Biological Bywords

RitaA. Hoots

WIATORDS are the labels we assign to things, actions terms. Language is needed, not only to communi- and ideas. By using symbolic language to cate, but to process and refine thinking. Without the "chunk" together details delivered to memory, we symbols to precisely translate and express ideas, can use these terms to trigger the retrieval and verbal exchanges tend to rely on the abused and reassociation of myriad bits of information into pat- vacuous "you know what I mean" type catch-alls. terns of thought. "Chunk"is a term used in cognitive When the mind is prepared to deal with these psychology to designate a group of items of informa- coded ideas, then the words and their representa- tion that can be remembered as a single item. tions initiate mental adventures of shuffling thoughts Through the magic of words, we can capture and that recombineto generate furtherelaborations in the Downloaded from http://online.ucpress.edu/abt/article-pdf/53/6/335/45371/4449320.pdf by guest on 28 September 2021 encode information and ideas which can later be construction of understanding. When the words fail retrieved and further developed. This filing system to evoke clear images, the decoding apparatus short enables us to handle masses of impressions that circuits and leads to annoying frustration or even can be molded and expressively refined to enlarge anger. Years ago, one of my 10th graders teased his understanding. Barringmental telepathy (a slim hope mother by calling her a heterotrophic omnivore. He for most of us), words are our means of bringing to got his face slapped the first time for using obscene mind ideas and images that become focused and language, and when he couldn't stop laughing and identified. explained what the words meant, he was slapped The natural sciences are accused of being wordy, again for being such a wise guy. excessively so, by the non-specialist. But enter any Strange words frequently reveal their meanings specialty, whether it be carpentry or chemistry, and through contextual use, similarityto known vocabu- the novice, without proper introduction to the key lary, by their sounds or by analysis of their parts. words and their contextual significance, will feel both Names can be tantalizing from the ideas they conjure insulted and verbally assaulted by the unfamiliar up or stressful because they have no logical memory vocabulary and usage of one's native tongue. Con- attachments and add to rootless clutter. Words are sider the word header. To a grower, this term may what we make of them and they can be powerful mean a machine that reaps the heads of grains; to a tools for those prepared to handle them. For the plumber, a special piece of pipe; to a carpenter, a unprepared, they can clog and close the mind. The wooden beam; to a soccer player, a fall; and for biological sciences have been accused of excessive others, it may mean something entirely different. terminology. But it is the usefulness and application Think how a neophyte might react to reading about of the vocabularythat should be examined. the "degenerate" genetic code. Ratherthan ascribing Listed below are some words I came across recently a perverse baseness to the series of codons, the term that initially perplexed me. Many of the terms were specifically refers to the redundancy of the triplets jotted down while reading Kricher'sbook on tropical which may code for more than one amino acid. rain forests (Kricher 1989). Others were picked up As information increases and understanding from the newspapers or heard on the street. Some sharpens, more names are affixed to developing will be thrown to the trivia trash, while others will ideas, materials and phenomena. Words are devised be incorporated into my language network and ap- to fit the more precise representation of the parts or preciated for the insights they provoke. Check how the retailored aspect of the whole. Just by way of user friendly these terms appear to you and whether example, terms associated with the word chromo- or not they can or will fit into your mental filing somes might include some of the following: chroma- system. tin, kinetochore, centromere, telomere, nucleosome, Eremology-This noun made the headlines as one DNA and histone. The greater your expertise in this of the words that stumped contenders in the final area, the larger and more complex your mental map rounds of the 1990 National Spelling Bee. It continu- grows as it inserts additional categorical reference ally perplexes me why honors should be given for the spelling of words that one doesn't understand and will probably never use, because no one else will Rita A. Hoots teaches biology, anatomy and chemistry at Yuba College, 41605 Gibson Rd., Woodland, CA 95695. understand them either. The word is not listed in my 1500-pagereference dictionary(Morris 1975) or in my

BIOLOGICAL335 science glossaries (Walker 1989; Abercrombie et al. More commonly known as camouflage, this term 1970). Finally, in a reference of word roots (Borror refers to protective coloration matching creatures to 1971), I located "erem" (Gk)for "a lonely place." (The some part of their environment. The sloth hanging in news story did define the word as the science asso- its tree has algae growing within grooves of its hairs ciated with the desert.) which give the fur a greenish tinge, helping it to I finally consulted Webster's dictionary (1966), the better blend in with the background. reference authority that sits on a reinforcedtable in a Aposematic Coloration-If you see this color, stay secluded corner of the library. And there, alphabeti- away. This warning colorationmeans that something cally listed in this unabridged version, wa8 "eremol- bad will happen if you eat me. It may take a while ogy" as the science concerned with the desert and its to associate the red of the dart poison frog with phenomena. While scanning the neighboring list- death but the faster you color adapt, the better you ings, I came across the word "eremite,"one I've used survive. before but only in crossword puzzles for seven letters Allelochemics-Chemical compounds produced to define a desert recluse or hermit . .. now I see the association. by plants for their own protection. Defense chemicals Myrmecologist-Someone like E. 0. Wilson, an may harm other plants or feeders. These chemicals may be cyanides, ant specialist who noted 43 species of ants feeding in oxalates, tannins, alkaloids, phe- Downloaded from http://online.ucpress.edu/abt/article-pdf/53/6/335/45371/4449320.pdf by guest on 28 September 2021 just one tree in the Amazon. Good thing he stayed nols, terpenes, saponins and a host of other com- out of the British Isles, as that figure approximates pounds. These chemical arsenals are what research- the total number of ant species found there. ers want to include within their pharmacopoeia. Myrmecophagous-After E. 0. Wilson, this Triskaidekaphobia-I try not to read tee shirts, but should be a snap. Think of ant eaters. There probably this word and its translationwere on a body in front is a special term to describe chocolate-covered-ant of me while I was trapped in line. It refers to a fear of eaters, but I haven't stumbled across it yet. the number 13, especially when it falls on a Friday. Myrmecochory-Gk. "myrmex"for ant, "kore"for Ideas are captured by words, but in order to hold dispersal. Mutualistic relationship where ants serve onto the vocabulary the idea must be meaningful. plants by dispersing the seeds while the seeds While definitions of words do help, the learner must provide the ants with a food reward. I picked up be able to use the image to construct and elaborate elaiosomes with this one, "elaio" for olive oil, furtherconceptions. Terms need to be linked to some "some" for body; these fat bodies are attached to prior knowledge to enable associations and the proc- seeds. Ants pick up and move the seeds, eat the fat essing of new constructions with deeper meanings. only and then discard the seed. Ants' antics are Words serve as a filing system for ideas; they are astounding. constantly being reshuffled and refiled as our under- Frugivorous-It doesn't refer to frugal feeding, but standing and discernment increases. it does describe fruit-eating forms. I would have Some words can easily enter into our lexicon, but thought "fructivorous" to be a more sensible con- lacking the proper preparation, words can become struction, but then I never studied Latin or Greek. tediously tiresome. This is what the science teacher Conjureup some frugivorous or piscivorous bats, but must be aware of; the of if you're squeamish don't translate sanguivorous. language science tries to be as Arachibutyrophobia-Start from the end and work precise as the limits of knowledge permit, but forward. Fear of "butyr" for butter, and "arach"for without the proper preparation and interest, it is a leguminous plant. The peanut is not a nut, it is a language that can be formidable for the unprepared legume. So this jaw cracker just refers to a fear of learner. The prepared mind will readily assimilate peanut butter . . . sticking to the roof of your mouth. terminology as tools for developing thought and Cauliflory-It-doesn't refer to mangled ear lobes, advancing understanding. but this new word filled me with delight. For the first Science teachers have been criticized for throw- time this summer, in the Central American rain ing excessive, useless terminology at their students forest, I saw the Theobromacacao tree with its cacao, and have been exhorted to stress process over vocab- the fruit of the gods, sprouting straight out from the ulary. Temper the urge to switch camps, and weigh trunk. The picture did not fit into the stereotypic these mutually dependent approaches; then adjust picture of fruit hanging from twigs or branches. So the pedagogy to fit the student. Representations the word describes flowers and fruit emerging di- require definitions of mental models for the develop- rectly off the stem or stalk (caul). And now I have the ment of conceptual processing. With sensitivity, en- icon to describe this incongruous appearing plant thusiasm, humor and common sense as the lexicon character. tools of science, the shorthand symbols of science Crypsis or Cryptic Coloration-Puzzle fans or knowledge can and should be transferred to the grave diggers know that "cryps" means hidden. learner.

336 THEAMERICAN BIOLOGY TEACHER, VOLUME 53, NO. 6, SEPTEMBER1991 References Walker,Peter M.B. (Ed.) (1989). Chambersbiology dictionary. Edinburgh,Scotland: W & R ChambersLtd. Kricher,John C. (1989). A neotropicalcompanion. Princeton, Abercrombie,M., Hickman, C.J. & Johnson, M.L. (1970). NJ: Princeton University Press. A dictionaryof biology. Middlesex, England: Penguin Morris, William (Ed.). (1975). TheAmerican hertitage dictio- Books. naryof theEnglish language. New York:American Heritage PublicationCompany. Webster'sthird new internationaldictionary of the English Borror,Donald J. (1971). Dictionaryof wordroots and combin- language. (1966). (Unabridged)(1966). G. & C. Merriam ing forms.Palo Alto, CA: National Press Books. Co., Springfield, MA.

IMEMBERSHIP APPLICATION I Send to: NABT, 11250 Roger Bacon Dr. #19, Reston, VA Pleasecomplete the following to help NABTbetter serve your 22090 needs: Downloaded from http://online.ucpress.edu/abt/article-pdf/53/6/335/45371/4449320.pdf by guest on 28 September 2021

YES, I want to join NABT and receive all memberbenefits, 1. ProfessionalClass (check one only) I including 8 issues of TheAmerican Biology Teacher, 5 of News B BiologyTeacher I & Views,convention and publicationdiscounts and more. D = DepartmentHead Dr./M S Supervisor/Administrator T Teacher Training Address U Student

Address0 _ Other

2. Male _ Female (optional answer) City State Zip_~ City State______Zip 3. EthnicBackground (optional answer) | A American Indian/Alaskan Native I This is my ______home ______business B _ Asian/Pacific Islander I Type of Membership C Black (not of Hispanicorigin) Active member (U.S., Canada, Mexico) $38/yr D Hispanic (US dollars) E White (not of Hispanicorigin) Foreign member $75/yr (US dollars) 4 I Student member, $19/yr (open to regularly 4. Numberofyearsteaching matriculatedstudents not in full-timeemployment) 5.5 OOrganizational CClass (check one only) Signatureof facultymember requiredbelow: -EL _ Elementary H I ~~~~~~~~~~~JH__ Middle/Junior HighI Retiredmember, $19/yr (at least 60 years old, SE MiddSecondary 10 continuousyears as active memberof NABT) JC ToeTwo-Year College - Spouse member, $13/yr CU College/University (when accompanied by an active membership) 0 - Other______Sustaining($380/yr) or Organizational($1 00/yr) member (corporatemembership) 6. Membershipin OtherNational Scientific Organizations Life member (one payment): Ages 21-29: $950; A AAAS 30-39: $775; 40-49: $650; 50-59: $475; 60+: $350 B AETS C AIBS | Check enclosed or charge to: VISA MasterCard D ASCD I E NARST I Acct.#Fcc#F NSSA I Expiration date G NSTA ~ Expirationdate______H = Other

Card holder 7. Select NABTSection(s) in whichyou have an active interest: SignatureSignature______Two-YearCollege Biology Four-YearCollege BiologyTeachers I $25 of membershipdues goes toward a subscriptionto The Role and Status of Women in Biology Education l I AmericanBiology Teacher for each year joined,except spouse Elementary/MiddleSchool l l members,in which case only the sponsoringactive member l l receives a subscriptionto be shared between the 2 persons. ABT9/91

BIOLOGICAL337