Glossary

membrane

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Thin, usually flexible layer of tissue covering, lining, separating, or connecting cells or parts of an organism.

Used in 67 species profiles

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Related terms

arthrobranch
A decapod gill associated with the articular membrane between the coxa of an appendage and the body.
branchiostegal membrane
The membrane, sometimes referred to as the gill membrane, connecting the branchiostegal rays and enclosing the ventral portion of the branchial cavity. Normally extended when the opercle of a fish is open, sealing the branchial cavity and creating a vacuum in the mouth, and also used during threat, courtship and other communicative behaviours in many species.
dermal bone
Bone-type ossifying directly from connective tissue membranes and thus lacking a cartilaginous predecessor. Tend to be more numerous in primitive fish forms.
ectopterygoid
A membrane, paired, bone in the upper jaw, located ventrally on the skull. Some fishes, such as serrasalmids, possess small tooth-like projections known as ectopterygoid teeth on this bone.
eukaryotic
A single-celled or multicellular organism possessing cells containing a membrane-bound nucleus.
eyed egg
A fish egg within which the embryo has developed to a point whereby the eyes are visible through the external membrane.
frenum
A connecting or restraining membrane, such as that connecting the tongue to the base of the mouth.
gill
Respiratory organ of fishes and some other aquatic organisms comprising a highly-vascularised membrane or outgrowth.
integument
Outer protective covering, e.g., the skin of an organism or the membrane enclosing an organ.
interradial membrane
The membrane connecting fin rays and spines in fishes.
lamella
Thin layer, plate, scale, or membrane of bone or other tissue.
lamina
A thin layer of bone, membrane, or other tissue.
membranous
Relating to, composed of or similar to a membrane.
mucus
Slimy, viscous substance used as a protective lubricant. Secreted by mucous membranes.
prokaryote
Normally unicellular organisms possessing cells without a membrane-bound nucleus.
prokaryotic
Possessing cells without membrane-bound nuclei. Typical in bacteria and cyanobacteria.
ray
Any of the bony spines supporting the membrane of a fish's fin including both spines and soft rays.
reverse osmosis
Form of purification, often abbreviated to RO, that removes dissolved salts and other impurities from water by applying pressure to it on one side of a semipermeable membrane. Pure water molecules are able to pass through the membrane while the majority of others are not, with more-or-less pure water the result. Sometimes used in combination with deionisation to remove additional mineral ions. Pure water can be harmful to fishes and is normally remineralised to some degree using proprietary products.
ridge
In morphology, an elongate, raised strip, margin or border on a bone, tooth, tissue membrane, etc.
villus
In biology, a minute, hairlike process present on certain membranes, such as the mucous membrane in the small intestine of many vertebrates. Typically has a sensory or absorptive function.

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