UCMP Glossary: L

| A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z |

lamina -- Any broad and flattened region of a plant or alga, which allows for increased photosynthetic surface area.

laminarin -- a beta-glucan polysaccharide produced by many chromists through photosynthesis.

larva -- Among invertebrates, an immature stage in the life cycle which usually is much smaller than, and morphologically different from, the adult. In insects with metamorphosis, the larva must become a pupa before reaching adulthood.

Laurasia -- n. A supercontinent that existed from the Jurassic to Early Tertiary after splitting from Pangea; composed of Laurentia, Baltica, Avalonia, (modern North America, Scandinavia, Greenland, Western and Central Europe); eventually fragmented into Eurasia and North America in the Tertiary with the opening of the North Atlantic Ocean.

Laurentia -- n. A separate continental plate that existed from the Late Precambrian to Silurian, consisting of the major part of North America, northwest Ireland, Scotland, Greenland, and pieces of Norway and Russia.

lava -- Any molten material that is extrusive or volcanic, or the rock that forms from a molten extrusive.

leaf -- An organ found in most vascular plants; it consists of a flat lamina (blade) and a petiole (stalk). Many flowering plants have additionally a pair of small stipules near the base of the petiole.

leaf trace -- The strand of vascular tissue which connects the leaf veins to the central vascular system of the stem.

leaflet -- In a compound leaf, the individual blades are called leaflets.

librigenae -- The "free cheeks"; separate, detachable portions of the trilobite cephalon. More info?

limestone -- A carbonate sedimentary rock composed of more than 50 percent of the mineral calcium carbonate (CaCO3).

limnology -- The study of river system ecology and life.

limy -- adj. Describes sediments, soils, or rocks that contain a significant amount of lime (calcium oxide, CaO).

lineage -- Any continuous line of descent; any series of organisms connected by reproduction by parent of offspring.

lipids -- a class of biochemical compounds which includes fats, oils, and waxes.

litter -- Leaf litter, or forest litter, is the detritus of fallen leaves and bark which accumulate in forests.

loess -- n. A widespread, loose deposit consisting mainly of silt; most loess deposits formed during the Pleistocene as an accumulation of wind-blown dust carried from deserts, alluvial plains, or glacial deposits.

lophophore -- Complex ring of hollow tentacles used as a feeding organ. The tentacles are covered by cilia, which generate a current to bring food particles into the mouth. The structure is only found in the brachiopods, phoronids, and bryozoans. More info?

lorica -- A vase-shaped or cup-shaped outer covering. Found in many protists, including some flagellates, ciliates, chrysophytes, and choanoflagellates, as well as in some animal cells.

lowland -- n. (adj.) Large area of relatively low relief, usually applied to coastal regions that do not rise high above sea level. upland, highland – ant.

luciferase -- enzyme which activates luciferin to produce bioluminescence.

luciferin -- compound whose activated form emits light.

lysosome -- Eukaryotic organelle which carries digestive enzymes. The lyzosome fuses with a vacuolar membrane containing ingested particles, which are then acted upon by the enzymes.

Last updated:2009-11-12