biology-dictionary_11-06-2009

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Chemoheterotroph
An organism that must consume organic molecules for both energy and carbon.
Chemoreceptor
A receptor that transmits information about the total solute concentration in a solution or
about individual kinds of molecules.
Chemosynthetic
Applied to autotrophic bacteria that use the energy released by specific inorganic reactions
to power their life processes, including the synthesis of organic molecules.
Chewing
The movements of the mandible during mastication; controlled by neuromuscular action
and limited by the anatomic structure of the temporomandibular joints.
Chiasma
The X-shaped, microscopically visible region representing homologous chromatids that have
exchanged genetic material through crossing over during meiosis.
Chitin
A structural polysaccharide of an amino sugar found in many fungi and in the exoskeletons
of all arthropods.
Chitinous
A tough, protective, semitransparent substance, primarily a nitrogen-containing
polysaccharide, forming the principal component of arthropod exoskeletons and the cell
walls of certain fungi.
Choanocyte
Any of the flagellated cells in sponges having a collar of cytoplasm around the flagellum;
they maintain a flow of water through the body.
Chlorophylls
A green pigment located within the chloroplasts of plants; chlorophyll a can participate
directly in the light reactions, which convert solar energy to chemical energy.
Chloroplast
An organelle found only in plants and photosynthetic protists that absorbs sunlight and uses
it to drive the synthesis of organic compounds from carbon dioxide and water.

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