306
Plasmids Extrachromosomal genetic structures present in many strains of
bacteria
Plane mirror Mirror with a flat (planar) reflective surface
Plane wave A wave whose wave fronts are infinite parallel planes
Plankton Microscopic aquatic organisms that drift or swim weakly
Plantae (Plants) Multicellular eukaryotic organisms characterized by photosynthetic nutrition, cells with cellulose in their walls, absence of nervous
system
Plasticity Property of a body that is unable to regains its original shape size even
after removal of deforming force
Plume Long band or column of chemicals moving away from its source
Point source Single identifiable stationary source of pollution
Pollution monitoring Sampling as well as measuring of pollutants
Polymorphism Quality or character of occurring in many different forms
Porous Containing holes or voids
Post neonatal mortality Death occurring from 1 month to 1 year after birth
Potential difference The variance in electrical potential amid two points
Power Rate of doing work is called power
Predation Relationship between organisms in which the one organism kills another
organism for food
Preterm birth Birth with the gestation period is less than 37 weeks
Prevalence Proportion of a defined population affected by a sickness at a specified
point in time
Primary disease Disease arising spontaneously that is not associated with or earlier disease
Progressive disease Disease that is progressing or worsening
Progressive wave Wave generated during transfer of energy in the direction of
transmission of the sound
Protected area Area that is regulated and managed to achieve conservation
objectives
Protista Eukaryotic organisms that do not qualify as plant, animal, or fungus
Protocol (in the context of international law) Agreement less formal than those
titled “treaty” or “convention”
Protocol (in the context of scientific procedure) The detailed plan for conducting
a scientific procedure
Protons Positively charged particle of an atom
Pulmonology Branch of medical science that is concerned with ailments involving
the respiratory tract
Putrefaction Biodegradation in which foul smelling compounds are formed
Putrescible Decomposable
Pyrolysis Thermochemical decomposition of organic substance in the absence of
oxygen to convert solid wastes to liquid as well as gaseous fuel
Quality assurance System of procedures, audits, checks, and corrective actions to
ensure quality
Quota Quantitative restrictions
Glossary
Plasmids Extrachromosomal genetic structures present in many strains of
bacteria
Plane mirror Mirror with a flat (planar) reflective surface
Plane wave A wave whose wave fronts are infinite parallel planes
Plankton Microscopic aquatic organisms that drift or swim weakly
Plantae (Plants) Multicellular eukaryotic organisms characterized by photosynthetic nutrition, cells with cellulose in their walls, absence of nervous
system
Plasticity Property of a body that is unable to regains its original shape size even
after removal of deforming force
Plume Long band or column of chemicals moving away from its source
Point source Single identifiable stationary source of pollution
Pollution monitoring Sampling as well as measuring of pollutants
Polymorphism Quality or character of occurring in many different forms
Porous Containing holes or voids
Post neonatal mortality Death occurring from 1 month to 1 year after birth
Potential difference The variance in electrical potential amid two points
Power Rate of doing work is called power
Predation Relationship between organisms in which the one organism kills another
organism for food
Preterm birth Birth with the gestation period is less than 37 weeks
Prevalence Proportion of a defined population affected by a sickness at a specified
point in time
Primary disease Disease arising spontaneously that is not associated with or earlier disease
Progressive disease Disease that is progressing or worsening
Progressive wave Wave generated during transfer of energy in the direction of
transmission of the sound
Protected area Area that is regulated and managed to achieve conservation
objectives
Protista Eukaryotic organisms that do not qualify as plant, animal, or fungus
Protocol (in the context of international law) Agreement less formal than those
titled “treaty” or “convention”
Protocol (in the context of scientific procedure) The detailed plan for conducting
a scientific procedure
Protons Positively charged particle of an atom
Pulmonology Branch of medical science that is concerned with ailments involving
the respiratory tract
Putrefaction Biodegradation in which foul smelling compounds are formed
Putrescible Decomposable
Pyrolysis Thermochemical decomposition of organic substance in the absence of
oxygen to convert solid wastes to liquid as well as gaseous fuel
Quality assurance System of procedures, audits, checks, and corrective actions to
ensure quality
Quota Quantitative restrictions
Glossary