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How vs. why questions: Proximate view How an individual organism's structures function Ontogeny (development) Developmental explanations for changes in individuals, from DNA to their current form Mechanism (causation) Mechanistic explanations for how an organism's structures work Ultimate (evolutionary) view
A functional characteristic is known in evolutionary biology as an adaptation, and the research strategy for investigating whether a character is adaptive is known as adaptationism. Although assuming that a character is functional may be helpful in research, some characteristics of organisms are non-functional, formed as accidental spandrels ...
Biological processes are regulated by many means; examples include the control of gene expression, protein modification or interaction with a protein or substrate molecule. Homeostasis: regulation of the internal environment to maintain a constant state; for example, sweating to reduce temperature
The etymology of the word "morphology" is from the Ancient Greek μορφή (morphḗ), meaning "form", and λόγος (lógos), meaning "word, study, research". [2] [3]While the concept of form in biology, opposed to function, dates back to Aristotle (see Aristotle's biology), the field of morphology was developed by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1790) and independently by the German anatomist ...
Functional diversity is widely considered to be "the value and the range of those species and organismal traits that influence ecosystem functioning" [3] In this sense, the use of the term "function" may apply to individuals, populations, communities, trophic levels, or evolutionary process (i.e. considering the function of adaptations). [3]
Physiology (/ ˌ f ɪ z i ˈ ɒ l ə dʒ i /; from Ancient Greek φύσις (phúsis) 'nature, origin' and -λογία () 'study of') [1] is the scientific study of functions and mechanisms in a living system.
In anatomy, a process (Latin: processus) is a projection or outgrowth of tissue from a larger body. [1] For instance, in a vertebra, a process may serve for muscle attachment and leverage (as in the case of the transverse and spinous processes), or to fit (forming a synovial joint), with another vertebra (as in the case of the articular processes). [2]
This practice remains an important ritual in some remote, tribal societies. The term "visceral" is contrasted with the term " parietal ", meaning "of or relating to the wall of a body part, organ or cavity " [ 9 ] The two terms are often used in describing a membrane or piece of connective tissue, referring to the opposing sides.