organism
An individual life form that can react to stimuli, reproduce, grow, and maintain homeostasis. There are five main groups, or kingdoms: prokaryotes, protists, fungi, plants, and animals.
Used in 127 profiles
Results for “organism”
Ichthyological terms, not general ones.
microorganism
Organism that can be seen only with the aid of a microscope. Typically unicellular, e.g., baceria, protozoa, some algae.
Used in 94 profiles
labyrinth organ
Highly folded, vascularised, suprabranchial accessory breathing organ formed via extension of the first epibranchial bone and used to respire atmospheric oxygen. Found in all members of the freshwater fish suborder Anabantoidei.
Used in 96 profiles
organic
Of, relating to, or derived from living organisms.
Used in 583 profiles
contact organ
Dermal, bony growth or spicule normally protruding from one or more fin rays or scale margins. Present on parts of the body or fins that come into contact with the female during spawning in males of some fishes.
Used in 9 profiles
epibranchial organ
Present in some microphagous fishes and comprises a paired dorsal diverticulum located towards the posterior of the pharynx. In the majority of species it's divided into two sections by additional gill rakers which trap small food particles.
foam fractionation
Chemical process whereby hydrophobic molecules are removed from a liquid via rising columns of foam, e.g., the process of organic-waste removal taking place within a protein skimmer.
decomposition
Natural, ecological process in which organic material is broken down into simpler substances which may then be used by other organisms. Typically biotic and carried out by microbes, worms, and other organisms but can also be abiotic and occur via chemical or physical processes such as oxidation or hydrolysis.
Used in 204 profiles
epithelium
Refers to layers of cells that line hollow organs and glands or make up the outer surface of the body. Epithelial cells help to protect or enclose organs and most produce mucus or other secretions. They're arranged in single or multiple layers, depending on the organ and location.
Used in 24 profiles
plankton
Any organism, or more typically, collection of organisms drifting freely in a body of water. Used in reference to both microscopic, e.g. algae, fish larvae, and larger, e.g. jellyfish, organisms.
Used in 15 profiles
bacteria
Large group of prokaryotic microorganisms representing one of the three domains of living organisms. Present in the majority of Earth's habitats as well as organic matter and the bodies of live animals. Most are harmless, some beneficial and others pathogenic.
Used in 14 profiles
biochemistry
The chemical composition of an organism, living system or biological entity; the study of chemical substances and processes occurring within living organisms.
biotic
Consisiting of, associated with or derived from living organisms. Biotic factors in an environment include the organisms themselves plus predation, competition and other interrelationships.
chimaera
An organism, organ or body part containing genetic tissue of more than one type due to mutation, transplant, genetic engineering, etc.. Also spelled 'chimera'.
cladistics
Taxonomical method used to classify species of organisms into clades, each of which contains an ancestor organism and all its descendants, based on synapomorphies (shared derived characters). Cladistic classifications are usually presented in the form of a cladogram.
community
A group of organisms or populations coexisting and interacting with one another in a given region under relatively similar environmental conditions. The different organisms influence each other's abundance, distribution, and evolutionary adaptation.
Used in 875 profiles
crossbreed
An organism with parents of two different breeds, races, varieties, or species; the process involved in producing such an organism.
Used in 2 profiles
decomposer
Organism feeding on dead or decaying material aiding the natural process of decomposition by breaking down organic substances which subsequently become nutrients.
detritus
In biology, organic debris most often formed via the decomposition of organisms.
Used in 205 profiles
ex-situ
The study or maintenance of an organism or groups of organisms outside of the natural habitat