent for food; the American robin is an example of an altricial bird

Ambush Predator

an animal that attacks its prey from a motionless or concealed position

Amphibian

belonging to a group of vertebrates, or animals having a backbone, that begin life in the water and generally transform to land-dwelling adults; frogs, toads, and salamanders are examples of amphibians

Amphipod

small crustaceans which have a laterally compressed body with no carapace and belong to Order Amphipoda; scud, or sideswimmer, is an example of an amphipod

Amphiuma

a type of salamander having a long, eel-like body and two sets of very small limbs

Amplexus

reproductive behavior in which the male grasps the female with his limbs before mating; fertilization is external

Anadromous

in fish, migrating from the sea to freshwater rivers and streams in order to reproduce; salmon is an example of an anadromous fish

Anal Fin

a single fin located on the underside of a fish toward the tail

Anal Plate

the scale covering the anus, or opening through which solid waste is eliminated

Analgesic

causing an absence or deadening of pain without loss of consciousness

Antenna

a sensory organ typical of arthropods, such as insects, crayfish, and centipedes; antennae are flexible, paired, and generally detect touch and taste; antennae is the plural form of antenna

Anterior

in general, the end that contains the head or organs associated with the head; in most organisms, the anterior end is the front or forward end

Antiseptic

a substance that inhibits or prevents the growth of bacteria and other microorganisms that cause infection

Anus

an opening at the end of the digestive tract, generally opposite the mouth, through which waste passes

Appendage

an extension of the body, such as an arm, leg, tail, antennae, or fin

Apple Rust

a parasitic fungus which gets its nourishment from certain trees, such as apple, pear, and red cedar

Aquatic

living in water

Arboreal

living in or frequent visitor to trees; squirrels and raccoons are arboreal animals

Aromatic

having a fragrance

Arthropod

any of a group of animals having no backbone, a segmented body, jointed appendages that exist in pairs, and a body covering called an exoskeleton that is made of chitin; insects, crayfish, and spiders are some examples of arthropods

Asymptomatic

without signs of illness

Asynchronous

not occurring at the same time

ATV

all-terrain vehicle

Auditory

related to hearing

Avian

pertaining to a bird