Cell Division - Used for describing the division of nucleus, (karyokinesis) which is followed by division of cytoplasm (cytoplasmic division or cytokinesis) in a cell. It yields the formation of two daughter cells with chromosome number in nucleus of each daughter cell equal to that of the nucleus of parent cell (mitosis),

Cell Extension - Increase in length along with volume which is occurring in cell of the region a certain distance behind the apex following cell division. In this process there occurs both vacuolation i.e., uptake of large quantities of water into the cell vacuole by osmosis and the synthesis of new cytoplasm and cell wall material.

Cell Fractionation - Describing the separation of the components of a cell by differential centrifugation.

Cell Lineage - Describing the sequence of cells formed by cell division and cytological changes which yield the formation of differentiated cells having a specific function.

Cell Membrane (membrane) - Used for any membrane which is surrounding either protoplast or any of the cell organelles within it. All membranes have almost same structure as that of plasma membrane and are selectively permeable.

Cellobiose - A reducing disaccharide which is composed of 2 glucose sub-units linked by (1-4) glycosidic bond. It is formed by incomplete hydrolysis of cellulose by enzyme cellulase. Complete hydrolysis to glucose units is possible by enzyme cellobiase (glycosidase).

Ceel Plate - A fine membrane which is formed across the equator of the spindle during cell-division. It forms the basis of the new cell-wall, between the daughter cells.

Cell Sap - A solution of organic and inorganic substances present in the vacuole of a plant cell.

Cell Theory - According to this theory all living things are made up of cells that divide during growth and reproduction (Schleiden and Schwann 1938-39).

Cell Tissue - A group of cells formed from the division of one or a few cells, and functioning as a whole.

Cellular Slime Moulds - Used for the members of class Acrasiomycetes of Myxomycota that feed on soil bacteria. Organisms are made up of an aggregation of myxamoebae forming pseudoplasmodium. These yield naked masses of walled spores (pseudospores) by a process different from that of other fungi.

Cellulase - An enzyme which is capable of digesting celluose into simpler units.

Cellulosans - A group of carbohydrates similar to cellulose, but with shorter chains, mainly of xylose residues may have uronic acid and mannose units.

Cell Wall - Describing the bounding layer of plant cells. It is made of cellulose or chitin. It may be changed by secondary deposits of lignin between the cellulose micellae. It imparts mechanical support to the cell.

Cenozoic (Caenozoic) - Describing the present era geological time scale beginning about 65 million years ago during which 4 periods of extensive land elevation occurred which were separated by periods of ocean expansion. Major mountain ranges were formed during it.

Censer Mechanism - A method of seed dispersal in which the seeds are shaken out of pores in the fruit when it sways in the wind.

Central Cell - (1) The cell present in the centre of developing archegonium of the Bryophyta and Pteriodophyta which divides to form the primary canal -cell and primary ventral cell.
(2) The cell present at the base of the archegonium in the Gymnospermae, having the egg and ventral canal-cell.
Central Cylinder - see Stele.

Centre of Origin, Theory of - According to this theory, the plantspecies originated in the area where they show the greatest genetical diversity.

Centrifugal Thickening - Describing the deposition of material on the outside of the cell-wall. It only takes place if the cell is free its neighbours, e.g., the marking on pollen grains.

Centrifugal Xylem - A xylem in which differentiation takes place
away from the centre of a stem or root.

Centriole - A central granule present within the centrosome.

Centripetal Xylem - A xylem in which differentiation takes place from the centre of the stem or root.

Centromere - The self-propagating particle in the chromosome whose activity in protein organization determines certain movements of the chromosome.

Centrosome - Describing a minute protoplasmic cell-inclusion associated with the nucleus, and dividing with it. In plants, they are confined to the Thaollphyta.

Cereals - Member of the Graminae whose grain is used for human consumption, e.g., wheat, barley, oats, rye, etc.

Certation - Used for describing the competition between pollen grains, placed at the same time on the same stigma. They have different genetic constitutions ligation giving unequal chances of bringing about fertilization.

Chaetoplankton - Describing small aquatic organisms whose power to float is aided by small spiny outgrowths.

Chalaza - Used for the basal region of ovule where nucellus and integuments fuse.

Chalazogamy - Used for describing method of fertilization in seed plants in which pollen tube enters the embryo sac growing or digesting its way thoroughly placenta and chalaza of ovule e.g., in beech, elm and hazed plants.

Chalcones - Used for one of the two groups of anthochlor pigments, about 20 kinds of which are known.

Chamaephyte - A plant which perennates with its buds at or just above the soil-surface.

Character - (1) Any well-defined feature which is able to distinguish one species from another.
(2) Genetically, any feature which gets transmitted from parent to off spring.

Chasmogamic - Used for a flower that opens before pollination.

Chasmophyte - A plant which is growing on rocks, rooted in the crevices.

Chemical Fossil - Describing any of the chemicals like alkanes and porphyrins occurring in certain rocks and indicating the presence of life at time of rock formation. Such chemicals provide the only evidence of existence of life of in Precambrain era.

Chemoautotrophic. Used for an organism which derives energy by the oxidation of simple inorganic molecules. An example is the oxidation of hydrogen sulphide to sulphur by spp.

Chemoheterotroph - Used for an organism obtaining energy from oxidation of organic molecules present in the surroundings and synthesizing organic molecules by use of this energy. All heterotrophs, except photoheterotrophs are chemoheterotrophs.

Chemosterilant - Said of any chemical which is used to sterilize pests and thus reduces the number of offspring in subsequent generations in their populations. Commonly used in biological control of pests.