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Atomic theoryAtomic A*tom"ic, Atomical A*tom"ic*al, a. [Cf. F. atomique.]
1. Of or pertaining to atoms.
2. Extremely minute; tiny.
Atomic philosophy, or Doctrine of atoms, a system which,
assuming that atoms are endued with gravity and motion,
accounted thus for the origin and formation of all things.
This philosophy was first broached by Leucippus, was
developed by Democritus, and afterward improved by
Epicurus, and hence is sometimes denominated the Epicurean
philosophy.
Atomic theory, or the Doctrine of definite proportions
(Chem.), teaches that chemical combinations take place
between the supposed ultimate particles or atoms of
bodies, in some simple ratio, as of one to one, two to
three, or some other, always expressible in whole numbers.
Atomic weight (Chem.), the weight of the atom of an element
as compared with the weight of the atom of hydrogen, taken
as a standard. Binary theoryBinary Bi"na*ry, a. [L. binarius, fr. bini two by two, two at
a time, fr. root of bis twice; akin to E. two: cf. F.
binaire.]
Compounded or consisting of two things or parts;
characterized by two (things).
Binary arithmetic, that in which numbers are expressed
according to the binary scale, or in which two figures
only, 0 and 1, are used, in lieu of ten; the cipher
multiplying everything by two, as in common arithmetic by
ten. Thus, 1 is one; 10 is two; 11 is three; 100 is four,
etc. --Davies & Peck.
Binary compound (Chem.), a compound of two elements, or of
an element and a compound performing the function of an
element, or of two compounds performing the function of
elements.
Binary logarithms, a system of logarithms devised by Euler
for facilitating musical calculations, in which 1 is the
logarithm of 2, instead of 10, as in the common
logarithms, and the modulus 1.442695 instead of .43429448.
Binary measure (Mus.), measure divisible by two or four;
common time.
Binary nomenclature (Nat. Hist.), nomenclature in which the
names designate both genus and species.
Binary scale (Arith.), a uniform scale of notation whose
ratio is two.
Binary star (Astron.), a double star whose members have a
revolution round their common center of gravity.
Binary theory (Chem.), the theory that all chemical
compounds consist of two constituents of opposite and
unlike qualities. Cell theoryCell Cell, n. [OF. celle, fr. L. cella; akin to celare to
hide, and E. hell, helm, conceal. Cf. Hall.]
1. A very small and close apartment, as in a prison or in a
monastery or convent; the hut of a hermit.
The heroic confessor in his cell. --Macaulay.
2. A small religious house attached to a monastery or
convent. ``Cells or dependent priories.' --Milman.
3. Any small cavity, or hollow place.
4. (Arch.)
(a) The space between the ribs of a vaulted roof.
(b) Same as Cella.
5. (Elec.) A jar of vessel, or a division of a compound
vessel, for holding the exciting fluid of a battery.
6. (Biol.) One of the minute elementary structures, of which
the greater part of the various tissues and organs of
animals and plants are composed.
Note: All cells have their origin in the primary cell from
which the organism was developed. In the lowest animal
and vegetable forms, one single cell constitutes the
complete individual, such being called unicelluter
orgamisms. A typical cell is composed of a semifluid
mass of protoplasm, more or less granular, generally
containing in its center a nucleus which in turn
frequently contains one or more nucleoli, the whole
being surrounded by a thin membrane, the cell wall. In
some cells, as in those of blood, in the am[oe]ba, and
in embryonic cells (both vegetable and animal), there
is no restricting cell wall, while in some of the
unicelluliar organisms the nucleus is wholly wanting.
See Illust. of Bipolar.
Air cell. See Air cell.
Cell development (called also cell genesis, cell
formation, and cytogenesis), the multiplication, of
cells by a process of reproduction under the following
common forms; segmentation or fission, gemmation or
budding, karyokinesis, and endogenous multiplication. See
Segmentation, Gemmation, etc.
Cell theory. (Biol.) See Cellular theory, under
Cellular. Cell theoryCellular Cel"lu*lar, a. [L. cellula a little cell: cf. F.
cellulaire. See Cellule.]
Consisting of, or containing, cells; of or pertaining to a
cell or cells.
Cellular plants, Cellular cryptogams (Bot.), those
flowerless plants which have no ducts or fiber in their
tissue, as mosses, fungi, lichens, and alg[ae].
Cellular theory, or Cell theory (Biol.), a theory,
according to which the essential element of every tissue,
either vegetable or animal, is a cell; the whole series of
cells having been formed from the development of the germ
cell and by differentiation converted into tissues and
organs which, both in plants ans animals, are to be
considered as a mass of minute cells communicating with
each other.
Cellular tissue.
(a) (Anat.) See conjunctive tissue under Conjunctive.
(b) (Bot.) Tissue composed entirely of parenchyma, and having
no woody fiber or ducts. Cellular theoryCellular Cel"lu*lar, a. [L. cellula a little cell: cf. F.
cellulaire. See Cellule.]
Consisting of, or containing, cells; of or pertaining to a
cell or cells.
Cellular plants, Cellular cryptogams (Bot.), those
flowerless plants which have no ducts or fiber in their
tissue, as mosses, fungi, lichens, and alg[ae].
Cellular theory, or Cell theory (Biol.), a theory,
according to which the essential element of every tissue,
either vegetable or animal, is a cell; the whole series of
cells having been formed from the development of the germ
cell and by differentiation converted into tissues and
organs which, both in plants ans animals, are to be
considered as a mass of minute cells communicating with
each other.
Cellular tissue.
(a) (Anat.) See conjunctive tissue under Conjunctive.
(b) (Bot.) Tissue composed entirely of parenchyma, and having
no woody fiber or ducts. Corpuscular theoryCorpuscular Cor*pus"cu*lar (k?r-p?s"k?-l?r), a. [Cf. F.
corpusculaire.]
Pertaining to, or composed of, corpuscles, or small
particles.
Corpuscular philosophy, that which attempts to account for
the phenomena of nature, by the motion, figure, rest,
position, etc., of the minute particles of matter.
Corpuscular theory (Opt.), the theory enunciated by Sir
Isaac Newton, that light consists in the emission and
rapid progression of minute particles or corpuscles. The
theory is now generally rejected, and supplanted by the
undulatory theory. Dingdong theory
Dingdong theory Ding"dong` the"o*ry (Philol.)
The theory which maintains that the primitive elements of
language are reflex expressions induced by sensory
impressions; that is, as stated by Max M["u]ller, the
creative faculty gave to each general conception as it
thrilled for the first time through the brain a phonetic
expression; -- jocosely so called from the analogy of the
sound of a bell induced by the stroke of the clapper.
Electro-magnetic theory of lightElectro-magnetic E*lec`tro-mag*net"ic, a.
Of, Pertaining to, or produced by, magnetism which is
developed by the passage of an electric current.
Electro-magnetic engine, an engine in which the motive
force is electro-magnetism.
Electro-magnetic theory of light (Physics), a theory of
light which makes it consist in the rapid alternation of
transient electric currents moving transversely to the
direction of the ray. Emission theory 2. That which is sent out, issued, or put in circulation at
one time; issue; as, the emission was mostly blood.
Emission theory (Physics), the theory of Newton, regarding
light as consisting of emitted particles or corpuscles.
See Corpuscular theory, under Corpuscular. Fermentation theory
Fermentation theory Fer`men*ta"tion the"o*ry (Med.)
The theory which likens the course of certain diseases (esp.
infectious diseases) to the process of fermentation, and
attributes them to the organized ferments in the body. It
does not differ materially from the accepted germ theory
(which see).
Fermentation theory of disease 2. A state of agitation or excitement, as of the intellect or
the feelings.
It puts the soul to fermentation and activity.
--Jer. Taylor.
A univesal fermentation of human thought and faith.
--C. Kingsley.
Acetous, or Acetic, fermentation, a form of oxidation in
which alcohol is converted into vinegar or acetic acid by
the agency of a specific fungus or ferment (Mycoderma
aceti). The process involves two distinct reactions, in
which the oxygen of the air is essential. An intermediate
product, aldehyde, is formed in the first process. 1.
C2H6O + O = H2O + C2H4O
Note: Alcohol. Water. Aldehyde. 2. C2H4O + O = C2H4O2
Note: Aldehyde. Acetic acid.
Alcoholic fermentation, the fermentation which saccharine
bodies undergo when brought in contact with the yeast
plant or Torula. The sugar is converted, either directly
or indirectly, into alcohol and carbonic acid, the rate of
action being dependent on the rapidity with which the
Torul[ae] develop.
Ammoniacal fermentation, the conversion of the urea of the
urine into ammonium carbonate, through the growth of the
special urea ferment. CON2H4 + 2H2O = (NH4)2CO3
Note: Urea. Water. Ammonium carbonate.
Note: Whenever urine is exposed to the air in open vessels
for several days it undergoes this alkaline
fermentation.
Butyric fermentation, the decomposition of various forms of
organic matter, through the agency of a peculiar
worm-shaped vibrio, with formation of more or less butyric
acid. It is one of the many forms of fermentation that
collectively constitute putrefaction. See Lactic
fermentation.
Fermentation by an unorganized ferment or enzyme.
Fermentations of this class are purely chemical reactions,
in which the ferment acts as a simple catalytic agent. Of
this nature are the decomposition or inversion of cane
sugar into levulose and dextrose by boiling with dilute
acids, the conversion of starch into dextrin and sugar by
similar treatment, the conversion of starch into like
products by the action of diastase of malt or ptyalin of
saliva, the conversion of albuminous food into peptones
and other like products by the action of
pepsin-hydrochloric acid of the gastric juice or by the
ferment of the pancreatic juice.
Fermentation theory of disease (Biol. & Med.), the theory
that most if not all, infectious or zymotic disease are
caused by the introduction into the organism of the living
germs of ferments, or ferments already developed
(organized ferments), by which processes of fermentation
are set up injurious to health. See Germ theory.
Glycerin fermentation, the fermentation which occurs on
mixing a dilute solution of glycerin with a peculiar
species of schizomycetes and some carbonate of lime, and
other matter favorable to the growth of the plant, the
glycerin being changed into butyric acid, caproic acid,
butyl, and ethyl alcohol. With another form of bacterium
(Bacillus subtilis) ethyl alcohol and butyric acid are
mainly formed.
Lactic fermentation, the transformation of milk sugar or
other saccharine body into lactic acid, as in the souring
of milk, through the agency of a special bacterium
(Bacterium lactis of Lister). In this change the milk
sugar, before assuming the form of lactic acid, presumably
passes through the stage of glucose. C12H22O11.H2O =
4C3H6O3
Note: Hydrated milk sugar. Lactic acid.
Note: In the lactic fermentation of dextrose or glucose, the
lactic acid which is formed is very prone to undergo
butyric fermentation after the manner indicated in the
following equation: 2C3H6O3 (lactic acid) = C4H8O2
(butyric acid) + 2CO2 (carbonic acid) + 2H2 (hydrogen
gas).
Putrefactive fermentation. See Putrefaction. Germ theoryGerm theory Germ theory
1. (Biol.) The theory that living organisms can be produced
only by the development of living germs. Cf. Biogenesis,
Abiogenesis.
2. (Med.) The theory which attributes contagious and
infectious diseases, suppurative lesions, etc., to the
agency of germs. The science of bacteriology was developed
after this theory had been established. Germ theoryGerm Germ, n. [F. germe, fr. L. germen, germinis, sprout, but,
germ. Cf. Germen, Germane.]
1. (Biol.) That which is to develop a new individual; as, the
germ of a fetus, of a plant or flower, and the like; the
earliest form under which an organism appears.
In the entire process in which a new being
originates . . . two distinct classes of action
participate; namely, the act of generation by which
the germ is produced; and the act of development, by
which that germ is evolved into the complete
organism. --Carpenter.
2. That from which anything springs; origin; first principle;
as, the germ of civil liberty.
Disease germ (Biol.), a name applied to certain tiny
bacterial organisms or their spores, such as Anthrax
bacillus and the Micrococcus of fowl cholera, which have
been demonstrated to be the cause of certain diseases. See
Germ theory (below).
Germ cell (Biol.), the germ, egg, spore, or cell from which
the plant or animal arises. At one time a part of the body
of the parent, it finally becomes detached,and by a
process of multiplication and growth gives rise to a mass
of cells, which ultimately form a new individual like the
parent. See Ovum.
Germ gland. (Anat.) See Gonad.
Germ stock (Zo["o]l.), a special process on which buds are
developed in certain animals. See Doliolum.
Germ theory (Biol.), the theory that living organisms can
be produced only by the evolution or development of living
germs or seeds. See Biogenesis, and Abiogenesis. As
applied to the origin of disease, the theory claims that
the zymotic diseases are due to the rapid development and
multiplication of various bacteria, the germs or spores of
which are either contained in the organism itself, or
transferred through the air or water. See Fermentation
theory. Neptunian theoryNeptunian Nep*tu"ni*an, a. [L. Neptunius belonging to Neptune:
cf. F. neptunien.]
1. Of or pertaining to the ocean or sea.
2. (Geol.) Formed by water or aqueous solution; as, Neptunian
rocks.
Neptunian races (Ethnol.), the Malay and Polynesian races.
Neptunian theory (Geol.), the theory of Werner, which
referred the formation of all rocks and strata to the
agency of water; -- opposed to the Plutonic theory. Plutonic theoryPlutonic Plu*ton"ic, a. [Cf. F. plutonique. See Pluto.]
1. Of or pertaining to Pluto; Plutonian; hence, pertaining to
the interior of the earth; subterranean.
2. Of, pertaining to, or designating, the system of the
Plutonists; igneous; as, the Plutonic theory.
Plutonic action (Geol.), the influence of volcanic heat and
other subterranean forces under pressure.
Plutonic rocks (Geol.), granite, porphyry, and some other
igneous rocks, supposed to have consolidated from a melted
state at a great depth from the surface. Cf. Intrusive
rocks, under Intrusive.
Plutonic theory. (Geol.) See Plutonism. Side-chain theory
Side-chain theory Side"-chain` the`o*ry (Physiol. Chem.)
A theory proposed by Ehrlich as a chemical explanation of
immunity phenomena. In brief outline it is as follows: Animal
cells and bacteria are complex aggregations of molecules,
which are themselves complex. Complex molecules react with
one another through certain of their side chains, but only
when these side chains have a definite correspondence in
structure (this account for the specific action of
antitoxins).
system or theoryDualistic Du`al*is"tic, a.
Consisting of two; pertaining to dualism or duality.
Dualistic system or theory (Chem.), the theory,
originated by Lavoisier and developed by Berzelius, that
all definite compounds are binary in their nature, and
consist of two distinct constituents, themselves simple or
complex, and possessed of opposite chemical or electrical
affinities. theory or hypothesisGlacial Gla"cial, a. [L. glacialis, from glacies ice: cf. F.
glacial.]
1. Pertaining to ice or to its action; consisting of ice;
frozen; icy; esp., pertaining to glaciers; as, glacial
phenomena. --Lyell.
2. (Chem.) Resembling ice; having the appearance and
consistency of ice; -- said of certain solid compounds;
as, glacial phosphoric or acetic acids.
Glacial acid (Chem.), an acid of such strength or purity as
to crystallize at an ordinary temperature, in an icelike
form; as acetic or carbolic acid.
Glacial drift (Geol.), earth and rocks which have been
transported by moving ice, land ice, or icebergs; bowlder
drift.
Glacial epoch or period (Geol.), a period during which
the climate of the modern temperate regions was polar, and
ice covered large portions of the northern hemisphere to
the mountain tops.
Glacial theory or hypothesis. (Geol.) See Glacier
theory, under Glacier. transmission theoryTransmissionist Trans*mis"sion*ist, n.
An adherent of a theory, the
transmission theory, that the brain serves to ``transmit,'
rather than to originate, conclusions, and hence that
consciousness may exist independently of the brain. Undulatory theoryUndulatory Un"du*la*to*ry (?; 277), a. [Cf. F. ondulatoire.]
Moving in the manner of undulations, or waves; resembling the
motion of waves, which successively rise or swell rise or
swell and fall; pertaining to a propagated alternating
motion, similar to that of waves.
Undulatory theory, or Wave theory (of light) (Opt.), that
theory which regards its various phenomena as due to
undulations in an ethereal medium, propagated from the
radiant with immense, but measurable, velocities, and
producing different impressions on the retina according to
their amplitude and frequency, the sensation of brightness
depending on the former, that of color on the latter. The
undulations are supposed to take place, not in the
direction of propagation, as in the air waves constituting
sound, but transversely, and the various phenomena of
refraction, polarization, interference, etc., are
attributable to the different affections of these
undulations in different circumstances of propagation. It
is computed that the frequency of the undulations
corresponding to the several colors of the spectrum ranges
from 458 millions of millions per second for the extreme
red ray, to 727 millions of millions for the extreme
violet, and their lengths for the same colors, from the
thirty-eight thousandth to the sixty thousandth part of an
inch. The theory of ethereal undulations is applicable not
only to the phenomena of light, but also to those of heat. Unitary theoryUnitary U"nit*a*ry, a.
1. Of or pertaining to a unit or units; relating to unity;
as, the unitary method in arithmetic.
2. Of the nature of a unit; not divided; united.
Unitary theory (Chem.), the modern theory that the
molecules of all complete compounds are units, whose parts
are bound together in definite structure, with mutual and
reciprocal influence on each other, and are not mere
aggregations of more or less complex groups; --
distinguished from the dualistic theory. Vortex theoryVortex theory Vortex theory (Chem. & Physics)
The theory, advanced by Thomson (Lord Kelvin) on the basis of
investigation by Helmholtz, that the atoms are vortically
moving ring-shaped masses (or masses of other forms having a
similar internal motion) of a homogeneous, incompressible,
frictionless fluid. Various properties of such atoms (
vortex atoms) can be mathematically deduced. Wave theoryUndulatory Un"du*la*to*ry (?; 277), a. [Cf. F. ondulatoire.]
Moving in the manner of undulations, or waves; resembling the
motion of waves, which successively rise or swell rise or
swell and fall; pertaining to a propagated alternating
motion, similar to that of waves.
Undulatory theory, or Wave theory (of light) (Opt.), that
theory which regards its various phenomena as due to
undulations in an ethereal medium, propagated from the
radiant with immense, but measurable, velocities, and
producing different impressions on the retina according to
their amplitude and frequency, the sensation of brightness
depending on the former, that of color on the latter. The
undulations are supposed to take place, not in the
direction of propagation, as in the air waves constituting
sound, but transversely, and the various phenomena of
refraction, polarization, interference, etc., are
attributable to the different affections of these
undulations in different circumstances of propagation. It
is computed that the frequency of the undulations
corresponding to the several colors of the spectrum ranges
from 458 millions of millions per second for the extreme
red ray, to 727 millions of millions for the extreme
violet, and their lengths for the same colors, from the
thirty-eight thousandth to the sixty thousandth part of an
inch. The theory of ethereal undulations is applicable not
only to the phenomena of light, but also to those of heat.
Meaning of Theory from wikipedia
