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Macromolecule: A very large molecule, which can be a polymer. The presence of macromolecules generally indicates the presence of a biological system.
Magma: Molten rock found beneath the surface of the Earth.
 Mantle: The part of the Earth that lay between the lithosphere and the outer core. This region is approximately 2300km thick.
Image can be found at Classroom@Sea: The Carlsberg Ridge Cruise.
 Mars: The fourth planet in our solar system from the Sun. Roughly about half the size of Earth, and covered in rusty-colored dust, people often refer to it as the "Red Planet." Some facts and figures:
- Martian year: 687 Earth days (almost 2 Earth years).
- Distance from the Sun: 227.9 million km (about 1.52 AU).
- Moons: 2, Phobos and Deimos.
Medulla oblongata: (Anatomy) The Part of the brain that regulates respiration and circulation.
Megaparsec: One million parsecs.
Meiosis: A process of cell division where a single diploid cell splits to form four identical haploid cells.
Melanin: A pigment found in vertebrate animals which is useful in providing protection from ultraviolet rays from the sun.
Membranous: Anything that has a membrane, or looks like one.
Mesoderm: The middle layer of embryonic tissues, where muscles, connective tissue, and various other systems develop.
MessengerRNA: Also known as mRNA. A single strand of ribonucleotides transcribed from DNA, and then translated into a polypeptide chain.
Metabolism: All of the physical and chemical processes in a living organism.
Metamorphic Rock: A certain type of rock that forms when preexisting material is subject to intense pressure and/or heat, but before it can be remelted.
Microbe: General term that refers to any microscopic organism, but usually used to refer to potentially dangerous ones, such as E. coli bacteria.
Microspore: A haploid spore type found in heterosporous plants that will form to make the male gametophyte.
Midbrain: (Anatomy) The topmost part of the lower brain, situated between the pons and the thalamus. This portion controls unconscious body functions.
Mineral: Naturally occuring substance, typically inorganic, with a crystalline structure and a characteristic chemical composition.
Mitosis: Form of cell division where the nucleus splits and creates two daughter nuclei, each with an equal amount of chromosomes.
Molecule: The result of two or more atoms combining through a chemical bond.
 Monocot: Also monocotyledon. A flowering plant that has a single cotyledon.
Image can be found at Lab Help for Ex. 5 Green Plant - I.
 Monosaccharide: The simplest sugar unit, which keeps a ratio of two hydrogen atoms for every oxygen and carbon atom
[Cn(H2O)n]. One example of a monosaccharide is glucose, pictured at the right.
Motor: A term that refers to anything that is involved with physiological response, which is often movement. Examples include: motor cells, motor neurons, and motor units.
Multicellular: Having more than one cell.
Mutualism: A type of symbiotic relationship where both species are dependant on each other, and both benefit. An example of mutualism can be found with the Bull-horn acacia (Acacia cornigera) and the stinging ants (Pseudomyrmex ferruginea). The ant provides protection from organisms that feed on the acacia, while the acacia provides a place for the ants to live.
Mycelium: The indefinite body of a multicellular fungus composed of filamentous structures called hyphae.
Mycology: The study of fungi. In conjunction with this site, a vast mycological glossary can be found here.
Mycorrhiza: A symbiotic relationship between a fungus and a plant.
Myosin: A protein that works in tandem with actin in controlling muscle contraction. |
