Science terms starting with G

542 terms

  1. Genomics (jeh-NOH-miks) The study of the complete genetic material, including genes and their functions, of an organism.
  2. Genotype The structure of DNA that determines the expression of a trait. See Phenotype.
  3. Genus A category including closely related species. Interbreeding between organisms within the same category can occur.
  4. GEO Genetically engineered organism.
  5. Geocentric A model of the universe, believed by Aristotle, and Ptolemy which puts the earth at the center.
  6. Geoglyphs Ground markings of a figure or shape produced by the clearing or alignment of stones.
  7. Geographic air basin : A land area with generally similar meteorological and geographic conditions throughout.
  8. Geographic Information System (GIS) A set of computer tools and procedures used to collect, manage, analyze and display information associated with a specific location; a computerized…
  9. Geohydrology Geological study of the character, source, and mode of ground water.
  10. Geology The science that deals with the study of the materials, processes, environments, and history of the Earth, including the rocks and their formation and…
  11. Geomagnetic Elements In solar-terrestrial terms, the components of the geomagnetic field at the surface of the earth.
  12. Geomagnetic Field The magnetic field observed in and around the earth. The intensity of the magnetic field at the earth's surface is approximately 0.
  13. Geomagnetic Storm In solar-terrestraial terms, a worldwide disturbance of the earth's magnetic field, distinct from regular diurnal variations.
  14. Geometric spreading As the sound moves away from the source, the area that the sound energy covers becomes larger and thus sound intensity decreases.
  15. Geometries Models of the curvature of the universe in which the laws of geometry are like those that would apply on flat, spherical, or saddle-shaped surfaces.
  16. Geomorphic Pertaining to those processes that affect the form or shape of the surface of the earth.
  17. Geomorphology Geological study of the configuration, characteristics, origin, and evolution of land forms and earth features.
  18. Geophysical Events In solar-terrestrial terms, flares (Importance two or larger) with Centimetric Outbursts (maximum of the flux higher than the Quiet Sun flux, duration…
  19. geophysical focus areas Six identified focus areas for ARM's data collection and research activities. These focus areas are shortwave radiation, longwave radiation, clouds…
  20. Geophysics Refers to the physics of the earth, e.g., seismology, oceanography, volcanology, geomagnetism, etc.
  21. Geopotential Height The height above sea level of a pressure level. For example, if a station reports that the 500 mb height at its location is 5600 m, it means that the…
  22. Geopressurized Brines These brines are hot (300 F to 400 F) (149 C to 204 C) pressurized waters that contain dissolved methane and lie at depths of 10,000 ft (3048 m) to more…
  23. Geosphere The soils, sediments, and rock layers of the Earth's crust, both continental and beneath the ocean floors.
  24. Geostationary Orbiting Environmental Satellite (GOES) Satellite orbiting at 22,000 miles above the earth's surface that remains above the same location on the earth.
  25. Geostationary Satellite A satellite that rotates at the same rate as the earth, remaining over the same spot above the equator.
  26. geostraphic wind A theoretical horizontal wind blowing in a straight path, parallel to the isobars or contours, at a constant speed.
  27. Geostrophic Wind A wind that is affected by coriolis force, blows parallel to isobars and whose strength is related to the pressure gradient (i.e., spacing of the isobars).
  28. Geosynchronous Refers to an orbit (about 22,300 miles above Earth’s surface) with a period equal to one day.
  29. Geotechnical Refers to the use of scientific methods and engineering principles to acquire, interpret, and apply knowledge of earth materials for solving engineering…
  30. Geotextile mats Permeable fabrics that interact with soils in manners used to reinforce soil surfaces for erosion, as well as act as filters for water, solutes, and fine…
  31. Geotextiles Any fabric or textile (natural or synthetic) used as an engineering material in conjunction with soil, foundations, or rock.
  32. Geothermal energy Energy produced by the internal heat of the earth; geothermal heat sources include: hydrothermal convective systems; pressurized water reservoirs; hot dry…
  33. Geothermal generating plant A plant in which the prime mover is a steam turbine. The turbine is driven either by steam produced from hot water or by natural steam that derives its…
  34. Geothermal Heat Pump A type of heat pump that uses the ground, ground water, or ponds as a heat source and heat sink, rather than outside air.
  35. Geothermal Power Station An electricity generating facility that uses geothermal energy.
  36. Geothermal resources Typically underground reservoirs of hot water or steam created by heat from the Earth, but also include subsurface areas of dry hot rock.
  37. geotropism A growth curvature induced by gravity. Synonym: gravitropism.
  38. germ 1.The botanical term for a plant embryo. 2. Colloquial: a disease-causing micro-organism.
  39. Germ cell Reproductive cell. See Somatic cell.
  40. Germ cell (germ line) gene therapy The repair or re- placement of a defective gene within the gamete-forming tissues, which produces a heritable change in an organism's genetic constitution.
  41. germ cell gene therapy The repair or replacement of a defective gene within the gamete-forming tissues, resulting in a heritable change in an organism's genetic constitution.
  42. Germ cells (or primordial germ cells) A gamete, that is, a sperm or egg, OR a primordial cell that can mature into a sperm or egg.
  43. germ layer The layers of cells in an animal embryo at the gastrula stage, from which the various organs of the animal's body will be derived.
  44. Germ layers The three germ layers are the endoderm, mesoderm and ectoderm and are the three precursory tissue layers of the early, primitive embryo (which form at…
  45. germ line A lineage of cells which, during the development of an organism, are set aside as potential gamete-forming tissues.
  46. germ line cell See: germ cell.
  47. Germ line gene therapy The delivery of a gene or genes to a fertilized egg or an early embryonic cell.
  48. Germ line genetic mutation See: mutation
  49. germicide Any chemical agent used to control or kill any pathogenic and non-pathogenic micro-organisms.
  50. germinal epithelium 1. A layer of epithelial cells on the surface of the ovary that are continuous with the mesothelium. 2.
  51. germination 1. The initial stages in the growth of a seed to form a seedling. 2. The growth of spores (fungal or algal) and pollen grains.
  52. Germline cells Cells that contain inherited material that comes from the eggs and sperm, and that are passed on to offspring.
  53. germplasm 1. An individual, group of individuals or a clone representing a genotype, variety, species or culture, held in an in situ or ex situ collection. 2.
  54. Gestation The period between conception (fertilization of the egg ) to parturition (birth) spent in utero by the foetus of viviparous animals.
  55. GF Ground Fog- Fog produced over the land by the cooling of the lower atmosphere as it comes in contact with the ground.
  56. GFP Abbreviation for green fluorescent protein.
  57. GFS (Global Forecast System) One of the operational forecast models run at NCEP. The GFS is run four times daily, with forecast output out to 384 hours.
  58. GH Abbreviation for growth hormone.
  59. GHGs See Greenhouse gases
  60. Ghost See Bit Stream Back-up.
  61. Giant salvinia (Salvinia molesta) An aquatic fern prohibited in the United States by Federal law. An invasive, rapidly growing plant that covers the surfaces of lakes and streams forming…
  62. gibberellins A class of plant growth regulators which are active in the elongation, enhancement of flower, fruit and leaf size, germination, vernalization and other…
  63. Gigawatt (GW) A unit of power equal to 1 billion Watts; 1 million kilowatts, or 1,000 megawatts.
  64. Gigawatt-hour (GWh) One billion watthours of electrical energy.
  65. Gin Pole A pole used to assist in raising a tower.
  66. Girdling Killing a tree by removing a strip of bark from around its trunk.
  67. GIS See Geographic information system
  68. GISP2 Greenland Ice Sheet Project 2, the second phase of an effort by a group of scientists to produce long records of climate by drilling at the summit of the…
  69. glacial a time interval characterized by widespread glacial ice, see also "Ice Age".
  70. Glacial moraine A mass of loose rock, soil, and earth deposited by the edge of a glacier.
  71. Glacial striations Lines carved into rock by overriding ice, showing the direction of glacial movement.
  72. Glacial till An unsorted, unstratified mixture of fine and coarse rock debris deposited by a glacier.
  73. Glaciation The transformation of cloud particles from water drops to ice crystals. Thus, a cumulonimbus cloud is said to have a "glaciated" upper portion.
  74. Glacier Bodies of land ice that consist of recrystallized snow accumulated on the surface of the ground, and that move slowly downslope.
  75. Glacier (ice sheet) A large thick mass of ice formed on land by the compacting and recrystallization of old snow and move under the influence of gravity.
  76. Glacier Dammed Lake The lake formed when a glacier flows across the mouth of an adjoining valley and forms an ice dam.
  77. Glacier Wind A shallow downslope wind above the surface of a glacier, caused by the temperature difference between the air in contact with the glacier and the free air…
  78. gland An organ that makes one or more substances, such as hormones, digestive juices, sweat, tears, saliva, or milk.
  79. Glare The excessive brightness from a direct light source that makes it difficult to see what one wishes to see.
  80. Glauber's Salt A salt, sodium sulfate decahydrate, that melts at 90 degrees Fahrenheit; a component of eutectic salts that can be used for storing heat.
  81. glaucous A surface with a waxy, white coating. In most cases, this waxy covering can be rubbed off.
  82. Glaze Ice formed by freezing precipitation covering the ground or exposed objects.
  83. Glazing The material, usually glass, that fills spaces between sash members (rails, stiles and muntins), commonly referred to as panes or lights.
  84. GLF (Open Lakes Forecast) - A National Weather Service marine forecast product for the U.S.
  85. Glia The nonneuronal or supporting tissue (neuroglia) of the brain and spinal cord.
  86. Glial cells (glee'-ul sells) branched cells that make up the supporting structure of the nervous (brain & spinal cord) tissue.
  87. Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) A structural protein specifically produced by astrocytes. GFAP is often used as a marker of astrocytes.
  88. Glint A momentary flash of light resulting from a spatially localized reflection of sunlight. See also Glare
  89. Global Forecast System (GFS)- One of the operational forecast models run at NCEP. The GFS is run four times daily, with forecast output out to 384 hours.
  90. Global Insolation (or Solar Radiation) The total diffuse and direct insolation on a horizontal surface, averaged over a specified period of time.
  91. Global Observing System Global Observing System (GOS) Global network of observational stations which is the coordinated system of methods, techniques and facilities for making…
  92. Global Positioning System (GPS) A navigation system which uses a constellation of artificial earth satellites to make precise determinations of the latitude and longitude of locations on…
  93. Global positioning systems (GPS) Space-based radio positioning systems that provide 24-hour, three-dimensional position, velocity, and time information to suitably equipped users anywhere…
  94. Global Telecommunication System Global Telecommunication System (GTS) The coordinated global system of telecommunication facilities and arrangements for the rapid collection, exchange…
  95. Global Temperature Change The net result of four primary factors including the greenhouse effect, changes in incoming solar radiation, altered patterns of ocean circulations, and…
  96. Global Warming A popular term used to describe the increase in average global temperatures due to the greenhouse effect.
  97. Global Warming Potential (GWP) Global Warming Potential (GWP) is defined as the cumulative radiative forcing effects of a gas over a specified time horizon resulting from the emission…
  98. Globex (GW) The electronic trading platform for the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME). Since Sept.
  99. Globular Clusters A collection of hundreds of thousands of old stars held together by gravity.
  100. globulins Common class of proteins in blood, eggs and milk, and seeds. Characterized by their slight solubility in water but are freely soluble in dilute salt…