The vast coniferous forests in the northern hemisphere contain evergreen trees, including cedars, firs, larches, pines and spruces. They are all called softwoods, though some are quite hard. But most are easy to work and have many uses, including the making of paper. Deciduous, or broadleaved, trees grow in temperate lands. They include ash, beech, birch, chestnut, oak, sycamore and …
Read More »What are the grand and Dogger Banks?
Around the continents are shallow seas covering the continental shelves. These seas contain most of the world’s chief fishing grounds, some of which are called banks. The Grand Banks, off the south-east coast of Newfoundland, Canada, extend across about 360,000 square km (139,000 square miles). With an average depth of 110 m (361 ft), they yield more than 800,000 tonnes …
Read More »What are the endocrine glands?
They are a set of glands that manufacture hormones and introduce them into the body system. They differ from other glands in that they have no pipes for carrying away their productions, and are sometimes also known as ductless glands. They include the thyroid, the adrenal, the parathyroid, the pituitary, the pancreas, and the sex glands in both men and …
Read More »What are textonyms?
They refer to the new language developed by cellphone-addicted teenagers, based on predictive text on their handsets. They are also known as adaptonyms or cellodromes. Using predictive text, the first alternative to certain keywords are used in textonyms.
Read More »What are teeth made of?
Teeth are made of a bony substance called dentine, and they are capped or crowned with what is called enamel. The hollow part of a tooth contains a pulpy substance that has many highly sensitive nerves and minute blood vessels. If the tooth becomes decayed the blood vessels swell and press against the nerves and this causes toothache.
Read More »What are teasels used for?
Teasels are used in the making of woollen cloth. The common teasel grows wild in England and Wales and southern parth of Scotland. It is also found in Europe, Asia and North Africa. The teasel has large prickly flower heads which remain on the dead stems throughout winter. The actual flowers are tiny deep lilac clorets and round the base …
Read More »What are superpartners of particles?
In particle physics, a superpartner (also sparticle) is a hypothetical elementary particle. Supersymmetry is one of the synergistic bleeding-edge theories in current high-energy physics which predicts the existence of these “shadow” particles. The word superpartner is a portmanteau of the words supersymmetry and partner (sparticle is a portmanteau of supersymmetry and particle).
Read More »What are SQUIDS in physics?
The Superconducting Quantum Interference Device, or SQUID, is a sensitive magnetic flux-to-voltage transducer. It may be the most sensitive detector of any physical quantity, with an energy resolution that approaches the quantum limit. The sensitivity of the SQUID has caused it to be incorporated into a variety of systems. SQUIDs have been used to measure cortical activity in the human …
Read More »What are slats?
These are thin narrow flat strips made of wood or metal, which are used as an auxiliary air foil at the leading edge of the wing of an aeroplane.
Read More »What are sciophytes?
Sciophytes are shade-loving trees or plants. These plants have larger photosynthetic units than sun plants or heliophytes. Sciophytes are also known as photophobous plants and they reach their saturation level in only 20% sunlight. Shade-plants essentially follow strategies of optimum use of available energy and conservation of energy. Adaptation to achieve these strategic goals include thinner leaves with a relatively …
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