Science terms starting with S

1,372 terms

  1. Solar Thermal Systems Solar energy systems that collect or absorb solar energy for useful purposes. Can be used to generate high temperature heat (for electricity production…
  2. Solar Time The period marked by successive crossing of the earth's meridian by the sun; the hour angle of the sun at a point of observance (apparent time) is…
  3. Solar tracking The solar panels can be swiveled using the electric motors to follow the path of the sun exactly in the course of the day to maximize the yields.
  4. Solar Transmittance The amount of solar energy that passes through a glazing material, expressed as a percentage.
  5. Solar Trough Systems (see also Parabolic Trough, above) A type of solar thermal system where sunlight is concentrated by a curved reflector onto a pipe containing a working fluid that can be used for process…
  6. Solar Two Solar Two is a retrofit of the Solar One project (see above). It is demonstrating the technical feasibility and power potential of a solar power tower…
  7. Solar Ultraviolet Irradiance The amount of energy released from the Sun in the ultraviolet portion of the spectrum at wavelengths shorter than 400 nm.
  8. solar variability changes in the amount of radiation emitted by the sun due to the sun's internal dynamics.
  9. Solar Wind A stream of plasma coming out of the Sun in all directions at very high speeds—an average of about 400 km/sec, or a million mph.
  10. Solarium A glazed structure, such as greenhouse or "sunspace."
  11. Sole source aquifer An aquifer that supplies 50 percent or more of the drinking water of an area.
  12. Solenoid An electromechanical device composed of a coil of wire wound around a cylinder containing a bar or plunger, that when a current is applied to the coil…
  13. Solenoid Valve An automatic valve that is opened or closed by an electromagnet.
  14. Solid Fuels Any fuel that is in solid form, such as wood, peat, lignite, coal, and manufactured fuels such as pulverized coal, coke, charcoal, briquettes, pellets…
  15. Solid head buttress dam A buttress dam in which the upstream end of each buttress is enlarged to span the gap between buttresses.
  16. solid medium Nutrient medium solidified by the addition of a gelling agent, commonly agar.
  17. Solid waste All unwanted, abandoned, or discarded solid or semisolid material whether or not subject to decomposition, originating from any source.
  18. Solidity In reference to a wind energy conversion device, the ratio of rotor blade surface area to the frontal, swept area that the rotor passes through.
  19. SOLN Solution
  20. SOLNS solutions
  21. Solstice The two times of the year when the sun is apparently farthest north and south of the earth's equator; usually occurring on or around June 21 (summer…
  22. Solvent extraction A method of separation used to purify vegetable oils.
  23. somaclonal variation Epigenetic or genetic changes induced during the callus phase of plant cells cultured in vitro.
  24. somatic (soh-MA-tik) Having to do with the body.
  25. Somatic cell (soh-MA-tik ...) Any of the body cells except the reproductive (germ) cells.
  26. somatic cell embryogenesis The process of differentiation of somatic embryos either from explant cells (direct embryogenesis), or from callus generated from explants (indirect…
  27. Somatic cell gene therapy The repair or replacement of a defective gene within somatic tissue. (See Somatic cell.)
  28. Somatic cell genetic mutation A change in the genetic structure that is neither inherited nor passed to offspring. Also called acquired mutations. See also: germ line genetic mutation
  29. somatic cell hybrid panel A panel of cells created by cell fusion, typically involving a reference species (e.g. hamster) and the species of interest (e.g.
  30. Somatic cell nuclear transfer A technique in which the nucleus of a somatic cell (any cell of the body except sperm cells and egg cells) is injected, or transfered, into an egg, that…
  31. Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer (SCNT) A method of cloning: transfer of the nucleus from a donor somatic cell into an enucleated egg to produce a cloned embryo.
  32. somatic cell variant A somatic cell with unique characters not present in the other cells, and which could be selected for by an appropriate screen.
  33. Somatic cells Cells of body tissues other than the germline.
  34. somatic embryo An organized embryo -like structure. Although morphologically similar to a zygotic embryo it is initiated from somatic plant cells.
  35. somatic hybridization Naturally occurring or induced fusion of somatic protoplasts or cells of two genetically different parents. The difference may be as wide as interspecific.
  36. somatic hypermutation The high frequency of mutation that occurs in the gene segments encoding the variable regions of immunoglobulins during the differentiation of B…
  37. somatic reduction Halving of the chromosomal number of somatic cells; a possible method of producing "haploids" from somatic cells and calli by artificial means.
  38. Somatic stem cells Non-embryonic stem cells that are not derived from gametes (egg or sperm cells).
  39. somatocrinin Growth hormone-releasing hormone. See: growth hormone.
  40. Somatostatin Growth hormone-inhibiting hormone. See: growth hormone.
  41. Somatotrophin See Human growth hormone.
  42. somatotropin (SOH-muh-toh-TROH-pin) A protein made by the pituitary gland that helps control body growth and the use of glucose and fat in the body.
  43. Somite One of the longitudinal series of segments into which the body of many animals (including vertebrates) is divided. (Merriam-Webster on line)
  44. sonication Disruption of cells or DNA molecules by high frequency sound waves.
  45. SOO Science and Operations Officer
  46. SOS response The synthesis of a whole set of DNA repair, recombination and replication proteins in bacteria suffering severe DNA damage (e.g.
  47. sounding A set of data measuring the vertical structure of an atmospheric parameter (temperature, humidity, pressure, winds, etc.) at a given time.
  48. Source Any place or object from which air pollutants are released. Sources that are fixed in space are stationary sources and sources that move are mobile…
  49. source DNA The DNA from an organism that contains a target gene, and used as the starting material in a cloning experiment.
  50. Source Emission Reduction Plan (SERP) A contingency plan developed to reduce emissions during an air quality emergency.
  51. source organism A bacterium, plant or animal from which DNA is purified and used in a cloning experiment.
  52. Source Water Assessment Plan (SWAP) A requirement of the 1996 amendments to the federal Safe Drinking Water Act that an assessment and protection plan be developed for each surface water…
  53. Southern blot A nitrocellulose or nylon membrane to which DNA fragments previously separated by gel electrophoresis, have been transferred by capillary action.
  54. Southern blotting See Southern hybridization.
  55. Southern Great Plains (SGP) site The first of the ARM research sites, the SGP site is located in south Kansas and north Oklahoma.
  56. Southern hybridization A procedure in which a cloned, labelled segment of DNA is hybridized to DNA restriction fragments on a Southern blot.
  57. Southern hybridization (Southern blotting) A procedure in which DNA restriction fragments are transferred from an agarose gel to a nitrocellulose filter, where the denatured DNA is then hybridized…
  58. Southern Oscillation (SO) - a "see-saw" in surface pressure in the tropical Pacific characterized by simultaneously opposite sea level pressure anomalies at Tahiti, in the…
  59. Southern Oscillation Index A numerical index measuring the state of the Southern Oscillation. The SOI is based on the (atmospheric) pressure difference between Tahiti and Darwin…
  60. Southwest Regional Gap Analysis Project (SWReGAP) The Southwest Regional Gap Analysis Project is an update of the Gap Analysis Program's mapping and assessment of biodiversity for the five-state region…
  61. Space Environment Center (SEC) - This center provides real-time monitoring and forecasting of solar and geophysical events, conducts research in solar-terrestrial physics, and…
  62. Space Heater A movable or fixed heater used to heat individual rooms.
  63. Space Weather Refers to conditions on the Sun, in the solar wind, and in Earth’s space (magnetic field, ionosphere, and thermosphere) that can influence space- and…
  64. Spacer (Window) Strips of material used to separate multiple panes of glass within the windows.
  65. spacer sequence A DNA sequence separating neighbouring genes; spacer sequences are not usually transcribed.
  66. Spacetime The theory of relativity says that time cannot be treated absolutely separately from space, only in one observer's relative view.
  67. Spacing In blasting, the distance between holes in a row. Apparent spacing is the spacing as outlined by the delay pattern.
  68. Spalling (spall) The loss of surface concrete usually caused by impact, abrasion, or compression. To break off from a surface in sheets or pieces.
  69. SPAR Abbreviation for single primer amplification reaction.
  70. sparger A device that introduces, into a bioreactor, air in the form of fine bubbles.
  71. Spark spread The difference in price between electricity purchased from the grid and electricity generated from, for example, purchased natural gas.
  72. spatial autocorrelation statistics A set of statistical parameters aimed to depict the spatial (geographical) pattern of genetic diversity in a population.
  73. Spatial concentration The dry weight of sediment per unit volume of water-sediment mixture in place, or the ratio of the dry weight of sediment to the total weight of…
  74. Spawn The location or process of monsters (or items) appearing when they are created in the world.
  75. Spawning beds Places in which eggs of aquatic animals lodge or are placed during or after fertilization.
  76. Spawning gravel Sorted, clean gravel patches of a size appropriate for the needs of resident or anadromous fish.
  77. SPC Storm Prediction Center
  78. SPCLY Especially
  79. SPD 1) Speed 2) On a buoy report, ten-minute average wind speed values in m/s.
  80. Spearhead Echo A radar echo associated with a downburst with a pointed appendage extending toward the direction of the echo motion.
  81. Special areas Areas of high public interest and containing outstanding natural features or values.
  82. Special Avalanche Warning Issued by the National Weather Service when avalanches are imminent or occurring in the mountains. It is usually issued for a 24 hour period.
  83. Special Districts Geographic areas in which fees or taxes are collected to fund investments or services benefiting properties within the district.
  84. Special examination A field review performed on a high- or significant-hazard dam to address an identified visible dam safety deficiency or to investigate significant changes…
  85. Special features Area containing ecological, geological, or other features of scientific, educational, scenic, or historical value.
  86. Special Fire Weather Meteorological services uniquely required by user agencies which cannot be provided at an NWS office during normal working hours.
  87. Special Marine Warning (SMW) A warning product issued for potentially hazardous weather conditions usually of short duration (up to 2 hours) producing sustained marine…
  88. Special naphtha All finished products within the naphtha boiling range that are used as paint thinners, cleaners, or solvents.
  89. Special Permit A use that would not be appropriate generally, or without restriction through the zoning district but which, if controlled as to number, area, location…
  90. Special populations Those individuals or groups that may be institutionalized and have needs that require special consideration in emergencies.
  91. Special status species (threatened, endangered, sensitive, rare) Includes both plant and animal species that are proposed for listing, officially listed as threatened or endangered, or are candidates for listing as…
  92. Special Tropical Disturbance Statement This statement issued by the National Hurricane Center furnishes information on strong and formative non-depression systems.
  93. Special Use Airspace (SUA) Airspace of defined dimensions identified by an area on the surface of the Earth wherein activities must be confined because of their nature and/or…
  94. Specially Designated Areas Includes a variety of areas that have received recognition or designation because they possess unique or important resource values.
  95. speciation The evolutionary differentiation of a pre-existing species into one or more distinct species.
  96. Species Organisms in the same genus that have similar characteristics.
  97. Species of Special Concern A species that may have a declining population, limited occurrence, or low numbers for any of a variety of reasons.
  98. specific combining ability (Abbreviation: SCA). A component of genetic variance calculable where a number of genotypes are intercrossed in all possible combinations.
  99. Specific Gravity The ratio of the mass of a body to an equal volume of water.
  100. Specific Heat The amount of heat required to raise a unit mass of a substance through one degree, expressed as a ratio of the amount of heat required to raise an equal…