| sexual preference | The biologic sex preferred in one's sexual partners. (05 Mar 2000) |
|---|---|
| assortative mating | Selection of a mate with preference for (or aversion to) a particular genotype, i.e., nonrandom mating. Synonym: nonrandom mating. (05 Mar 2000) |
| random mating | Totally haphazard mating with no regard to the genetic makeup (genotype) of the mate so that any sperm has an equal chance of fertilizing any egg. This rarely, if ever, occurs but the concept is impoortant in population genetics. Also called panmixus. (12 Dec 1998) |
| random mating equilibrium | <genetics> In a population containing the genotypes of AA, aa, and Aa, the frequency of AA will be p2, the frequency of aa will be q2, and the frequency of Aa will be 2 pq at equilibrium, where p is the frequency of A and q is the frequency of a. By the Hardy-Weinberg law, a ramdonly-mating population will eventually reach these frequencies and be at this equilibrium as long as there are no selection pressures on the population. (09 Oct 1997) |
| mating | The pairing of male and female for the purpose of reproduction. (05 Mar 2000) |
| mating isolate | A population separated from its neighbors by any means so that all or most matings occur within the population group. (05 Mar 2000) |
| mating type gene | Genes that, in Saccharomyces cerevisiae specify into which of the two mating types (a and _) a particular cell falls. Only unlike mating type haploids will fuse. The interest derives from the way in which mating type is switched, the existing gene is removed and a new gene, derived from a (silent) master copy elsewhere in the genome is spliced in. Later this gene will in its turn be replaced by a new copy of the old gene, also derived from a silent master. The a and _ genes code for pheromones that affect cells of the opposite mating type. Similar mating type genes are known from other yeasts and the switching mechanism (cassette mechanism) may be used more generally. (18 Nov 1997) |
| nonrandom mating | Selection of a mate with preference for (or aversion to) a particular genotype, i.e., nonrandom mating. Synonym: nonrandom mating. (05 Mar 2000) |
| animal | 1. An organised living being endowed with sensation and the power of voluntary motion, and also characterised by taking its food into an internal cavity or stomach for digestion; by giving carbonic acid to the air and taking oxygen in the process of respiration; and by increasing in motive power or active aggressive force with progress to maturity. 2. One of the lower animals; a brute or beast, as distinguished from man; as, men and animals. Origin: L, fr. Anima breath, soul: cf. F. Animal. See Animate. 1. Of or relating to animals; as, animal functions. 2. Pertaining to the merely sentient part of a creature, as distinguished from the intellectual, rational, or spiritual part; as, the animal passions or appetites. 3. Consisting of the flesh of animals; as, animal food. Animal magnetism. See Magnetism and Mesmerism. Animal electricity, the electricity developed in some animals, as the electric eel, torpedo, etc. <physiology> Animal flower, the heat generated in the body of a living animal, by means of which the animal is kept at nearly a uniform temperature. Animal spirits. See Spirit. Animal kingdom, the whole class of beings endowed with animal life. It embraces several subkingdoms, and under these there are Classes, Orders, Families, Genera, Species, and sometimes intermediate groupings, all in regular subordination, but variously arranged by different writers. The following are the grand divisions, or subkingdoms, and the principal classes under them, generally recognised at the present time: - Vertebrata, including Mammalia or Mammals, Aves or Birds, Reptilia, Amphibia, Pisces or Fishes, Marsipobranchiata (Craniota); and Leptocardia (Acrania). Tunicata, including the Thaliacea, and Ascidioidea or Ascidians. Articulata or Annulosa, including Insecta, Myriapoda, Malacapoda, Arachnida, Pycnogonida, Merostomata, Crustacea (Arthropoda); and Annelida, Gehyrea (Anarthropoda). Helminthes or Vermes, including Rotifera, Chaetognatha, Nematoidea, Acanthocephala, Nemertina, Turbellaria, Trematoda, Cestoidea, Mesozea. Molluscoidea, including Brachiopoda and Bryozoa. Mollusca, including Cephalopoda, Gastropoda, Pteropoda, Scaphopoda, Lamellibranchiata or Acephala. Echinodermata, including Holothurioidea, Echinoidea, Asterioidea, Ophiuroidea, and Crinoidea. Coelenterata, including Anthozoa or Polyps, Ctenophora, and Hydrozoa or Acalephs. Spongiozoa or Porifera, including the sponges. Protozoa, including Infusoria and Rhizopoda. For definitions, see these names in the Vocabulary. Origin: Cf. F. Animal. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| animal black | Charcoal produced by incomplete combustion of animal tissues, especially bone. Synonym: animal black, bone black, bone charcoal. (05 Mar 2000) |
| animal cell culture | <cell culture> Mammalian cells are fragile and harder to grow than other cell types, but their large-scale culturing is an economic boon because it allows for the production of proteins that are otherwise difficult or expensive or unethical to extract from living organisms. The cells are immobilised on a substrate and then perfused with culture medium, The cells are in a free suspension which is very gently mixed and aerated. (12 Nov 1997) |
| animal cell immobilisation | <cell culture> Animal cells are widely used in biotechnology to produce genetically engineered proteins. However, they are more fragile than bacterial cells, and immobilising the cell facilitates the fermentation process. Many animal cells stick down flat on a suitable surface, hugging it as they would hug other cells or connective matrices in the body. If grown on suitable plastic surfaces, on glass or many ceramics, these cells will stick to them. In this way, they are easier to grow. (14 Nov 1997) |
| animal charcoal | Charcoal produced by incomplete combustion of animal tissues, especially bone. Synonym: animal black, bone black, bone charcoal. (05 Mar 2000) |
| animal communication | Communication between animals involving the giving off by one individual of some chemical or physical signal, that, on being received by another, influences its behaviour. (12 Dec 1998) |
| animal dander | <immunology, zoology> The epidermis (skin) from an animal that can elicit an allergic response. (12 Nov 1997) |