Evolutionary Biology Vocabulary

adjective relating to or resembling a tree or trees; inhabiting or frequenting trees

• The arboreal habitat of the monkeys is crucial for their survival.
• The monkeys love swinging from tree to tree in their arboreal home.
• Those monkeys are living the high life up in their arboreal playground.
• Her thoughts were as tangled and intricate as an arboreal canopy.

noun a bird

adjective relating to or characteristic of birds

• The avian population in the region has been steadily declining due to habitat loss.
• I love watching avian species in my backyard, especially the colorful ones.
• Check out that cool avian flying high in the sky!
• Her singing voice was so melodious, it was like listening to an avian symphony.

noun a two-footed animal

adjective having two feet

• The bipedal creature walked gracefully on two legs.
• I saw a strange biped walking down the street.
• Check out that cool biped strutting its stuff.
• As a biped, he stood tall and proud in the face of adversity.

noun a living organism that primarily feeds on animal flesh

adjective relating to or characteristic of a carnivore

• The lion is a well-known carnivore, feeding primarily on meat.
• My cat is a carnivore, she loves her meaty treats.
• That guy at the gym is a total carnivore, always eating protein.
• In the business world, you need to be a carnivore to succeed and thrive.

verb to obtain or receive from a source or origin

preposition indicating the source or origin of something

• The word 'etymology' refers to the study of where words derive from.
• I always wonder where certain slang terms derive from.
• Do you know where that new dance move derives from?
• His inspiration for the painting seemed to derive from his childhood memories.

noun the act of diverging or moving in different directions

verb to separate and go in different directions

• The two scientific theories began to diverge as new evidence was discovered.
• Our opinions on the movie diverge quite a bit, but that's what makes discussions interesting.
• I can't believe how much our tastes in music diverge - we have nothing in common!
• Their paths in life started to diverge, leading them in different directions.

noun a difference or conflict in opinions, interests, or viewpoints

• The divergence in opinions among the board members led to a lengthy debate.
• There was a big divergence in what everyone thought about the movie.
• There was a major split in the group's feelings on the issue.
• The river split into two, showing a clear divergence in its path.

adjective deviating from a straight line or course

• The two scientific theories are divergent in their conclusions.
• Their opinions on the matter are totally divergent.
• Their ideas are like, totally divergent, dude.
• The paths they chose in life were divergent, leading them in opposite directions.

noun ancestors or predecessors in a family or lineage

• My forebears immigrated to this country in the early 1900s.
• I heard stories about my forebears from my grandparents.
• I'm proud of my forebears for paving the way for our family.
• The traditions passed down from my forebears continue to shape my identity.

verb to convert into a fossil; to make or become antiquated or rigid

• Over time, the organic material in the bone can fossilize and turn into a mineralized form.
• If you leave that bread out too long, it's going to fossilize and become as hard as a rock.
• I forgot about that sandwich in my bag and now it's fossilized.
• His outdated views on technology have fossilized, making it difficult for him to adapt to new advancements.

noun the act of introducing something new or different

• The intromission of foreign substances into the body can lead to severe health complications.
• Stop the intromission of junk food into your diet if you want to lose weight.
• I can't believe she tried to intromit herself into our conversation like that.
• The intromission of new ideas into the project sparked creativity among the team.

noun a warm-blooded vertebrate animal of a class that is distinguished by the possession of hair or fur, the secretion of milk by females for the nourishment of the young, and (typically) the birth of live young

• The mammal species is characterized by the presence of mammary glands for feeding their young.
• I love going to the zoo to see all the cute mammals.
• That party was so crowded, it was like a zoo full of mammals.
• She is a true mammal when it comes to taking care of her friends and family.

noun a mammal

adjective relating to or characteristic of mammals

• The study focused on the mammalian species found in the region.
• I learned about different types of mammalian animals in biology class.
• Those mammalian creatures are so cute!
• Her mammalian instincts kicked in when she sensed danger nearby.

noun a being or organism that has undergone genetic mutation

adjective relating to or characteristic of a mutant

• Scientists are studying the genetic mutation in the population to understand the prevalence of mutants.
• Did you hear about the mutant gene found in the lab mice?
• That movie about the mutants with superpowers was so cool!
• The new technology is a mutant in the world of smartphones, revolutionizing how we communicate.

verb to have a specified beginning or origin

• The concept of democracy is said to originate from ancient Greece.
• I heard that pizza actually originates from Italy.
• I'm not sure where that rumor originated, but it's definitely not true.
• His fear of public speaking seems to originate from a childhood trauma.

verb to become rigid or hardened like bone; to turn into bone

adjective hardened like bone; rigid; inflexible

• The ossified remains of the ancient creature were carefully studied by paleontologists.
• His ossified thinking prevented him from considering any new ideas.
• Dude, you need to chill out and stop being so ossified about everything.
• Her heart felt ossified after experiencing so much pain and betrayal.

noun a principal taxonomic category that ranks above class and below kingdom, equivalent to the division in botany

• The phylum Chordata includes all vertebrates and some invertebrates with a notochord.
• Did you know humans belong to the phylum Chordata?
• I never knew there was a phylum called Chordata, sounds like a cool club.
• In the vast phylum of music genres, rock and roll stands out as a classic.

noun an event or situation that exists or occurs before another

verb to exist or occur before in time; to precede

• The artifacts found in the cave predate any known civilization in this region.
• I think my grandma's recipe for apple pie might predate yours.
• That movie predated all the others in terms of special effects.
• His love for classic cars seemed to predate his ability to even drive.

noun a group of living organisms consisting of similar individuals capable of exchanging genes or interbreeding

• The scientist studied the different species of birds in the rainforest.
• I love learning about all the different species of animals in the zoo.
• Check out all the cool species of fish in the aquarium!
• In a world full of different species of people, it's important to embrace diversity.

noun A member of a society in the early stages of development

• Stone Age man relied on primitive tools for hunting and gathering.
• Back in the Stone Age, man had to make do with basic tools for survival.
• Stone Age dude had to use whatever he could find to survive.
• In today's fast-paced world, sometimes I feel like a Stone Age man trying to keep up with technology.

noun a unicellular organism

adjective describing an organism that consists of a single cell

• Unicellular organisms consist of a single cell that performs all necessary functions.
• Did you know that bacteria are unicellular?
• Those tiny organisms are just one-celled, they're unicellular!
• The artist's style is like a unicellular organism, simple yet effective.

noun an animal of a large group distinguished by the possession of a backbone or spinal column, including mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fish

• A vertebrate is an animal with a backbone or spinal column.
• My favorite type of animal is a vertebrate because they have a backbone like us.
• Check out that cool vertebrate over there, it's so interesting!
• Being a vertebrate in a world full of invertebrates can sometimes feel like standing out from the crowd.

noun a trace or evidence of something that once existed

verb not applicable

adjective not applicable

adverb not applicable

pronoun not applicable

preposition not applicable

conjunction not applicable

interjection not applicable

article not applicable

• The archaeologist discovered a small vestige of pottery dating back to the Bronze Age.
• There's not a vestige of truth in that story.
• I can't believe you still have that vestige of a haircut from the 80s!
• As the old building was torn down, it was the last vestige of the town's history disappearing.

verb to combine or mix together again

• Scientists are studying how to recombine different genetic materials to create new hybrid species.
• I heard you can recombine different flavors of ice cream at that new shop downtown.
• Let's recombine our playlists and make one awesome mixtape.
• In order to solve this complex problem, we need to recombine our thinking and approach it from a different angle.

noun the condition of having teeth that are different in shape and size

• Heterodonty is a dental condition where an animal has different types of teeth for different functions.
• Did you know that sharks have heterodonty, with sharp teeth in the front for tearing and flat teeth in the back for grinding?
• My dentist said I have heterodonty because my front teeth are sharp like fangs!
• In the business world, having heterodonty can be an advantage as it allows one to adapt to different tasks and roles effectively.

adjective describing an animal that walks on four legs

• The quadrupedal nature of the animal allows it to move efficiently on all fours.
• My dog prefers to be quadrupedal when running around the yard.
• I saw a quadrupedal critter scurrying across the road.
• The team worked together in a quadrupedal manner to finish the project ahead of schedule.

adjective describing something that has two feet or walks on two feet

• The study of bipedal locomotion in humans is a key focus in anthropology.
• I find it fascinating how some animals are bipedal, like penguins.
• Check out that bipedal robot, it's so cool!
• She walked with a confident, almost bipedal stride.

noun a geological epoch that lasted from about 2,588,000 to 11,700 years ago, characterized by the presence of humans and the extinction of many large mammals

• The Pleistocene epoch, also known as the Ice Age, lasted from about 2.6 million to 11,700 years ago.
• During the Pleistocene, mammoths and sabertooth cats roamed the Earth.
• Back in the Pleistocene, it was all about survival of the fittest.
• The rapid changes in technology make it feel like we are living in the Pleistocene era of the digital age.

adjective relating to or characteristic of prokaryotes, which are single-celled organisms that do not have a membrane-bound nucleus

• Prokaryotic cells lack a nucleus and other membrane-bound organelles.
• Prokaryotic cells are the simple ones without a nucleus.
• Prokaryotic cells are like the basic building blocks of life.
• In the world of cells, prokaryotic organisms are the pioneers, keeping it simple yet efficient.

noun Abbreviation for Major Histocompatibility Complex, a group of genes that code for proteins found on the surface of cells that help the immune system recognize foreign substances.

• The major histocompatibility complex (MHC) plays a crucial role in the immune system's ability to distinguish self from non-self.
• Scientists are studying the MHC to better understand how our immune system works.
• I heard that MHC is like the bouncer of our immune system, deciding who gets in and who doesn't.
• The MHC acts like a security guard, ensuring only the right 'guests' are allowed into the immune system party.

noun a geological era that lasted from about 541 to 252 million years ago, characterized by the development of marine life, the first appearance of land plants, and the formation of continents as we know them today

• The Paleozoic era is known for the diversification of life forms and the emergence of complex organisms.
• Back in the Paleozoic days, life was just starting to get interesting.
• The Paleozoic era was when all the cool creatures first showed up.
• Exploring the Paleozoic era is like stepping into a time machine and witnessing the birth of life on Earth.

noun a large, extinct mammal of the order Dinotheria, resembling an elephant but with downward-curving tusks

adjective relating to or characteristic of dinothere

• The dinothere is an extinct mammal species that lived during the Oligocene and Miocene epochs.
• Have you heard about the dinothere? It was like a prehistoric elephant!
• That dinothere creature was massive, like something out of a dinosaur movie.
• Her old car was a real dinothere, always breaking down and causing trouble.

noun A scientist who studies fossils to learn about organisms that lived in the past

• The paleontologist carefully excavated the dinosaur fossils from the dig site.
• My friend is studying to become a paleontologist and is obsessed with all things prehistoric.
• Some people think paleontologists just dig up old bones, but it's much more complex than that.
• As a paleontologist of human behavior, she was able to uncover the hidden truths of society.

adjective relating to the study of ancient life through fossils

• The paleontological research team discovered a new species of dinosaur in the fossil bed.
• I heard that the paleontological dig found some cool fossils out in the desert.
• Check out this sweet paleontological find we stumbled upon while hiking!
• Exploring the depths of history is like embarking on a paleontological journey through time.

noun The Cenozoic era, the most recent geological era, spanning from 66 million years ago to the present.

• The Cenozoic era is also known as the Age of Mammals.
• The Cenozoic era is when all the cool mammals started showing up.
• The Cenozoic era was like the heyday for mammals, they were everywhere!
• The Cenozoic era was like the dawn of a new age for mammals, paving the way for their dominance.

noun a type of herbivorous dinosaur that lived during the Cretaceous Period

• The hadrosaur is a type of herbivorous dinosaur that lived during the Late Cretaceous period.
• Did you know that the hadrosaur was also known as the 'duck-billed dinosaur'?
• I heard that the hadrosaur was like the hipster of the dinosaur world with its unique duck-like bill.
• The hadrosaur roamed the earth millions of years ago, leaving behind a legacy of ancient mysteries.

adjective having a projecting lower jaw or chin

• The patient exhibited a prognathous jaw, which may require surgical correction.
• I heard that guy has a prognathous jaw, like a bulldog.
• His prognathous jaw makes him look like he's always ready to bite someone.
• Her words had a prognathous impact, leaving a lasting impression on the audience.

noun a reproductive organ found in some male reptiles, such as snakes and lizards, that has two parts or lobes

• The hemipenis is a reproductive organ found in some species of reptiles.
• Did you know that male snakes have a hemipenis instead of a regular penis?
• That snake's got a double dong with its hemipenis!
• His ability to adapt to different situations is like having a hemipenis, versatile and unique.

noun a type of large predatory dinosaur belonging to the Tyrannosauridae family

• The new fossil discovery was identified as a tyrannosaurid, a type of large carnivorous dinosaur.
• I heard that they found a tyrannosaurid fossil out in the desert.
• Check out this cool tyrannosaurid bone I found while hiking!
• His boss was like a tyrannosaurid, always breathing down his neck and demanding perfection.

noun an organism that generates heat to maintain its body temperature, typically by metabolic processes

• Endotherms are organisms that can regulate their body temperature internally.
• Endotherms are animals that can control their own body heat.
• Endotherms are the cool kids who can keep themselves warm.
• Being an endotherm in a cold environment is like having your own personal heater.

adjective relating to the belief that living organisms can arise from non-living matter; pertaining to abiogenesis

• The theory of abiogenetic origin suggests that life arose from non-living matter.
• Some scientists believe in abiogenetic processes as the origin of life.
• I heard about this crazy abiogenetic idea that life just popped up out of nowhere.
• The abiogenetic growth of the organization can be attributed to its innovative strategies.

noun a taxonomic group of extinct spiny sharks

• The acanthodei are an extinct group of primitive jawed fish.
• I just learned about acanthodei in my biology class.
• Those acanthodei fish are pretty cool looking.
• The acanthodei were like the pioneers of jawed fish evolution.

noun Acanthodes is a noun referring to an extinct genus of jawed fish that lived during the Devonian period.

• Acanthodes is an extinct genus of primitive jawed fish that lived during the Silurian period.
• Did you know that acanthodes is considered one of the earliest jawed fish species?
• I heard that acanthodes was like the OG jawed fish back in the day.
• The acanthodes in the fossil record serve as a reminder of the ancient origins of jawed vertebrates.

noun a type of fish characterized by spiny fins

adjective relating to or characteristic of the acanthopterygians

• The acanthopterygian fish is characterized by its spiny fins.
• I saw a cool acanthopterygian fish at the aquarium today.
• Check out that funky acanthopterygian swimming around!
• Her sharp wit was like that of an acanthopterygian fish, cutting through the conversation with precision.

noun Aceratherium is a genus of extinct rhinoceros that lived during the Miocene epoch.

• The aceratherium is an extinct genus of rhinoceros that lived during the Oligocene epoch.
• I heard that the aceratherium was a really big rhino-like animal from a long time ago.
• Check out that ancient aceratherium, it's like a prehistoric rhino!
• The aceratherium in the room that no one wants to talk about is our declining sales numbers.

adjective describing a plant that lacks petals or sepals

• The achlamydeous flowers lack petals and sepals.
• Those weird flowers without petals or sepals are achlamydeous.
• Check out those naked flowers, they're achlamydeous!
• Her achlamydeous personality left her devoid of any emotional layers.

noun a plural form of the noun 'acicula', which refers to a needle-like structure found in certain organisms

• The aciculae on the pine tree's needles help protect it from predators.
• I accidentally pricked myself on one of the aciculae while gardening.
• Watch out for those sharp aciculae, they can really hurt if you're not careful.
• Her words were like aciculae, piercing through his defenses and leaving him vulnerable.

noun a type of fish belonging to the order Acipenseriformes, which includes sturgeons and paddlefish

• The acipenseroid fish is known for its long lifespan and slow growth rate.
• I saw a huge acipenseroid fish while out fishing yesterday.
• That acipenseroid is one big fish!
• Her wisdom was like that of an acipenseroid, growing slowly but steadily over time.

noun a taxonomic group of animals that lack a body cavity or coelom

• Acoelomata is a phylum of animals characterized by the absence of a body cavity.
• Did you know acoelomata animals don't have a body cavity?
• Those acoelomata critters have no space inside their bodies.
• Living without a body cavity is like being an acoelomata in a world full of spaces.

noun a type of organism that lacks a body cavity between the gut and outer body wall

• Acoelomate organisms lack a true body cavity between the gut and body wall.
• Did you know that acoelomate animals don't have a proper body cavity?
• Hey, check it out - acoelomate critters have no real space inside their bodies!
• Living like an acoelomate means having no room for unnecessary baggage in your life.

noun a taxonomic group comprising animals that lack a cranium or skull, such as hagfishes and lampreys

• Acraniata is a subphylum of animals that lack a distinct skull.
• I learned in biology class that acraniata are animals without a skull.
• Those acraniata critters don't have a head bone.
• In the business world, being an acraniata can represent someone who lacks leadership skills.

noun a philosophical theory that emphasizes the existence of concrete objects and the reality of objective facts

• Actualism is a philosophical doctrine that holds that reality exists independently of the mind.
• I've been reading up on actualism and it's a really interesting concept.
• Actualism is like believing in the real deal, no bs.
• In a world full of illusions, actualism helps us see things as they truly are.

noun a type of reproduction in which offspring are produced without the need for fertilization

• Agamogenesis is a form of reproduction that does not involve the union of male and female gametes.
• I just learned about agamogenesis in my biology class. It's a pretty interesting concept.
• Agamogenesis sounds like some sci-fi stuff, right?
• In the world of ideas, creativity can be seen as a form of agamogenesis, where new concepts are born without the need for external influences.

adjective resembling or characteristic of a lizard

• The scientist studied the agamoid lizard species in great detail.
• I heard that agamoid lizards are pretty unique creatures.
• Those agamoid lizards are like little alien creatures!
• Her personality was as mysterious and elusive as an agamoid lizard.