Glossary Variables Header1

ECOLOGY ▪ SCIENCE ▪ EDUCATION

Indiana Nature Biology Glossary

Browse by Letter

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
BIB



A

Acuminate: Tapering to a point


Illustration of an acuminate leaf
Acuminate leaf


Alternate Leaves: An arrangement of leaves and buds that occur in succession along a branch, one per node. (See also opposite leaves and whorled leaves).


Illustration of a branch with alternate leaves
Alternate leaves on Asian bittersweet (Celastrus orbiculatus)


Ament: (See catkin)


Animal: Any member of the kingdom Animalia. Animals are heterotrophic, multicellular organisms. They lack the rigid cellular walls found in plants and fungi, which allows for motility and a variable physical structure and cell specialization. Nearly all animals can reproduce sexually, consume organic material, and breathe oxygen.


Antemedial (AM) Line: In Lepidoptera, a wing line that, when present, is located immediately before the median line and typically about one-quarter to one-third of the distance between the base of the wing and the outer margin.

illustration of antemedial line

Antedmedial line on large lace-border moth (Scopula limboundata)


Antennae: Plural of antenna, in arthropods, paired, segmented, sensory organs attached to the head. The form and function of antennae vary with the organism, who may use them for touch, smell, reproduction, motility, or other purposes.


photo of antennae
Clubbed antennae on an eastern comma butterfly (Polygonia comma)


Anther: In flowering plants, the terminal portion of the stamen, which bears the pollen.

illustration of stamen with anther

Illustration of stamen showing anther


Apex: In botany, the tip or top of a structure. In zoology, the outermost point of an insect's wing.


illustration of apex
Apex of the wing of a regal moth (Citheronia regalis)


Apical Bud: See terminal bud.


Axial Bud: See lateral bud.


Axis: See rachis.