biology-dictionary_11-06-2009

(ff) #1

Complete digestive tract
A digestive tube that runs between a mouth and an anus; also called alimentary canal. An
incomplete digestive tract has only one opening.
Complete flower
A flower that has sepals, petals, stamens, and carpels.
Complex tissues
The complex tissues include the dermal and vascular tissues of plants.
Compound
A chemical combination, in a fixed ratio, of two or more elements.
Compound eye
A type of multifaceted eye in insects and crustaceans consisting of up to several thousand
light-detecting, focusing ommatidia; especially good at detecting movement.
Compound leaf
a leaf that is composed of two or more leaflets on a common stalk. Clover, roses, sumac,
and walnut trees have compound leaves.
Concentric
Having a common center.
Concentration gradient
A regular increase of decrease in the intensity or density of a chemical substance. Cells often
maintain concentration gradients of H + ions across their membranes. When a gradient
exists, the ions or other chemical substances involved tend to move from where they are
more concentrated to where they are less concentrated.
Condensation
The process of changing from a gaseous to a liquid or solid state.
Condensation reaction
A reaction in which two molecules become covalently bonded to each other through the
loss of a small molecule, usually water; also called dehydration reaction.
Condyle
A round bump on a bone where it forms a joint with another bone.

Free download pdf