Glossary
Accessory pigment A colored molecule that absorbs light energy and transfers it
to a reaction center of chlorophyll for use in photosynthesis
Acritarch The general term for unicellular fossils whose relationship are uncertain;
many are regarded as resistant cyst stages of planktonic algae, often
prasinophyceans or dinoflagellates.
Actinomycetes Group of gram-positive, sporeforming, prokaryotic microorganisms
belonging to the bacteria, which grow as slender branched filaments (hyphae).
They are found in soil, river muds and lake bottoms and include many species
(e.g. Streptomyces) that produce antibiotics.
Active oxygen Strongly oxidizing oxygen that functions to maintain life by
generating energy within the body to sustain the organism through respiration.
Adrenal cortical hormone Category of steroidal hormones secreted from the
adrenal cortex.
Adrenocorticotropic hormone, adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) Polypeptide
hormone synthesized by anterior pituitary and which acts on adrenal cortex,
stimulating its growth and the synthesis and release of adrenocortical steroids.
Also has effects on other tissues, stimulating lipid breakdown and release of fatty
acids from fat cells.
Adventitious bud Bud that forms in a place where buds typically do not form,
including on leaves and roots or between stem joints.
Adventive embryo Embryo that forms from plant somatic cells through the same
morphological changes as in fertilization.
Agar A sulfated polygalactan extracted from walls of various red algae that is used
as a gelling agent.
AIDS Disease of diminished immune functioning caused by infection with the
human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
© Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2019
S.-K. Kim, Essentials of Marine Biotechnology,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-20944-5
417
Accessory pigment A colored molecule that absorbs light energy and transfers it
to a reaction center of chlorophyll for use in photosynthesis
Acritarch The general term for unicellular fossils whose relationship are uncertain;
many are regarded as resistant cyst stages of planktonic algae, often
prasinophyceans or dinoflagellates.
Actinomycetes Group of gram-positive, sporeforming, prokaryotic microorganisms
belonging to the bacteria, which grow as slender branched filaments (hyphae).
They are found in soil, river muds and lake bottoms and include many species
(e.g. Streptomyces) that produce antibiotics.
Active oxygen Strongly oxidizing oxygen that functions to maintain life by
generating energy within the body to sustain the organism through respiration.
Adrenal cortical hormone Category of steroidal hormones secreted from the
adrenal cortex.
Adrenocorticotropic hormone, adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) Polypeptide
hormone synthesized by anterior pituitary and which acts on adrenal cortex,
stimulating its growth and the synthesis and release of adrenocortical steroids.
Also has effects on other tissues, stimulating lipid breakdown and release of fatty
acids from fat cells.
Adventitious bud Bud that forms in a place where buds typically do not form,
including on leaves and roots or between stem joints.
Adventive embryo Embryo that forms from plant somatic cells through the same
morphological changes as in fertilization.
Agar A sulfated polygalactan extracted from walls of various red algae that is used
as a gelling agent.
AIDS Disease of diminished immune functioning caused by infection with the
human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
© Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2019
S.-K. Kim, Essentials of Marine Biotechnology,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-20944-5
417