Emulsify

Emulsify

Emulsify Definition Emulsification, or to emulsify something, is defined as the mixing of two liquids that usually are unmixable together to form an emulsion. Two liquids can form different types of emulsions depending on which liquid was dispersed in which, with one liquid being the dispersed phase and the other being the external phase, which … Read more

Anabolism

Anabolism

Anabolism Definition Anabolism collectively refers to all the processes of chemical reactions that build larger molecules out of smaller molecules or atoms; these processes are also known as anabolic processes or anabolic pathways. The opposite of anabolism is catabolism, the set of processes that breaks down larger molecules into smaller ones.  Anabolism and catabolism are … Read more

Alimentary Canal

Alimentary Canal

Alimentary Canal Definition The alimentary canal is a continuous passage starting from the mouth and ending at the anus, which carries food through different parts of the digestive system and allows waste to exit the body. The alimentary canal varies widely in organism, but is only seen in organism which are bilaterally symmetrical. Various sections … Read more

Experimental Group

Experimental Group

Experimental Group Definition In a comparative experiment, the experimental group (aka the treatment group) is the group being tested for a reaction to a change in the variable. There may be experimental groups in a study, each testing a different level or amount of the variable.  The other type of group, the control group, can … Read more

Animal-like, Fungus-like, and Plant-like Protists

Animal-like, Fungus-like, and Plant-like Protists

Protists are a diverse group of eukaryotic organisms belonging to Kingdom Protista. There are few similarities between individual members of this Kingdom, as it includes all the eukaryotes that are not animals, plants, or fungi. Most protists are microscopic and unicellular, though a few species are multicellular. Typically, protists reproduce asexually, though some are capable … Read more

Water Potential

Water Potential

Water Potential Definition Keeping both temperature and pressure constant, water potential is the potential energy of water in a system. In a particular system or environment, it is also a measure of the freedom with which water molecules can move. The unit of measure is kilopascals (kPa) and is represented by the Greek letter Psi … Read more

What’s a Double Major?

Double Major

You may have heard the term “double major” while researching different college majors. This essentially means pursuing two degrees simultaneously. Unlike pursuing a minor (which requires completing approximately 18 credit hours), pursuing a double major requires all the courses and credits you would need to earn the full degree. Let’s explore this further. What is … Read more

Cytosol

Cytosol

Cytosol Definition The cytosol is the liquid found inside cells. Water-based solution in which organelles, proteins, and other cell structures float. In every cell, the cytosol is a complex solution, whose properties enable life to function. Proteins, amino acids, mRNA, ribosomes, sugars, ions, messenger molecules, and more are all found in the cytosol! In recent … Read more

Germination

Germination

Germination Definition Germination refers to the process by which an organism grows from a seed or a spore. The most common forms of germination include a seed sprouting to form a seedling and the formation of a sporeling from a spore. Thus, germination occurs primarily in plant and fungal species. Germination Process The process of … Read more