Anatomy and Physiology of Animals/Glossary/E-F

A-B | C-D | E-F | G-H | I-J | K-L | M-N | O-P | Q,R,S | T,U,V,W,X,Y,Z WordMeaningEEcholocationThe use of high frequency sound like sonar and radar by animals (i.e. whales and bats) to locate objects in the surrounding environmentEffectorA muscle or gland that responds to a motor neuron impulseEgestionThe elimination of indigestible waste products from the bodyElectrolyteA compound that separates into charged particles or ionsElectron microscopeA microscope that focuses an electron beam through a specimen, resulting in resolving power a thousandfold greater than that of a light microscopeElementAny substance that cannot be broken down to any other substanceEmbryoThe young of any organism in an early stage of developmentEmulsificationThe breakdown of large fat particles to smaller ones in the presence of bileEnamelThe hard white substance covering the crown of teethEndocrine glandA ductless gland that secretes hormones into the bloodEndometriumThe inner lining of the uterusEndoplasmic reticulumThe network of membranous channels running through the cytoplasm of cellsEndotheliumThe layer of squamous epithelium that lines blood vesselsEnzymeA substance that increases the speed of a chemical reactionEosinophilA white blood cell with granules in the cytoplasmEpidermisThe thin outer layer of the skinEpididymisThe organ composed of convoluted tubules that lies on the border of the testis Where sperm matureEpiglottisThe cartilage on the top of the larynx that closes the windpipe during swallowingEpiphyseal lineThe remnant of epiphyseal plate at end of long boneEpiphyseal plateThe cartilaginous plate at the end of a long bone where bone growth occursEpiphysisThe end of a long boneEpithelial tissueTissue that forms outer part of skin, lines blood vessels, hollow organs and passages in the bodyErythrocyteA red blood cellEssential amino acidsThe 10 amino acids that can not be made by animals and must be acquired in the dietEustachian tubeThe passage connecting middle ear to pharynx. Equalises air pressure in middle and outer earEvolutionAll the changes that have transformed life on Earth from its earliest beginnings to the diversity that characterizes it todayExcretionTo cast out material from the body, cell or tissueExocrine glandA gland that secretes substances into a ductExocytosisThe discharge of substances through the plasma membraneExpirationBreathing outExtensionBending of a joint so that the angle between the bones increasesExtracellular fluidFluid outside body cellsFFacilitated diffusionDiffusion across a membrane using a carrier substanceFallopian tubeA slender tube through which eggs pass from an ovary to the uterusFatsBiological compounds consisting of three fatty acids linked to one glycerol moleculeFeedback systemThe sequence of events where information about the status of a situation is continually fed back to the central control regionFemurThe long bone between the pelvis and the kneeFertilisationPenetration of ovum by sperm and union of nucleiFetlockThe joint between the metacarpals or metatarsals and the phalanges in horseFibrinThe insoluble protein formed from fibrinogenFibrinogenThe protein in blood plasma essential for blood clottingFibulaThe lateral bone of the lower hind limbFiltrateThe fluid produced by filtration of blood in the nephronFlagellumA long hair like process e.g. tail of spermFlexionThe movement involving decreasing the angle between two bonesFluoroxylateAn anticoagulant used for biochemical tests for glucoseFoetusLater stage of development of a young animalFollicleThe cavity surrounding the developing ovumFollicle stimulating hormone (FSH)Hormone secreted by anterior pituitary gland. Stimulates development of ovarian follicleForamenA hole in a bone for passage of vessels or nervesForamen magnumThe hole at the base of the skull for passage of the spinal cordFossaA furrow or shallow depression in a boneFoveaThe area of the retina of greatest concentration of cone cells. Area of sharpest visionFunctional caecumThe enlarged large intestine and caecum occupied by cellulose digesting micro-organisms