Astronomy Online

A scientific dictionary is a niche product.  Scientists find it very useful.  There are many different categories, or types, of these dictionaries.  They cover all the sciences from biology, chemistry, to physics and in others.  Let’s take a look at some of them.  

One scientific dictionary is found on line.  It’s called Kimball’s Biology Pages.  It includes a search engine as well as an alphabetic list.  The alphabetic list leads to many index pages each one about a different subject.  Let’s look at one of these.

In this online scientific dictionary the letter z index page includes as zygotene.  That’s the name given to a process by which cells separate into chromosomes inside the nucleus.  This only happens in some cells.  The cell must be encased within a membrane.

The scientific dictionary also contains information about chimera.  This is also called a genetic mosaic.  This is the creation when two different early embryos are combined into one.  This process has been known to occur in humans.  The name comes from the Greek monster.  It had a lion’s head, a goat’s body and a serpent’s tail.

The scientific dictionary chimera is not the chimera of mythology.  It was a native of Lycia in Asia minor.  Homer wrote about it in the Iliad.  This creature could also breathe fire.  In some stories it had three heads, one each of the lion, goat, and serpent.

The chimera’s sibling monster won’t be found in the scientific dictionary either.  It was the Hydra.  This was another creature with multiple heads.  Hercules faced one of them.  When one head was cut off, two more would grow instantly in its place.  Needless to say it was very difficult to kill.

A scientific dictionary might also teach math to kids.  The online version includes interactive and animated displays.  There’s a lot of good knowledge to be gained from it.  One thing it mentions is an acute angle.  It’s an angle that’s less than 90°.  A cartoon pelican demonstrates the concept with its beak.  

This math scientific dictionary for kids also demonstrates area.  That’s how much space something uses.  To show this kids can drag various shapes over a grid and then count the number of squares taken up by the shape.  It shows the grid both in metric and standard units.

The possibilities are endless.  Chances are if you’re a scientist, or interested in science, you will find use in a scientific dictionary.