Mitosis Definition Two new cells are formed during mitosis, the step in the cell cycle when the newly duplicated DNA is separated. The process of asexual reproduction is important for single-celled eukaryotes.  Multicellular eukaryotes undergo mitosis in order to become an entire organism. The other stages in the cell cycle include growth and the replication … Read more

Microbiology Definition Microbiology is the study of microscopic organisms, such as bacteria, fungi, and protists. It also includes the study of viruses, which are not technically classified as living organisms but do contain genetic material.  Microbiology research encompasses all aspects of these microorganisms such as their behavior, evolution, ecology, biochemistry, and physiology, along with the … Read more

Plasma Membrane Definition The plasma membrane of a cell is a network of lipids and proteins that forms the boundary between a cell’s contents and the outside of the cell. It is also simply called the cell membrane.  The main function of the plasma membrane is to protect the cell from its surrounding environment. It … Read more

Definition A neuromuscular junction (NMJ), also called a myoneural junction, is the connection between a motor neurons and a muscle fibers. These neurons are the site at which the neuron transmits a signal from the brain to the muscle fiber, causing it to contract. Therefore, neuromuscular junctions represent the channel of communication between the nervous … Read more

The Basics Among the more than 24 genera of ground squirrels (Sciuridae), the ground squirrel is a rodent family. This typically refers to medium-sized species such as California ground squirrels (Otospermophilus beecheyi), but also includes larger species like marmots and smaller species like chipmunks.  It is common knowledge that ground squirrels, also known as groundhogs … Read more

Secondary Consumer Definition Organisms that consume primary consumers for energy are secondary consumers. Primary consumers are always herbivores, or organisms that eat only autotrophic plants. Carnivores or omnivores can be secondary consumers. Omnivores eat both plant and animal matter, while carnivores eat only other animals. It is still necessary for a secondary consumer to have … Read more

The Basics A large number of species in the Solifugae order are known as camel spiders. These creatures, which are also known as wind scorpions or sun spiders, are neither scorpions nor spiders. Although they belong to the Class Arachnida, they exhibit both scorpion and spider characteristics. The camel spider has a distinctly segmented opisthosoma, … Read more

Sarcolemma Definition There are striated muscle fiber cells surrounded by a specialized membrane called the sarcolemma. Like the plasma membrane, the sarcolemma has specialized functions for muscle cells and is sometimes referred to as the myolemma.  In addition to the extracellular matrix, the sarcolemma contains polysaccharides that allow the cell to anchor into the tissue … Read more