Biology Dictionary

  • Metamerism

    Metamerism

    The repetition of body segments in certain animals, leading to a segmented body plan, commonly seen in annelids and arthropods.

  • Metamorphosis

    Metamorphosis

    The process of transformation from one life stage to another, often involving significant changes in form, such as in insects or amphibians.

  • Metanephridium

    Metanephridium

    A type of excretory structure found in some invertebrates, such as annelids, involved in the filtration of waste products.

  • Metaphase

    Metaphase

    The stage in mitosis and meiosis when chromosomes align at the cell’s equatorial plane before being separated into daughter cells.

  • Metaphase I

    Metaphase I

    The stage in meiosis I when homologous chromosomes align at the cell’s equator in preparation for separation.

  • Metaphase II

    Metaphase II

    The stage in meiosis II when sister chromatids align at the equatorial plane in preparation for separation into daughter cells.

  • Metaphase plate

    Metaphase plate

    The imaginary plane at the center of the cell where chromosomes align during metaphase in mitosis and meiosis.

  • Metastasis

    Metastasis

    The spread of cancer cells from the original (primary) site to other parts of the body, forming secondary tumors.

  • Mesophyte

    Mesophyte

    A plant that grows in environments with moderate water availability, neither too dry nor too wet.

  • Mesozoic era

    Mesozoic era

    A geologic era that lasted from about 252 to 66 million years ago, marked by the rise and fall of dinosaurs, as well as the appearance of the first birds and mammals.