hypervariable segmentA region of a protein that varies considerably between strains or individuals.
HypoblastThe inner cell layer, or endoderm, which develops during the formation of the embryonic germ layers.
HypocenterThe point or focus within the earth which is the center of an earthquake and the origin of its elastic waves.
hypocotylThe portion of an embryo or seedling below the cotyledons . A transitional area between stem and root.
HypolimneticPertaining to the lower, colder portion of a lake or reservoir which is separated from the upper, warmer portion (epilimnion) by the thermocline.
HypolimnionThe lower, or bottom, layer of a lake or reservoir with essentially uniform colder temperatures.
hypomorphA mutation that reduces, but does not completely abolish gene expression.
hypoplasticDefective and reduced growth or development (e.g. dwarfing and stunting in plants) resulting from an abnormal condition, for example disease or…
hypoploidThe situation in which a particular chromosome or chromosome segment is present in less than the normal number. Opposite: hyperploid.
Hyporheic zoneGround water habitats created by the movement of river water from the active channel to areas to the side and beneath the active channel.
hypothalamic peptidesPeptides generated in the vertebrate forebrain and concerned with regulating the body's physiological state.
Hypothermiathis situation occurs when the core temperature of one's body falls below normal.
HypothesisA tentative proposal made to explain certain observations or facts that requires further investigation to be verified.
hypotonicOsmotic potential less than that of living cells. Cells placed in a hypotonic solution will absorb water and display swelling and turgidity.
HypsographyElevation measurement system based on a sea level datum.
I-Type SemiconductorA semiconductor material that is left intrinsic, or undoped so that the concentration of charge carriers is characteristic of the material itself rather…
I-V CurveA graphical plot or representation the current and voltage output of a solar photovoltaic cell or module as a load on the device is increased from short…
I/E regionAbbreviation for integration-excision region.
Ice blinkIce blink White glare on the underside of low clouds indicating presence of ice which may be beyond the range of vision.
Ice BoomA floating structure designed to retain ice.
Ice BridgeA continuous ice cover of limited size extending from shore to shore like a bridge.
Ice CoreA cylindrical section of ice removed from a glacier or an ice sheet in order to study climate patterns of the past.
ice crystalPrecipitation consisting of small, slowly falling crystals of ice.
Ice CrystalsA barely visible crystalline form of ice that has the shape of needles, columns or plates. Ice crystals are so small that they seem to be suspended in air.
Ice FogSame as Freezing Fog; a suspension of numerous minute ice crystals in the air, or water droplets at temperatures below 0º Celsius, based at the Earth's…
Ice GorgeThe gorge or opening left in a jam after it has broken.
Ice JamA stationary accumulation that restricts or blocks streamflow.
ice nucleiParticles that act as nuclei for the formation of ice crystals in the atmosphere.
Ice NucleusAny particle that serves as a nucleus in the formation of ice crystals in the atmosphere.
Ice patrol shipIce patrol ship A research ship which performs ice surveys in polar regions.
Ice Pellets(abbrev. IP) Same as Sleet; defined as pellets of ice composed of frozen or mostly frozen raindrops or refrozen partially melted snowflakes.
Ice PushCompression of an ice cover particularly at the front of a moving section of ice cover.
ice rafted detrituscontinental material transported within a matrix of ice and deposited in marine sediments when the ice matrix melts.
Ice RunFlow of ice in a river. An ice run may be light or heavy, and may consist of frazil, anchor, slush, or sheet ice.
ice sheeta mass of glacier ice that covers a wider area than a glacier does.
ice sheet marginedge of the ice sheet where melting and calving of icebergs occurs.
Ice ShoveOn-shore ice push caused by wind, and currents, changes in temperature, etcetera.
Ice StormAn ice storm is used to describe occasions when damaging accumulations of ice are expected during freezing rain situations.
Ice Storm WarningThis product is issued by the National Weather Service when freezing rain produces a significant and possibly damaging accumulation of ice.
ice streamsregion within an ice sheet where ice moves towards the ice sheet margin significantly faster than the surrounding ice does.
Ice TwitchDownstream movement of a small section of an ice cover. Ice twitches occur suddenly and often appear successively.
IcebergA piece of a glacier which has broken off and is floating in the sea.
Icelandic LowA semi-permanent, subpolar area of low pressure in the North Atlantic Ocean. Because of its broad area and range of central pressure, it is an area where…
ICM cellsCells from the inner cell mass, a population of cells inside the blastula that give rise to the body of the new organism rather than to the chorion or…
idiotypeAn identifying property or characteristic of an item or system. 1.A plant form expected on physiological grounds to represent an optimal type for the…
IFLOWSThe Integrated Flood Observing and Warning System.
IgneousRock formed by molten magma. Rock that forms from the solidification of molten rock or magma.
Igneous rockA crystalline rock formed by the cooling and solidification of molten or partly molten material (magma).
IgniteTo heat a gaseous mixture to the temperature at which combustion takes place.
Ignition PointThe minimum temperature at which combustion of a solid or fluid can occur.
IGSAbbreviation for 1. internal guide sequence. 2. intergenic spacer.
IlluminanceA measure of the amount of light incident on a surface; measured in foot-candles or Lux.
IlluminationThe distribution of light on a horizontal surface. The purpose of all lighting is to produce illumination.
imaginal discA mass of cells in the larvae of Drosophila melanogaster and other holometabolous insects that gives rise to particular adult organs, such as antennae…
Imbalance energyDiscrepancy between the amount that a seller contracted to deliver and the actual volume of power delivered.
imbibition1. The absorption of liquids or vapours into the ultramicroscopic spaces or pores found in materials. 2.
Imhoff treatment systemIn wastewater treatment, a tank without aeration or oxygenation where solids settle out. The solids are digested in a separate compartment in the bottom.
immobilized cellsCells entrapped in matrices such as alginate, polyacrylamide and agarose, for use in membrane and filter bioreactors.
immortalizationThe genetic transformation of a cell type into which can proliferate indefinitely.
Immortalizing oncogeneA gene that upon transfection enables a primary cell to grow indefinitely in culture. (See Oncogene.)
immune response(ih-MYOON reh-SPONTS) The activity of the immune system against foreign substances (antigens).
immune system(ih-MYOON SIS-tem) The complex group of organs and cells that defends the body against infections and other diseases.
Immune system cellsWhite blood cells or leukocytes that originate from the bone marrow. They include antigen presenting cells, such as dendritic cells, T and B lymphocytes…
Immune-function assayA general term for a number of tests based on an immune cell's ability to carry out a particular immune function.
Immunity(ih-MYOO-nih-tee) The condition of being protected against an infectious disease.
immunizationA technique used to cause an immune response that results in resistance to a specific disease, especially an infectious disease.
immunoaffinity chromatographyA purification technique in which an antibody is bound to a matrix and is used to isolate a protein from a complex mixture. See: affinity chromatography.
immunoassayA test that uses the binding of antibodies to antigens to identify and measure certain substances. Immunoassays may be used to diagnose disease.
Immunocompromised miceThese genetically altered mice are used for transplantation experiments because they usually do not reject the transplanted tissue.
ImmunodeficientUnable to develop a normal immune response to, for example, a foreign substance.
immunoglobulin(IH-myoo-noh-GLOB-yoo-lin) A type of protein that acts as an antibody.
ImmunohistologyExamination of tissues through specific immunostaining techniques.
Immunophenotyping(IM-yoo-no-FEE-no-tie-ping) A process used to identify cells, based on the types of antigens or markers on the surface of the cell.
immunoprophylaxisThe process of active or passive immunization. Active immunization with vaccines leads to long-term protection through mobilizing the organism's own…
immunosensorA biosensor having an antibody as the biological element.
immunosuppression(IH-myoo-noh-suh-PREH-shun) Suppression of the body's immune system and its ability to fight infections and other diseases.
Immunosuppressive drugsDrugs that prevent or interfere with the development of an immunologic response.
immunosuppressorA substance, an agent or a condition that prevents or diminishes the immune response.
immunotherapy(IH-myoo-noh-THAYR-uh-pee) Treatment to boost or restore the ability of the immune system to fight cancer, infections, and other diseases.
immunotoxin(IH-myoo-noh-TOK-sin) An antibody linked to a toxic substance. Some immunotoxins can bind to cancer cells and kill them.
ImpactThe effect, influence, alteration, or imprint caused by an action.