| morpho | 1. <entomology> Any one of numerous species of large, handsome, tropical American butterflies, of the genus Morpho. They are noted for the very brilliant metallic luster and bright colours (often blue) of the upper surface of the wings. The lower surface is usually brown or gray, with eyelike spots. Origin: NL, fr. Gr, an epithet of Venus. 2. <prefix> Meaning form, shape, structure. Origin: G. Morphe Source: Websters Dictionary (21 Jun 2000) |
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| morphogen | <embryology> Diffusible substance that carries information relating, for example: to position in the embryo and thus determines the differentiation that cells perceiving this information will undergo. (18 Nov 1997) |
| morphogenesis | <cell biology> The process of shape formation: the processes that are responsible for producing the complex shapes of adults from the simple ball of cells that derives from division of the fertilized egg. (18 Nov 1997) |
| morphogenetic | Relating to morphogenesis. (05 Mar 2000) |
| morphogenetic movement | <embryology> Movements of cells or of groups of cells in the course of development. Thus the invagination of cells in gastrulation is one of the most dramatic of morphogenetic movements, another much studied example is the migration of neural crest cells. (21 Jun 2000) |
| morphogeny | <biology> History of the evolution of forms; that part of ontogeny that deals with the germ history of forms; distinguished from physiogeny. Origin: form + root of to be born. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| morphologic | <biology> Of, pertaining to, or according to, the principles of morphology. Morpholog"ically. Origin: Cf. F. Morphologique. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| morphologic element | Any anatomical unit, such as a cell. Synonym: morphologic element. (05 Mar 2000) |
| morphological | <biology> Of, pertaining to, or according to, the principles of morphology. Morpholog"ically. Origin: Cf. F. Morphologique. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| morphological adaptation | <ecology> A structural feature that aids in fitting a species to its particular environment (for example, buttressed bases, adventitious roots and aerenchymous tissue). (09 Oct 1997) |
| morphological features | Properties related to the external structure of soil (such as colour and texture) or of plants. (09 Oct 1997) |
| morphologist | <biology> One who is versed in the science of morphology. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| morphology | <study> A study of the configuration or the structure of animals and plants. (27 Sep 1997) |
| morphometric | Pertaining to morphometry. (05 Mar 2000) |
| morphometry | <technique> Method that involves measurement of shape. A variety of methods exist to enable one to examine, for example: the distribution of objects in a 2 D section of a cell and then to use this to predict the shapes and the distribution of these objects in three dimensions. (18 Nov 1997) |