palmivora:
Palmivora produces airborne sporangia and can affect fruits throughout the canopy.

parasite:
An animal or plant that lives on or in an organisim of another species, known as the host, from the body of which it obtains its nourishment.

parasitic:
To be, or be like a parasite.

parathyroid deficiencies:
Lack of the hormones which control the calcium content of the blood.

partial oxidation:
Incomplete burning, often resulting in thick smoke, carbon monoxide or methane.

pathanogenic:
Disease producing.

pathogen:
Any disease producing organism.

perennial:
Having a life cycle lasting more than two years.

petrochemicals:
Chemicals derived from petroleum.

petrolium:
An oily liquid mixture of complex hydrocarbons occuring naturally in the pores and fissures of sedimentary rock, ususally in association with its gaseous form, natural gas.

pH:
The symbol for the logarithm of the reciprocal of hydrogen ion concentreation in gram atoms per liter.

pharmaceuticals:
Drugs.

phenolic resin:
Phenol-based resin used as an adhesive and in paints.

phenols:
(C6H50H and related compounds) A water-soluble, poisonous chemical group, derived from coal tar and used as disinfectants and in chemical work.

phosphates:
A salt or ester containing PO4

phosphorus:
Symbol: P Atomic mass:30.974 A soild, nonmetallic element which is flammable. Used in forming smoke screens.

photosynthesis:
The process by which plants take water and CO2 and change it into sugar, powered by sunlight and with chlorophyll as a catalyst.

phosphorous.au
photovoltaic:
Providing a source of electric current under the influence of light or similar radiation.

phylum:
The primary division of classification in the plant or animal kingdom based on common characteristics and assumed common ancestry.

physico-chemical:
Relating to the combination of physical and chemical, e.g. a physico-chemical change.

physiological:
Relating to the body, as opposed to the mind.

Phytophthora palmivora:
A fungus.

pigment:
A coloring matter, especially in dry powdered form, used in paints etc.

pillage:
To strip of money or goods by open violence.

piston:
A disk or short cylinder attached centrally to a rod and fitted closely inside a hollow cylinder, within which it can be driven up and down by fluid pressure (in engines).

plant extracts:
Substances separated from a plant, such as essential oils.

plasmin:
An indigestible protien, a principal component of spider webs.

plasminogen:
The blood substance, that when activated, forms plasmin. See plasmin.

plasticisers:
Compound which is added to plastics to improve or change flexibility or softness.

plowing:
The process of cutting, lifting, turning over, and partly pulverizing the soil, with the use of a plow.

polio:
(poliomyelitis) A viral disease, common in infants. Attacks the nerves, mostly of the spine, results in paralysis, then the destruction of muscle. Can leave permanent handicaps. All but gone from the developed world due to the development of a vaccine.

pollen:
Fertilising (reproductive) element of plants (same role as sperm). Fine, powdery particles, sometimes in clumps.

polyhydroxy:
Containing two or more hydroxyl groups. See hydroxyl

polymer:
A compound composed of one or more large molecules that are formed from repeated units of smaller molecules.

polymers:
Big, complex molecules formed by the chemical joining of many smaller molecules. e.g. nylon.

polystyrene:
(CH(C6H5)CH2) A polymer used as insulation.

polyunsaturated (fat):
Fat compound having room for more than one hydrogen atom, because their carbon chains have many double bonds.

pore volume:
The amount of total space taken up by pores, tiny holes in an object.

potable:
Fit, or suitable for drinking.

potassium:
Symbol K Atomic mass:39.098. A silvery-white metallic element. It is used in fertilizers and special kinds of glass, when used as a compound.

predation:
Act of plundering or robbing.

predator:
One being which plunders, robbs or pillages another.

prehistoric:
Any time before recorded history began. Generally before the advent of writing in any given area.

prevalent:
Is the most common.

primary fuel:
A fuel not generated by the use of another energy source, used in the generation of energy. e.g. oil, gas, coal used to create electricity.

prions:
(genus: Pachyptila) Sea bird identifiable by its serrated bill. Native to the southern hemisphere.

protein:
Any of a group of nitrogenous organic compounds of high molecular weight, synthesized by plants and animals.

proteinaceous:
A family of chemicals, formed from amino acids, that are made by and vital to animal life.

prototype:
A test model.

pupa:
An insect in the nonfeeding, usually immobile, transformational stage between the larva and the imago.

pupil:
The expanding and contracting opening in the iris of the eye, through which light passes to the retina.

pyrethrum:
Any of several aromatic chrysanthmums of genus Tanacetum, esp. T. Coccineum. Also an insecticide made from the dried leaves of these plants, esp. Tanacetum cinerariifolium.

pyrolysis:
The breaking up of chemicals with extreme heat.
Index