Science terms starting with Z

41 terms

  1. Z Zulu time; the same as Universal Coordinated Time (UTC), i.e. 18z is the same as 18:00 UTC.
  2. Z-DNA A region of DNA that is "flipped" into a lefthanded helix, characterized by alternating purines and pyrimidines, and which may be the target of a…
  3. Z/R Relationship The empirical conversion relationship between radar reflectivity and precipitation rate.
  4. Zeebrugge European continental terminus of the Interconnector and Bacton-Balgzand pipelines linking the United Kingdom market with European gas receipts.
  5. Zeeman effect A splitting of a spectral line into several components due to the presence of a static magnetic field.
  6. Zero air voids curve The curve showing the relationship between dry unit weights and corresponding moisture contents, assuming that all of the voids are completely filled with…
  7. Zero Datum A reference "zero" elevation for a stream or river gage. This "zero" can be referenced (usually within ten feet of the bottom of the channel) to mean sea…
  8. Zero-lot-line Development A development option where side yard restrictions are reduced and the building abuts a side lot line. Overall unit-lot densities are therefore increased.
  9. ZFP Zone Forecast Product
  10. zig-zag DNA See: Z-DNA.
  11. zinc finger A DNA-binding protein motif, characterized by two closely spaced cysteine and two histidine residues that serve as ligands for a single Zn2+ ion.
  12. Zinc-finger protein A secondary feature of some proteins containing a zinc atom; a DNA-binding protein.
  13. ZL Freezing Drizzle
  14. ZNS zones
  15. Zombie The classic version is a mindless, frequently violent, product of supernatural magic or pharmacology while the modern incarnation is a reanimated human…
  16. Zona pellucida A thick, transparent noncellular layer that surrounds and protects the oocyte.
  17. Zonal Flow Large-scale atmospheric flow in which the east-west component (i.e., latitudinal) is dominant.
  18. Zonal price A pricing mechanism for a specific zone within a control area.
  19. Zone A geographical area shown on a Flood Hazard Boundary Map or a Flood Insurance Rate Map that reflects the severity or type of flooding in the area.
  20. Zone of Aeration The comparatively dry soil or rock located between the ground surface and the top of the water table.
  21. zone of elongation The section of the young root or shoot just behind the apical meristem, in which the cells are enlarging and elongating rapidly.
  22. Zone of Saturation The soil or rock located below the top of the ground water table that is saturated with water. See water table.
  23. Zoned earthfill (or zoned embankment) An embankment dam composed of zones of selected materials where the permeability of the material increases to the upstream or downstream face from the…
  24. Zoned Embankment Dam An embankment dam, which is composed of zones of selected materials having different degrees of porosity, permeability, and density.
  25. Zoned fault See Fault, zoned
  26. Zoning The ability of local governments to specify the use of private property in order to control development within designated areas of land.
  27. zoo blot Hybridization of cloned DNA from one species to DNA from a range of other organisms to determine the extent to which the cloned DNA is evolutionarily…
  28. zoo FISH Fluorescence in situ hybridization technique, probing metaphase chromosome s of one species with DNA from another species.
  29. Zoomorphic Having or representing animal forms.
  30. Zoonosis A disease that naturally occurs in animals that can also occur in humans.
  31. Zooplankton Animals (mostly microscopic) that drift freely in the water column.
  32. zoospore A spore that possesses flagella and is therefore motile.
  33. ZR Freezing Rain
  34. Zulu (Z) Time For practical purposes, the same as Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). The notation formerly used to identify time Greenwich MeanTime.
  35. Zulu Time (Z) Means Coordinated Universal Time (UTC); the international time standard kept at Greenwich, England.
  36. Zurich Sunspot Classification In solar-terrestrial terms, a sunspot classification system that has been modified for SESC use.
  37. zygonema Stage of meiotic prophase during which chromosome synapsis occurs.
  38. zygospore A thick-walled resistant spore developing from a zygote resulting from the fusion of gamete s in the course of isogamy.
  39. Zygote The diploid cell formed by the fusion of two haploid gamete s during fertilization in eukaryotic organisms with sexual reproduction.
  40. zygotene (adj.) See: zygonema.
  41. zymogen Inactive enzyme precursor that after secretion is chemically altered to the active form of the enzyme.