Science — page 112 of 132

13,110 terms including subtopics (0 terms filed directly here)

Science terms

Somite One of the longitudinal series of segments into which the body of many animals (including vertebrates) is divided. (Merriam-Webster on line)
sonication Disruption of cells or DNA molecules by high frequency sound waves.
SOO Science and Operations Officer
SOS response The synthesis of a whole set of DNA repair, recombination and replication proteins in bacteria suffering severe DNA damage (e.g.
sounding A set of data measuring the vertical structure of an atmospheric parameter (temperature, humidity, pressure, winds, etc.) at a given time.
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…
source DNA The DNA from an organism that contains a target gene, and used as the starting material in a cloning experiment.
Source Emission Reduction Plan (SERP) (SERP) A contingency plan developed to reduce emissions during an air quality emergency.
source organism A bacterium, plant or animal from which DNA is purified and used in a cloning experiment.
Source Water Assessment Plan (SWAP) (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…
Southern blot A nitrocellulose or nylon membrane to which DNA fragments previously separated by gel electrophoresis, have been transferred by capillary action.
Southern blotting See Southern hybridization.
Southern Great Plains (SGP) site (SGP) The first of the ARM research sites, the SGP site is located in south Kansas and north Oklahoma.
Southern hybridization A procedure in which a cloned, labelled segment of DNA is hybridized to DNA restriction fragments on a Southern blot.
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…
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…
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…
Southwest Regional Gap Analysis Project (SWReGAP) (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…
Space Environment Center (SEC) - This center provides real-time monitoring and forecasting of solar and geophysical events, conducts research in solar-terrestrial physics, and…
Space Heater A movable or fixed heater used to heat individual rooms.
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…
Spacer (Window) Strips of material used to separate multiple panes of glass within the windows.
spacer sequence A DNA sequence separating neighbouring genes; spacer sequences are not usually transcribed.
Spacetime The theory of relativity says that time cannot be treated absolutely separately from space, only in one observer's relative view.
Spacing In blasting, the distance between holes in a row. Apparent spacing is the spacing as outlined by the delay pattern.
Spalling (spall) The loss of surface concrete usually caused by impact, abrasion, or compression. To break off from a surface in sheets or pieces.
SPAR Abbreviation for single primer amplification reaction.
sparger A device that introduces, into a bioreactor, air in the form of fine bubbles.
Spark spread The difference in price between electricity purchased from the grid and electricity generated from, for example, purchased natural gas.
spatial autocorrelation statistics A set of statistical parameters aimed to depict the spatial (geographical) pattern of genetic diversity in a population.
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…
Spawn The location or process of monsters (or items) appearing when they are created in the world.
Spawning beds Places in which eggs of aquatic animals lodge or are placed during or after fertilization.
Spawning gravel Sorted, clean gravel patches of a size appropriate for the needs of resident or anadromous fish.
SPC Storm Prediction Center
SPCLY Especially
SPD 1) Speed 2) On a buoy report, ten-minute average wind speed values in m/s.
Spearhead Echo A radar echo associated with a downburst with a pointed appendage extending toward the direction of the echo motion.
Special areas Areas of high public interest and containing outstanding natural features or values.
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.
Special Districts Geographic areas in which fees or taxes are collected to fund investments or services benefiting properties within the district.
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…
Special features Area containing ecological, geological, or other features of scientific, educational, scenic, or historical value.
Special Fire Weather Meteorological services uniquely required by user agencies which cannot be provided at an NWS office during normal working hours.
Special Marine Warning (SMW) A warning product issued for potentially hazardous weather conditions usually of short duration (up to 2 hours) producing sustained marine…
Special naphtha All finished products within the naphtha boiling range that are used as paint thinners, cleaners, or solvents.
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…
Special populations Those individuals or groups that may be institutionalized and have needs that require special consideration in emergencies.
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…
Special Tropical Disturbance Statement This statement issued by the National Hurricane Center furnishes information on strong and formative non-depression systems.
Special Use Airspace (SUA) (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…
Specially Designated Areas Includes a variety of areas that have received recognition or designation because they possess unique or important resource values.
speciation The evolutionary differentiation of a pre-existing species into one or more distinct species.
Species Organisms in the same genus that have similar characteristics.
Species of Special Concern A species that may have a declining population, limited occurrence, or low numbers for any of a variety of reasons.
specific combining ability (Abbreviation: SCA). A component of genetic variance calculable where a number of genotypes are intercrossed in all possible combinations.
Specific Gravity The ratio of the mass of a body to an equal volume of water.
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…
Specific Heat Capacity The quantity of heat required to change the temperature of one unit weight of a material by one degree.
Specific Humidity The weight of water vapor, per unit weight of dry air.
Specific Volume The volume of a unit weight of a substance at a specific temperature and pressure.
Specific weight The weight per unit volume.
Specific work work output -------------- mass flow
Specific Yield The ratio of the water which will drain freely from the material to the total volume of the aquifer formation.
specificity When referring to a medical test, specificity refers to the percentage of people who test negative for a specific disease among a group of people who do…
Spectra A range of different measurements. In terms of physics, spectra usually refers to the different wavelengths, or colors (if in the visible range) of light…
Spectral Density A radar term for the distribution of power by frequency.
Spectral Energy Distribution A curve illustrating the variation or spectral irradiance with wavelength.
Spectral Irradiance The monochromatic irradiance of a surface per unit bandwidth at a particular wavelength, usually expressed in Watts per square meter-nanometer bandwidth.
Spectral karyotype (SKY) A visualization of all of an organism's chromosomes together, each labeled with a different color.
Spectral Line An emission (bright) or absorption (dark) of light at a specific frequency or wavelength.
Spectral Reflectance The ratio of energy reflected from a surface in a given waveband to the energy incident in that waveband.
Spectral Wave Density On a buoy report, energy in (meter*meter)/Hz, for each frequency bin (typically from 0.03 Hz to 0.40 Hz).
Spectral Wave Direction On a buoy report, mean wave direction, in degrees from true North, for each frequency bin.
spectral width A measure of the spread of the Doppler spectrum and consequently is sensitive to the spread in the particle size spectra.
Spectrally Selective Coatings A type of window glazing films used to block the infrared (heat) portion of the solar spectrum but admit a higher portion of visible light.
Spectrograph A device that separates light by wavelength (color) in order to produce a spectrum that allows for the identification of elements within the light source.
Spectrum Electromagnetic radiation arranged in order of wavelength from Ion wavelength radio waves to short wavelength gamma rays.
Spectrum intensity The integral of the pseudo-velocity response spectrum taken over the range of significant structural vibration periods of the structure being analyzed.
Spectrum Width This WSR-88D radar product depicts a full 360 degree sweep of spectrum width data indicating a measure of velocity dispersion within the radar sample…
Spectrum Width Cross Section This WSR-88D radar product displays a vertical cross section of spectrum width on a grid with heights up to 70,000 feet on the vertical axis and distance…
Specular reflection Also known as direct reflection, regular reflection, or mirror reflection. The reflection of electromagnetic rays without scattering or diffusion.
Speed Shear The component of wind shear which is due to a change in wind speed with height, e.g.
speleothem a mineral deposit formed in caves. Two types of speleothems are stalagmites and stalactites.
SPENES NESDIS Satellite Precipitation Estimates
spent medium After sub-culture, medium which is discarded because it has been depleted of nutrients, dehydrated, or accumulated toxic metabolic products.
sperm Abbreviation for spermatozoon.
sperm competition Competition between different spermatozoa to fertilize the of a single female.
sperm sexing The separation of mammalian sperm into those bearing an X chromosome and those bearing a Y chromosome, in order to be able to produce, via artificial…
spermatid Immature spermatozoon. One of the four cells formed at the end of the second meiotic division in spermatogenesis.
spermatocyte The premeiotic parental cell of the spermatids; the primary spermatocyte before the initiation of the first meiotic division; the secondary spermatocyte…
spermatogenesis The series of cell divisions in the testis as a result of which the formation and the maturation of the male gametes (i.e. sperm) are achieved.
spermatogonium (pl.: spermatogonia) Primordial male germ cell. These can either divide by mitosis to produce daughter cells, or enter a growth phase and differentiate…
spermatozoon (Abbreviation: sperm). (pl.: spermatozoa) The mature, mobile gametic cell of male animals, produced in the testis.
spharoblast Nodule of wood which can give rise to adventitious shoots with juvenile characteristics.
Sphere Calibration Reflectivity calibration of a radar by pointing the dish at a metal sphere of (theoretically) known reflectivity.
spheroplast (AlteRNA tive spelling: sphaeroplast). A microbial or plant cell from which most of the cell wall has been removed, usually by enzymatic treatment.
Spigot The plain end of a cast-iron pipe. The spigot is inserted into the bell end of the next pipe to make a water tight joint.
spike 1. An inflorescence in which the main axis is elongated and the flowers are sessile. 2.
spikelet The unit of inflorescence in grasses, made up of a small group of florets.