biology-dictionary_11-06-2009

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Social dominance
A hierarchical pattern of social organization involving domination of some members of a
group by other members in a relatively orderly and long-lasting pattern.
Society
An organization of individuals of the same species in which there are divisions of resources,
divisions of labor, and mutual dependence; a society is held together by stimuli exchanged
among members of the group.
Sociobiology
The study of social behavior based on evolutionary theory.
Sodium-potassium pump
A special transport protein in the plasma membrane of animal cells that transports sodium
out of and potassium into the cell against their concentration gradients.
Solids
Of definite shape and volume; not liquid or gaseous.
Solitary
Existing, living, or going without others; alone.
Solute
A substance that is dissolved in a solution.
Solution
A homogeneous, liquid mixture of two or more substances.solvent The dissolving agent of a
solution. Water is the most versatile solvent known.
Somatic cell
Any cell in a multicellular organism except a sperm or egg cell.
Somatic (body) chromosomes
Any chromosome that is not a sex chromosome; appear in pairs in body cells but as single
chromosomes in spermatozoa.
Somatic division
The process of cell division in sexually reproducing organisms that reduces the number of
chromosomes in reproductive cells from diploid to haploid, leading to the production of
gametes in animals and spores in plants.

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