Biology

Operon is a unit of bacterial gene regulation in which a cluster of genes is transcribed together as a single mRNA under the control of a promoter and operator. This regulatory system enables coordinated expression of related genes, typically in response to environmental cues. The term encompasses both the structural genes and the regulatory sequences that govern their transcription.

A cell organelle containing enzymes that catalyze reactions to break down fatty acids and detoxify harmful substances; peroxisomes are bounded by a single membrane and contain enzymes for redox reactions. They play a key role in lipid metabolism and reactive oxygen species detoxification, contributing to cellular homeostasis in eukaryotic cells. The term blends 'peroxide' and 'somes' from ancient Greek roots describing their function and structure.

Phagocytosis is a cellular process in which a cell engulfs and digests solid particles, bacteria, or debris. It involves membrane extension (phagocytic pseudopodia), engulfment of the target, and digestion within lysosomes. The term is used in microbiology and immunology to describe a key mechanism of innate immunity and cellular clearance.

Phenotype refers to the observable physical or biochemical characteristics of an organism, produced by the interaction of its genotype with the environment. It encompasses traits such as height, eye color, and enzyme activity, and can vary with development and conditions. In genetics, phenotype is contrasted with genotype, the organism’s underlying genetic makeup. 2-4 sentences, 50-80 words max.

Pheromone is a small chemical signal emitted by animals to influence the behavior or physiology of others of the same species. In humans it’s used metaphorically to describe a subtle chemical cue. The term combines pher- (bearing) with -omone (smell), signaling its role as a smell-based messenger.

Phloem is a vascular tissue in plants that conducts organic nutrients, primarily sugar, from photosynthetic tissues to other parts of the plant. It consists of living cells and works alongside xylem to support nutrient transport and storage. In contrast to xylem, phloem transport can be bidirectional and is driven by pressure-flow mechanisms.

Phosphodiesterase is a class of enzymes that catalyze the hydrolysis of phosphodiester bonds, notably in cyclic nucleotides such as cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP, regulating intracellular signaling. They are crucial in modulating biological processes by turning off signaling cascades. The term is most often used in biochemistry and pharmacology contexts.

A phospholipid is a lipid molecule that forms a lipid bilayer in cell membranes, consisting of a glycerol backbone linked to two fatty acid tails and a phosphate-containing head. It is amphipathic, with hydrophobic tails and a hydrophilic head, enabling membrane structure and function. This class of molecules is essential for cellular barriers, signaling, and membrane dynamics.

A photosystem is a protein–pigment complex in plants, algae, and some bacteria that captures light energy and initiates the first steps of photosynthesis by transferring electrons through an electron transport chain. It comprises reaction center chlorophyll, accessory pigments, and pigments arranged to optimize light absorption. In plants, two photosystems cooperate in the photosynthetic light reactions, driving the conversion of light to chemical energy.

Phylogeny is the evolutionary history and relationships among organisms or genes, typically depicted as a branching tree. It reflects how lineages diverge over time and indicates common ancestry. In biology and anthropology, phylogeny helps trace the origin and relatedness of species or genetic sequences, informing classifications and evolutionary hypotheses.

Pinocytosis is a cellular process in which small particles are ingested by the cell via vesicles formed from the plasma membrane. It is a form of endocytosis focused on liquid uptake and solute-containing droplets. The term emphasizes cellular intake of fluids rather than large solid particles, often occurring continually and at varying rates in different cell types.

A plasmid is a small, circular piece of DNA found mainly in bacteria and some yeasts, capable of independent replication within a host cell. It often carries genes that confer advantageous traits, such as antibiotic resistance. In molecular biology, plasmids are widely used as vectors for gene cloning and genetic engineering due to their well-characterized replication and easy manipulation.

Plastid is a membranous organelle within plant and algal cells, often involved in storage or photosynthesis-related activities. It is a distinct cellular component derived from proplastids, with roles including pigment synthesis and energy metabolism. The term is used in biology and biochemistry contexts, typically in expert discourse about cell structure and function.

Platelet is a small, disc-shaped cell fragment in blood that participates in clotting and wound repair. It originates from larger megakaryocytes and circulates in the bloodstream, forming clots to seal injuries. The term also appears in scientific contexts to describe tiny, cell-like particles in various systems.

A long noun referring to a lung disease caused by inhaling very fine silica dust. The term is primarily used as a technical, rarely-used word, often cited as one of the longest words in English. It denotes a specific, severe pneumoconiosis resulting from silica exposure.

Polyadenylate is a chemical process that adds a tail of adenine nucleotides to the 3' end of a RNA transcript, forming a poly(A) tail. The term also describes the enzyme-mediated action or the resulting RNA tail itself. It’s used primarily in molecular biology, biochemistry, and genetics contexts to discuss mRNA stability, transport, and translation efficiency.

A polymerase is an enzyme that synthesizes long chains of nucleotides from a nucleic acid template, typically DNA or RNA. It plays a central role in replication, transcription, and repair, using nucleotide substrates to build complementary strands. In biology, polymerases vary by function (e.g., DNA polymerase, RNA polymerase) and fidelity, influencing genetic information propagation and mutation rates.

polyploidy is a genetic condition in which a cell or organism has more than two complete sets of chromosomes. It is common in plants and can result from genome duplication events; polyploidy can influence traits such as size and vigor. The term is mainly used in biology and genetics contexts and is pronounced with focus on syllables that stress the third syllable. Overall, it refers to multiple complete chromosome sets in an organism.