Glossary
Antipode
The point diametrically opposite to a given point on the surface of the earth (on the opposite side of the earth, so to speak)
Artificial Life (or alife)
Study of biological systems and processes (like evolution) usually using computers. Artificial life tries to simulate life processes, often from fundamentals, using computer software and/or hardware.
Basho
A renowned Japanese haiku poet. See also Haiku.
Cambrian
A geological period that began nearly 550 million years ago and lasted about 50 million years. During this period there was a tremendous outpouring or ‘explosion’ of new species on the earth. Pre-Cambrian refers to time periods prior to this Cambrian ‘explosion’.
Carbohydrate
The most abundant form of bio-molecules, built from carbon, hydrogen and oxygen (hydrate = add water). Usually found as sugars and starch. A simple form of carbohydrate, called glucose, is the most common energy source used in living cells.
Celestial Equator
The projection of earth’s equator out into space, onto the apparent celestial ‘sphere’ that surrounds the solar system. Since the earth’s axis is tilted, this celestial equator is tilted away from the earth’s orbital plane.
See also: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Celestial_Equator.gif
Cenozoic (Era)
The period after the demise of the dinosaurs (see Mesozoic), till today. Literally, the era of “new life”. The Cenozoic Era began roughly 65 million years ago.
Cephalothorax (of spider)
The first of the two main parts of the spider. Combines the head and chest area and carries the brain, mouth parts, fangs and the four pairs of legs.
Chakras
Eastern term for energy centers co-located along the spine, with seven major and innumerable minor centers. Chakras other than the root chakra (see also kundalini) are bridges or connections with the higher self.
Christ
Love facet of the Godhead.
Condensation Nuclei (clouds)
Water vapor condenses and forms small droplets, even ice, around tiny particles of dust. The dust in this case becomes the nucleus or central portion of the droplet or ice crystal. Smoke, sea salt as well as many air pollutants can also serve as condensation nuclei.
Cones (eye)
Photoreceptor cells in the retina of the eye, numbering in a few millions. Cone cells enable the perception of color.
Cross-over (genetic)
A biological process that results in the exchange of genes between chromosomes during cell division. One of the sources of genetic variation, making newly formed cells different from one another.
Crust (of the earth)
The earth’s hard outer layer or shell, which composes the land masses and the sea floor. The crust is distinguished as continental crust and oceanic crust.
Cumulonimbus (cloud)
A very tall, dense and menacing thunder cloud usually with an anvil shape on top and consisting of ice crystals, reaching up to the tropopause (see glossary).
Darwinian Evolution/Selection
Evolution through natural selection as proposed by Darwin (see Evolution). In Darwinian evolution (as opposed to that of Lamarck), acquired characteristics are not inheritable.
Ecosystem
A community of plants, animals and other organisms that interact and coexist within an environment.
Ecliptic
The apparent path of the sun through the “disc” of the Zodiac (see glossary), making a great circle through all the constellations.
See also: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Ecliptic_path.jpg
Embryogenesis
The process by which an embryo within an egg develops into a creature, acquiring form, function and ‘life’. Embryogenesis remains largely a mystery though it is well observed and some of its underlying principles are understood. It is arguably the most complex (and also the most common) process that happens on the planet.
Enlightenment
Literally, ‘to be lighted up’. A highly loaded mystical concept, found in various religious and metaphysical contexts. Briefly, it implies liberation of the personal or lower self.
Equinox
The two intersection points of the great celestial ‘circles’, viz. the ecliptic and the celestial equator (see glossary). When earth reaches the equinox point, the center of the Sun is directly over the earth’s equator. The two equinox points are called the vernal and autumnal equinoxes respectively.
Equinox Precession
The earth’s axis slowly ‘wobbles’ as it rotates, similar to a spinning top. Consequently, the celestial equator (see glossary) also ‘wobbles’. This causes the equinox points to move against the backdrop of the zodiac. The period of one ‘wobble’ is about 25,765 years wherein an equinox traverses the 12 zodiac signs. This means that approximately every 2147 years, an equinox enters a different Zodiac sign.
Evolution
Loosely, changes in the attributes or traits of an organism or a population over generational time. Usually equated with the principle of ‘evolution through natural selection’. Evolution does not imply that populations become any “better” in human terms, only that they become better adapted to do what they do.
Flowering (Induction)
Flowering differentiates a mature tree or plant from a juvenile one. Biochemical induction to flowering is thought to be the action of a class of plant hormones called cytokinins, produced in leaves.
Fractals
A mathematical concept of ‘fractional dimension’ that applies to geometric shapes (other than common geometric figures) that are self similar. A good example is an idealized fern, the leaves of which resemble another fern each, the leaves of which resemble another fern each, and so on. If the smaller units of such an object look similar to the object itself, then there is self similarity and the object may be loosely called as having a ‘fractal’ nature. Fractal compositions are commonly found in nature.
Gene pool
Simply put, the collection of all unique genes in a population. All the genes in the pool may not be expressed at a given time, as some may be remaining dormant (unexpressed) in the population.
Haiku
A type of Japanese poetry that uses a few apparently simple lines to “paint a picture” in the reader’s mind.
Hasthinapura
The capital city in the Indian epic of the Mahabharata; the residence of the main players of the story. The name is usually considered a derivation of Hasthin (elephant) and Pura (city) implying: City of the Elephant(s). The name also allows a more interesting derivation: Hasth (hand/palm), ina (belonging or pertaining to), Pura (city). Translated: The city of the hand.
Hydrocarbons
Complex chemical compounds built from hydrogen and carbon. Most natural fuels like coal, petroleum and natural gas are composed of hydrocarbons. Hydrocarbons have high energy potential which is released when oxidized (burnt).
Hypsography
Studies the height and depth of various land and sea floor masses against the sea level. Hypsographic charts reveal land and sea mass distribution, and their inter-relationships if any.
Ionosphere
An atmospheric layer that stretches from 50 miles to nearly 120 miles high, with temperatures exceeding 2500 degrees Fahrenheit under certain conditions. This layer is ionized (molecules split apart into charged ions) by solar radiation. Also known as the thermosphere due to the extreme temperatures in this layer.
Koan
A statement or question that appears nonsensical to the rational mind, but might be understood intuitively. A popular example is “listen to the sound of one-hand clapping”.
Kundalini
Literally, ‘dweller below'. Sanskrit ‘kunda’ means pit or depths and ‘lina’ means latent or merged in (there are other meanings as well, but this one is a perfect match). The term refers to energy that is tapped from the earth and distributed into the body by a ‘root chakra’ which is co-located at the bottom of the spine. The earth being an immense source of energy in human terms, so is the kundalini. This energy is considered feminine. See also ‘chakras’.
Mesozoic (Era)
The time of the Dinosaurs, consisting of the Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous periods. Started about 250 million years ago and lasted some 180 million years.
Metabolism
The bio-chemical reactions occurring in cells that help sustain life.
Mountain building
Mountains are thought to be formed as a result of the earth’s tectonic plates (see glossary) pressing against one another, causing the crust to rise and fold. The altitude of various land masses are also an effect from the expansion of rock due to heat from below.
Mitosis
The process of cell division whereby a cell divides into two daughter cells, each having identical genetic information as the original cell.
Mutation
A change in the DNA sequence of a gene, that potentially changes gene behavior. Mutations are thought to occur randomly, such as due to radiation. Mutation creates diversity in the gene pool (see glossary)
Natural Selection
In simple terms, the survival of the fittest. Nature ‘selects’ the genes of those that survive (by killing unfit ones), enabling the survivors to reproduce and pass on their genes. Survival and reproductive ability are capabilities usually attributed to genetic factors. The better (fitter) genes reproduce more and the failed ones disappear or stay dormant in the gene pool.
Niche (ecological)
Loosely, the environment where a creature or organism thrives. Two species may ‘appear’ to share the same environment, but may have different niches. For example, one species of bird may forage on the tops of the trees in a forest, with another species foraging at a different level of the same trees.
Persona
A social mask or a character played by an actor. In this book, the term refers to any specific ‘identity’ of a human being (such as father, son, husband, friend, scientist, spiritual seeker, boss etc.) with its associated attributes, emotions and concepts.
Personality
In this book, it refers to the supposed ‘I’ of a human being with all its associated attributes. The personality is considered an extension or projection from the soul or higher self.
Plankton
Tiny organisms that thrive en masse in the oceans and other waters. Many types of plankton are capable of photosynthesis, using solar energy to synthesize food. Plankton are more or less the equivalent of plants on land, in terms of the food chain and the sustaining of life on earth.
Photic Zone (sea)
The upper layer of the sea where light penetrates. Up to about 250 feet below the sea level, the waters are lighted enough for photosynthesis. Light does penetrate further to about 700 feet below sea level, but is not sufficiently strong for photosynthesis.
Photosynthesis
Biochemical reactions that take place in plants (leaves) that use light or energy from the sun, combined with water and carbon dioxide from the air to produce food in the form of carbohydrates such as glucose, sucrose and starch.
Plasma state
At higher temperatures (meaning higher energies), the attraction forces that bind electrons with the positive nucleus of its atom are overcome, enabling them to break free of each other. Often referred to as the fourth state of matter, plasma consists of electrically charged particles like protons and electrons, and also particles like neutrons, moving about akin to molecules in a gas. Much of the stellar ‘gas’ in the cosmos is in this state.
Samskara
Eastern religious term referring to an ingrained subtle impression in consciousness which might express as one or more personality traits.
Sea floor spreading
See also Subduction. At divergent boundaries of tectonic plates (see glossary), magma comes up from the deep mantle and spreads out on the sea floor. As the plates are divergent (moving apart), the sea floor extends. The other end of the plates may be subject to subduction. This can create a convection ‘current’ of matter between the mantle and the crust.
Selective Pressure
See also ‘Natural Selection’. Refers to the ‘pressure’ or ‘tendency’ of an environment to force selection of genes that are better suited for it. An aquatic environment for example might ‘reward’ genes that help create webbed feet. Use of antibiotics, for example, might encourage selection of bacteria that are resistant to those antibiotics (since the rest die and the few survivors reproduce and create a new generation that is resistant to the drug).
Simulation
The imitation of something real, usually in a limited way, for study purposes. A computer may ‘simulate’ star formation and star distribution in galaxies based on theories or hypotheses. A very useful tool for scientists.
Stratosphere
An atmospheric layer above the tropopause (see glossary) stretching up to 30 miles high. Temperature starts rising with altitude in the stratosphere. The ozone layer is found here, which absorbs most of the harmful ultraviolet rays from the sun.
Subduction (Zone)
Process of slipping under. When the earth’s plates (see glossary) ‘collide’ against one another, one of the plates can slide underneath the other, into the mantle. This zone is prone to volcanoes and earthquakes. As a plate slides under, matter is recycled into the deep mantle below. Compensating matter comes up from the mantle at divergent boundaries of plates.
Tectonic Plates
The earth’s crust that forms the land mass and the ocean floor, is broken into a collection of huge ‘plates’ that float over the denser mantle (deeper in the earth). These ‘plates’ move about, resulting in continents drifting apart or coming together over millions of years. The plates ‘collide’ with each other, creating earthquake and volcanic activity.
Temperature Inversion
A deviation from normal progression of temperature with altitude - such as a sudden increase in temperature in place of an expected decrease or vice versa.
Tropopause
An atmospheric layer about 6 miles high where temperature stops decreasing with altitude and starts increasing (see temperature inversion). The tops of thunderclouds usually hit the tropopause and spread out to form an anvil shape.
Truth-Consciousness-Bliss
Mystical conception of the ultimate reality. A literal translation of sat-chit-ananda (Sanskrit). Considered one of the highest experiences of oneness on the theistic path.
Vasana
Eastern religious term for a congenital personality trait, the expression of a samskara (see above)
Zodiac
Ancient term used for constellations in the sky. The orbits of the various planets form something of a disc around the sun, and the stars in the sky viewed along the periphery of this disc are divided into twelve ‘constellations’ or Zodiac signs, commonly found in astrological treatises. Each Zodiac constellation is given a symbol (usually an animal) and a name.