EBV
See estimated breeding value.

EC
See Enzyme Commission.

Eclosion
1. Emergence of   adult insect from the pupal stage.

2. Beginning of germination of fungal spores.
E. coli
See Escherichia coli.
A common Gram-negative bacterium useful for cloning experiments. Present in human intestinal tract. Hundreds of strains of E. coli exist. One strain, K-12, has been completely sequenced.

Ecology
1. The study of the interactions between organisms and their natural environment, both living and non-living. 2. The study of living organisms and their environment or habitat.

Economic trait locus
(ETL) A locus influencing a trait that contributes to income. The plural form (economic trait loci) is also abbreviated as ETL
Ecosystem
1. The complex of a living community and its environment, functioning as an ecological unit in nature. cf abiotic factors; biotic factors.
2. An organism or group of organisms and their surroundings. The boundary of an ecosystem may be arbitrarily chosen to suit the area of interest or study.