ERGASTIC SUBSTANCE Meaning and
Definition
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An ergastic substance refers to any nonliving substance present in the cells or tissues of an organism, serving a variety of specialized functions within the structure and metabolic processes of the living system. These substances are typically found in plant and animal cells and tend to accumulate as a result of specific physiological activities or as byproducts of cellular processes.
Ergastic substances can encompass a wide range of compounds and materials with varying chemical compositions. In plants, for instance, ergastic substances include starch, oils, resins, latex, tannins, and pigments like chlorophyll and anthocyanin. These substances fulfill specific biological roles such as energy storage (starch and oils), defense mechanisms against herbivory (tannins and resins), or transport and structure formation (latex).
In animals, ergastic substances can be composed of substances like pigments (melanin), lipid droplets, glycogen, calcium carbonate crystals, or uric acid crystals, among others. These substances can accumulate within various tissues or organs, serving functions such as protection from harmful agents, storage of metabolic components, or providing structural support.
The presence of ergastic substances can often be detected and examined using microscopy techniques or chemical analyses. These substances not only contribute to the physiological functions of the organism but also play a role in studies related to taxonomy, evolutionary adaptation, and ecological interactions.
Common Misspellings for ERGASTIC SUBSTANCE
- wrgastic substance
- srgastic substance
- drgastic substance
- rrgastic substance
- 4rgastic substance
- 3rgastic substance
- eegastic substance
- edgastic substance
- efgastic substance
- etgastic substance
- e5gastic substance
- e4gastic substance
- erfastic substance
- ervastic substance
- erbastic substance
- erhastic substance
- eryastic substance
- ertastic substance
- ergzstic substance
- ergsstic substance
Etymology of ERGASTIC SUBSTANCE
The word "ergastic substance" comes from the combination of two Greek words: "ergon" meaning "work" and "substasis" meaning "substance". The term was first used in 1873 by Russian botanist and plant physiologist Sergei Nikolaevich Winogradsky to refer to various non-living substances found within plant cells. These substances are produced by the cells as by-products of their metabolic activities or as storage materials. Examples of ergastic substances include starch, cellulose, lignin, tannins, resins, and various crystals.
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