RENAISSANCE - Glossary of Terms

a | b | c | d | e | f | g | h | i | j | k | l | m | n | o | p | q | r | s | t | u | v | x | y | z |

a

accommodation - the ability of the eye to change the focus of the eye from distant to near objects. This process is achieved by changing the curvature of the lens. At rest the lens is focused for distant objects, and is able to focus on near objects by becoming more convex by the contraction of the ciliary muscles.

achromatopsia - the inability to see any colour. It is an extremely rare and serious form of colourblindness. Statistics report that this condition affects only one person in about 33,000.

acuity - the visual ability to resolve fine detail

adaptation - a change in an organism, resulting from exposure to certain environmental conditions, allowing it to respond more effectively to them.

Albers - was an important teacher of material and design at the Bauhaus school. Interactions of Color, the definitive work on color theory was written by Albers in America after fleeing Germany during World War 2.

albinism - failure to develop pigment particularly melanin in skin, hair and iris. Resulting in light-skinned with white hair and 'pink' eyes due to reflection of the choroid capillaries behind the retina. It is a genetic condition.

amber - a hard, translucent, yellow, orange, or brownish-yellow fossil resin, used for making jewelry and other ornamental objects. Formed from hardened tree resin, amber is a valuable fossil record of ancient flora and fauna - many species have been found trapped inside amber chunks dating over hundred of millions yrs old.

amblyopia - also termed 'lazy eye'. It is a visual defect that affects approximately 2 or 3 out of every 100 children in the United States.
Amblyopia involves lowered visual acuity (clarity) and/or poor muscle control in one eye.

amino acid - an organic compound containing both an amino group (NH2) and a carboxylic acid group (COOH), especially any of the 20 compounds that link together by peptide bonds to form proteins.

amphibian - a cold-blooded, smooth-skinned vertebrate of the class Amphibia, such as a frog or salamander, that characteristically hatches as an aquatic larva with gills. The larva then transforms into an adult having air-breathing lungs. An amphibian is an animal capable of living both on land and in water.

anabolic agents - chemicals that the rate of metabolism, particularly that phase of metabolism in which simple substances are synthesized into the complex materials of living tissue.

analogous colours are harmonious colours which sit side by side on the colour wheel, related colours such as yellow, yellow orange, orange, orange red, red

androgenic - a steroid hormone, such as testosterone or androsterone, that controls the development and maintenance of masculine characteristics.

aqueous humour - is the clear watery fluid that occupies the front chamber of the eye and nourishes the lens and the cornea. It also helps to give the eye shape, and protection. The aqueous humour is secreted by the ciliary body.

archaic - No longer current or applicable; antiquated. Relating to, or characteristic of words and language that were once common but are now used chiefly to suggest an earlier style or period.

astigmatism - a condition in which the surface of the cornea is not spherical; causes a blurred image to be received at the retina. Condition can be corrected with glasses.

assymetry - lack of balance or symmetry.

atrophy - decrease in size of an organ caused by disease or disuse or any weakening or degeneration (especially through lack of use)

aural - relating to, or perceived by the ear

back to the top

b

Bauhaus - avantegarde Art and Design School based in Germany during the 1930's whose influence affected design internationally in architecture, industrial design and painting. The Bauhaus, a design workshop formed by architect Walter Gropius, was "dedicated to merging the traditionally separate disciplines of the fine and applied arts in an effort to improve the quality of modern life in all its aspects and, ideally, at every social level..."

Bacillus - general term for any rod shaped bacterium. Also a genus of bacteria: Bacillus.

benthic - term used to describe those animals found living on the sea bottom, including those found crawling and burrowing there also.

bill of fare - A list of dishes offered; a menu. A list of items or events in a presentation; a program.

binocular vision - the blending of the separate images seen by each eye into a single image, allows images to be seen with depth.

bioluminescence - the emission of visible light made by living organisms such as the firefly and various fish, fungi, and bacteria.

blindspot - A small area of the retina where the optic nerve enters the eye; occurs normally in all eyes. It results in a gap in the visual field which corresponds to an area of the retina where no visual cells are present.

blood glucose level - glucose is the principal circulating sugar in the blood and the major energy source of the body. When the level of glucose in the blood is low the muscles of the body cannot perform strenuous tasks because there is insufficient glucose to provide the energy needed.

Brunelleschi, Filippo -1377-1446. Italian architect celebrated for his work during the Florentine Renaissance. His greatest achievement is the octagonal ribbed dome of the Florence cathedral.Bru·nel·le·schi (bru'n?-les'ke), Filippo 1377-1446. Italian architect celebrated for his work during the Florentine Renaissance. His greatest achievement is the octagonal ribbed dome of the Florence cathedral.

c

canon of proportions - Egyptian scribes followed strict rules of hieratic drawing called the canon of proportions to enable consistency of design.

canopic - lidded vessels which held the vital organs of the dead body of the pharaoh as the corpse was being prepared for mummification

carbohydrate - Any of a group of organic compounds that includes sugars, starches, celluloses, and gums and serves as a major energy source in the diet of animals.

carnelian - a yellow coloured precious stone used by the ancient Egyptian to represent/symbolise the desert/sun

cataract - a great fall of water over a precipice; a large waterfall.

cataract (of the eye) - a condition in which the eye lens loses its clearness. A gray-white film can be seen in the lens, behind the pupil. Cataracts are caused by a loss of function in the lens tissue, most often after 50 years of age.

cell division - the process by which a cell divides to form two daughter cells. Upon completion of the process, each daughter cell contains the same genetic material as the original cell and roughly half of its cytoplasm (cell fluid).

central nervous system - the portion of the human nervous system consisting of the brain and spinal cord

Cenozoic Era - the latest era of geologic time, which includes the Tertiary Period and the Quaternary Period and is characterized by the formation of modern continents, glaciation, and the diversification of mammals, birds, and plants. Termed the 'Age of Mammals'

Chevreul - A physicist who published a theory of colour contrasts which influenced many art movements including the Impressionists, Post impressionists and Orphic cubism

choroid - the layer filled with blood vessels that nourishes the retina.

chromosome - a threadlike linear strand of DNA and associated proteins in the nucleus of animal and plant cells that carries the genes and functions in the transmission of hereditary information.

ciliary -
muscles: the muscles that enable the lens to change shape for focusing
processes: the extensions of the ciliary body that secrete aqueous humour.

coils - cylindrical pieces of clay used in hand construction of pots

colourblindness - a genetic condition which results in an inability to distinguish certain colours and shades normally. It does not mean that one sees everything in black, white, and gray. It is only in extremely rare cases that no colors can be discriminated (known as achromatopsia). It affects one in 12 men, and is rare in females because of the way it is passed down through our genes. It occurs because of errors in the coding instructions for the eyes visual pigment and as a result the eye will be sensitive to different wavelengths of light (resulting in a color deficiency).

complementary colours are colours which are directly opposite on the colour wheel causing the highest of contrast for e.g.. red and green, blue and orange and purple and yellow.

concept development - the process of analysis and generating ideas round a product.

cone - one type of specialized light-sensitive cells (photoreceptors) in the retina that provide sharp central vision and color vision. Found to be highly concentrated in fovea. (See also rod).

congenital - a condition present at birth. Often said to be an inherited characteristic or condition passed on from the parents or condition.

congestive heart failure - a condition marked by weakness, edema, and shortness of breath that is caused by the inability of the heart to maintain adequate blood circulation in the peripheral tissues and the lungs

conjunctiva - The thin, moist tissue (membrane) that lines the inner surfaces of the eyelids and the outer surface of the sclera

connective tissue - tissue that includes elastic, and reticular fibers, adipose tissue, cartilage, and bone. It forms the supporting and connecting structures of the body

contract - draw inwards or together, make smaller, to shrink.

convergence - the coming together of lines (for e.g.) so as to meet in a point.

cornea - is part of eye's focusing system. It is the outer, transparent, dome-like structure that covers the iris, pupil, and anterior chamber.

clone - a group of cells descended from the same single parent cell. Genetic engineering commonly uses cloning in its DNA manipulations.

Back to the top

d

delta - rich soil area around the Nile which sustained the ancient Egyptian for thousands of years

demersal - organisms dwelling at or near the bottom of the sea or other body of water

dehydrated - To lose water or moisture, to an extent that it can become dangerous.

depressant - an agent, especially a drug, that decreases the rate of vital physiological activities

dermatological - concerned with the skin

detrimental - causing damage or harm; injurious

dilate - make or become wider or larger, to expand.

dinosaur - any of various extinct, often gigantic, carnivorous or herbivorous reptiles that were chiefly terrestrial and existed during the Mesozoic era. The name dinosaur means - Greek 'deinos' = monstrous + Greek 'sauros' = lizard.

diphthong - A complex speech sound or glide that begins with one vowel and gradually changes to another vowel within the same syllable, as (oi) in boil or (i) in fine.

discordant colours - colour which clash and used for artistic effects to create impact for e.g. acrid green with flush pink

diurnal - means to be active during the daytime rather than at night: diurnal animals. Animals that are mainly active at night are termed - nocturnal

DNA - stands for deoxyribonucleic acid. This nucleic acid formation is the building blocks which form the genetic material of all cells, some organelles, and many viruses.

dynasty - family of the ruling class. In ancient Egyptian times the dynasties were the Pharaoh and his family.

e

ecology - the branch of biology concerned with the relations between organisms and their environment

edema - an excessive accumulation of serous fluid in tissue spaces or a body cavity

efficacy - power or capacity to produce a desired effect; effectiveness

elements of design - the basic components which make up any visual image. These are line, shape, colour, texture, tone, form.

emmetropia - another term for what is perfect vision, whereby the eye focusses the image onto the retina, rather than in front of behind it (as opposed to hyperopia and myopia)

endemic - Native to a particular, restricted geographic area.

endrogenous - originating or produced within an organism, a tissue, or a cell: endogenous secretions

endurance - continuing existence or duration. The act, quality, or power of withstanding hardship or stress.

epithelium - tissue forming outer cellular layer of body surface or the lining of a body cavity. Epithelial cells are frequently secretors.

era - a major division of geological time; an era is divided into two or more periods

estuary - an arm of the sea that extends inland to meet the mouth of a river.

euphoria - a feeling of great happiness or well-being

evolution - the theory that groups of organisms change with the passage of time, mainly as a result of natural selection, so that descendants differ morphologically and physiologically from their ancestors.

exquisite corpse - a surrealist game where a group of participants complete a section of a drawing without revealing the details to other members of the group. Each participant continues the drawing until the work is finished. At the end the entire work is revealed to all. The resultant image usually is quirky but still makes sense - this exercise reveals the concept "universal subconscious" which is an important feature of Surrealistic painting in the 1920's.

extinct - The state in which all members of a groups of organisms, such as a species, population, family or class, have disappeared from a given habitat, geographic area, or the entire world.

Back to the top

f

fat - any of various soft, solid, or semisolid organic compounds constituting the esters of glycerol and fatty acids and their associated organic groups. Includes both animal fats and vegetable oils.

fatigue - physical or mental weariness resulting from exertion. Something, such as tiring effort or activity, that causes weariness.

fibre - coarse, indigestible plant matter, consisting primarily of polysaccharides such as cellulose, that when eaten stimulates intestinal activity. In this sense, also called bulk; roughage

fractured fairytale - a fairytales whose plot sequence or characters are mixed up and disordered for a humourous effect.

fovea - the central part of the macula and provides the sharpest vision. This area of the retina is associated with the highest concentration of cones and therefore the highest acuity. Humans move their eyes so that images of interest are projected onto their foveas.

g

gastric - relating to, or associated with the stomach

gastrointestinal - relating to the stomach and intestines.

gene - a hereditary unit that occupies a specific location on a chromosome and determines a particular characteristic in an organism. Genes exist in a number of different forms and can undergo mutation.

genetic code - the sequence of nucleotides (building blocks) in the DNA molecule of a chromosome that specifies the amino acid sequence in the synthesis of proteins. It is the basis of heredity.

genetic engineering - scientific alteration and manipulation of the structure of genetic material (DNA) in a living organism. Involves a series of procedures which uses and selected pieces (genes) of organisms.

genetics - is the field of biology devoted to understanding how characteristics are transmitted from parent to offspring. Genetics was founded with the work of Gregor Mendel, an Austrian monk who experimented with garden peas.

genus - a class of objects (organisms) divided into sub-species according to certain common attributes.

glaciation - the process of covering with glaciers or masses of ice

glycogen - A form of sugar that is the main form of carbohydrate storage in animals and occurs primarily in the liver and muscle tissue. It is readily converted to glucose as needed by the body to satisfy its energy needs. Also called: animal starch

greenware - dry but unfired clay

h

harmonious colours are colours which side by side on the colour wheel which means they are relative or analogous. For example - yellow, yellow/orange,orange, orange red, red.

hepatitis - inflammation of the liver, caused by infectious or toxic agents and characterized by jaundice, fever, liver enlargement, and abdominal pain

hereditary - Information or traits passed on from individuals of one generation to their offspring and future generations.

hieratic - an art style employed by the Egyptians to designate who and what was the most important in the art work. The most important person, i.e.. the Pharaoh,who was considered a god, was created as the largest person in the composition.

hieroglyphics - Egyptian language using symbols drawn as phonograms or ideograms

HIV - human immuno-deficiency virus, a retrovirus that causes AIDS

humanising - making like a human, for eg. making a pet have human like characteristics - feeling emotions

hyperopia - also termed farsightedness. It is the ability to see distant objects more clearly than close objects, may be corrected with glasses or contact lenses (also see myopia)

hypertension - abnormally elevated blood pressure

i

ideogram - a symbol or picture representing an idea or concept rather than a word

immune - not affected by or having immunity to infection by a specific pathogen

inscribe - to cut decoratively into a surface for e.g.. wood or clay

intra-articular - within (inside) a joint or joints

intraocular - situated or occurring within the eyeball

introduced species - Species that humans transport to an area that was previously outside of that species' geographic range. Introductions may be intentional, such as with domestic animals like sheep and dogs, or unintentional, such as with rats and other pests that live on ships.

inundation - a yearly flood the ancient Egyptians relied on for fertilsing crops

iridescence - to produce a display of rainbowlike colors

iris - The colored ring of tissue suspended behind the cornea and immediately in front of the lens regulates the amount of light entering the eye by adjusting the size of the pupil. There are many variations on eye colour, for example many animals show iris colouration that allows them to blend into environment.

Itten - an art teacher at the famous Bauhaus who recognized the basic laws of colour and form, proportions, texture and rhythm as the foundation to any artwork. He wrote books on the seven colour contrasts influenced by Chevreul's colour theories.

Back to the top

j

k

kilojoule - when carbohydrates, protein and fats are metabolised by the body, they produce energy which is measured in units known as Kilocalories (kcal) or the metric term Kilojoule (kJ). One kilocalorie is the amount of energy required to raise the temperature of one kilogram of water by one degree centigrade (1 kJ =4.2 kcal).

keystone species - A keystone species is a species on which the persistence of a large number of other species in the ecosystem depends. If a keystone species is removed from a system, the species it supported also will disappear, as will the other dependent species. Keystone species may be top carnivores that keep prey in check, large herbivores that shape the habitat in which other species live, important plants that support particular insect species that are prey for birds, bats that disperse the seeds of plants, and many other types of organisms.

kneading - the process preparing the clay by massaging the clay to distribute clay particles evenly and eliminating air bubbles

l

lapis lazuli - a blue precious stone used in ancient Egyptian times for representing and symbolising the Terrestrial (earth) and Celestial (heaven) Nile.

lateral - is relating to the sides of an organism of structures

lens - the transparent, double convex (outward curve on both sides), structure which serves to focus light onto back of eye (retina). Normally enclosed within connective tissue eye capsule and held in position by suspensory ligaments. By altering its shape the lens can focus near and far objects.

Leonardo DaVinci - is best remembered as the painter of the Mona Lisa (1504?) and The Last Supper (1495). But he's almost equally famous for his astonishing multiplicity of talents: he dabbled in architecture, sculpture, engineering, geology, hydraulics and the military arts, all with success, and in his spare time doodled parachutes and flying machines that resembled inventions of the 19th and 20th centuries. He made detailed drawings of human anatomy which are still highly regarded today. DaVinci was also quirky enough to write notebook entries in mirror (backwards) script, a trick which kept many of his observations from being widely known until decades after his death

liver - largest glandular organ of the body. Of the liver's many digestive system functions, the production of bile (for fat digestion) and storage of glucose (see glycogen) are particularly important.

Back to the top

m

macula - the small, sensitive area of the central retina which provides vision for fine work and reading. The macula consists of cones which lie roughly in the center of the retina.

macular degeneration - in people over sixty it is the most common cause of blindness, in which the macula becomes covered with scar tissue.

Magic Eye - computer-generated images/illustrations that when viewed normally, appear as simply a repeating pattern. However when viewed using a technique known as parallel vision ( i.e. focusing at a point well behind and beyond the image) a hidden image 'magically' presents itself to the viewer. Viewing Magic Eye images takes time to practice and build up the eye muscles and technique. For this reason Magic Eye images can actually be used incorporated into vision therapy.

mammals - any of various warm-blooded vertebrate animals of the class Mammalia, including human beings, characterized by a covering of hair on the skin and, in the female, milk-producing mammary glands for nourishing the young. Most mammals give live birth to their young

marsupials - The group of mammals whose young are born very undeveloped and must attach themselves after birth to the mother's milk glands, where they are usually protected by a pouch. Australia is known for its wide variety of marsupials, such as kangaroos, wombats, and bandicoots. The opossum, found in North and South America, is also a marsupial. Marsupials are known in Europe, Asia, and Africa only through ancient fossils.

Masaccio - 1401-1428. Italian painter of the Florentine school whose revolutionary use of linear perspective and mastery of light and shade profoundly influenced Renaissance painting.

melanin - dark brown pigment of many animals, giving colouration to skin hair, eyes etc.

metabolic processes - sequence of reactions each brought about by a different enzyme, leading to the formation of one or more functional products. Usually associated with digestion and energy distribution.

Mesozoic Era - the third era of geologic time 65 - 245 million years ago. Included the Triassic Period (208 - 245mya), the Jurassic Period (145 - 208 mya), and the Cretaceous Period (65 - 145 mya) and characterized by the development of flying reptiles, birds, and flowering plants and the appearance and extinction of dinosaurs. Termed the 'Age of Reptiles'

migratory - movement that is regularly or occasionally occurring from one region to another, e.g.: migratory birds, migratory pigment etc.

mummy - an embalmed and dried out body. Mummification was used by the ancient Egyptians to preserve the outer shell of the body after death. This was thought to help identify people when they were reincarnated.

mutation - a sudden structural change within a gene or chromosome of an organism resulting in the creation of a new character or trait not found in the parental type.

myopia - also termed near sightedness It is the ability to see close objects more clearly than distant objects, may be corrected with glasses or contact lenses (also see hyperopia)

back to the top

n

natural selection - the process in nature by which, according to Darwin's theory of evolution, only the organisms best adapted to their environment tend to survive and transmit their genetic characters in increasing numbers to succeeding generations while those less adapted tend to be eliminated (also see evolution)

necropolis - a cemetery

nocturnal - means to be mainly active at night. Some animals need to have specific adaptations in order to survive at night time (such as - special eyes to see in darkness, also see rods). Animals that are mainly active in the daytime are termed diurnal

o

onomatopoeia - The formation or use of words such as buzz or murmur that imitate the sounds associated with the objects or actions they refer to.

op art - an art movement of the 1950 whose main concerns were hard-edge painting using colour and optics as its main theme

optical distortions - the use of colour combinations and shapes which trick the eye and brain

optical illusions -the use of shapes, colour, and line distortions which trick the eye and brain. When viewing confusing images, our brain can sometimes interpret visual information and cues incorrectly,or at other times our brains fill in the missing pieces.

optic nerve - the bundle of over one million nerves fibers that carry visual messages from the retina to the brain.

p

palpitations - irregular, rapid beating or pulsation of the heart

papier mache - a sculptural medium made out of recycled paper and cellulose glue

peripheral vision - side vision, ability to see objects and movement outside of the direct line of vision.

Permian period - is the last period of the Paleozoic Era and occurred 245 to 286 million years ago. The Permian period is known as the "The Age of Amphibians" (also see the Mesozoic Era - which was the era that followed).
The Permian period ended with the largest mass extinction ever

the geologic time, system of rocks, and sedimentary deposits of the seventh and last period of the Paleozoic Era. It was

pharaoh - a king of ancient Egypt who was considered a god

phonogram - a symbol or picture which represents the sound of a word

photic - means of or relating to light.

photophores - a light-producing organ found especially in marine fishes that emits light from specialized structures or derives light from symbiotic luminescent bacteria.

photoreceptor - a nerve ending, cell, or group of cells specialized to sense or receive light. In the eye there are two types of photoreceptors - Rods and Cones.

pictograph - a symbol which is represented by a picture or image.

Piero della Francesca - Italian painter of the quattrocento whose works, including the fresco cycle Legend of the True Cross (1452-1459), show a mastery of geometric perspective.

Piranesi - Italian architect and artist. His etchings of Rome and its ruins contributed to the revival of neoclassicism

PreRaphaelites - an art movement of the Victorian era whose work reacted against the mass production of the Industrial revolution. The movement took on the ideals of medieval art and art work produced before Raphael - a high Renaissance artist

presbyopia - the gradual loss of the eye's ability to change focus (accommodation) for seeing near objects caused by the lens becoming less elastic, it is associated with aging and can occur in almost all people over age 45.

principles of design - are the use of the elements of design to construct an artwork. Some of these are: space, light, rhythm, perspective, balance, pattern, symmetry and harmony

protein - proteins are fundamental components of all living cells and include many substances, such as enzymes, hormones, and antibodies, that are necessary for the proper functioning of an organism. They are essential in the diet of animals for the growth and repair of tissue and can be obtained from foods such as meat, fish, eggs, milk, and some vegetables.

psychoactive - a drug that affects the mind or mental processes

pug - packaged clay usually around 10k in weight

pupil - the opening in the iris which permits entry of light into eye. Through the opening and closing of the iris muscles excessive light is prevented from falling on the retina and damaging it by excess bleaching of the photoreceptors. Within the animal kingdom there are many weird and wonderful variations on pupil shape.

pyramid - a Pharaoh's tomb

q

r

red blood cells - the disk-shaped cells in the blood that contain hemoglobin. The red blood cells supply oxygen to all body cells and remove the carbon dioxide wastes that result from metabolism

refraction - the bending of light rays when passing through air, water, glass etc.
The angle of entry is significantly different to the angle of exit as the light ray passes through the mediums of different density.

re-hydrate - to supply water to (a person, for example) in order to restore or maintain fluid balance.

renaissance - The humanistic revival of classical art, architecture, literature, and learning that originated in Italy in the 14th century and later spread throughout Europe. The period of this revival was roughly the 14th through the 16th century and marked the transition from medieval to modern times.

reptile - any of various cold-blooded, usually egg-laying vertebrates of the class Reptilia, such as a snake, lizard, crocodile, turtle, or dinosaur, having an external covering of scales or horny plates and breathing by means of lungs.

respiration - the act or process of inhaling and exhaling; breathing

retina - the light-sensitive layer of tissue that lines the back of the eyeball, which sends visual messages through the optic nerve to the brain. Photoreceptors are found in the retina

retinomotor activity - The active movement of retinal components - photoreceptors and visual pigments within the retinal layers

rods - one type of specialized light-sensitive cells (photoreceptors) in the retina that provide peripheral vision and the ability to see objects in dim light, used extensively for night vision. The rods lie outside the fovea in the more peripheral parts of the retina. Most nocturnal animals rely solely on the use of rods for their vision (also see cones) as this allows them to perceive as much as possible visual information in conditions of low illumination.

s

sclera - The tough, white, outer layer of the eyeball which in conjunction with the cornea protects the entire eyeball.

scraffito - a technique where the surface is scratched in an artistic design

scribe - in ancient Egyptian times a scribe was responsible for all design and drawing of images including the representation of the pharaohs, gods and hieroglyphs

sculpture - a three dimensional artistic work. Sculpture can be made out of any material including sound and movement

slip - liquid clay that can be used to decorate the surface or fill incised designs of a clay object. Slip can be coloured with a variety of oxides - mineral colourings.

spasm - sudden, involuntary contraction of a muscle or group of muscles

spectrum - the distribution of energy emitted by a radiant source, as by an incandescent body, arranged in order of wavelengths. Often seen as a rainbow effect of coloured light.

species - A group of related organisms that are capable of breeding with each other to produce fertile offspring but are not capable of breeding with members of other species.

spectacle - is an additional clear covering that overlays the cornea, protecting the eye slit from silt and other abrasive materials. Occurs in bottom dwelling fish and those that live in shallow waters.

spherical aberration - the non-convergence of rays from one point of focus when passing through a spherical body, produces a scattering effect on the light ray.

stereo vision - visual perception of or exhibition in three dimensions.

stimulus - something that rouses or evokes a physiological response, or a specific functional reaction in organ or tissue.

strabismus - an abnormal condition in which the eyes do not move together or are "crossed". Due to this condition, both eyes do not always aim simultaneously at the same object. This results in a partial or total loss of stereo vision and binocular depth perception.

subspecies - A geographically isolated or physiologically distinct group within a species that is capable of interbreeding with other members of the species but that usually does not.

stroke - a sudden loss of brain function caused by a blockage or rupture of a blood vessel to the brain, characterized by loss of muscular control, diminution or loss of sensation or consciousness, dizziness, slurred speech, or other symptoms that vary with the extent and severity of the damage to the brain

suspensory ligaments - elastic-like structures present in the eye that suspend the lens and pull it into shape for focusing distant objects onto the retina (see also accommodation)

symmetry - exact mirroring of form, shape, detail on opposite sides of an object (i.e. - along its horizontal axis, both sides look to be the same)

sympathetic nervous system - the part of the autonomic nervous system originating in the chest and lower back regions of the spinal cord that in general inhibits or opposes the physiological effects of the parasympathetic nervous system, as in tending to reduce digestive secretions, speeding up the heart, and contracting blood vessels

Back to the top

t

tapeteum - reflecting layer of vertebrate choroid (it is the retina in some teleost (bony) fish), especially in nocturnal forms and deep water fish. Generally contains guanine crystals reflecting light back through the retina, increasing amount of light entering the eye, however reducing the visual acuity.

u

v

vascular system - vessels that carry or circulate fluids, such as blood, lymph through the body of an animal

vasoconstrictor - a nerve or drug, that causes constriction of a blood vessel

vellum - a paper made from stretched deer skin used before wood based paper materials were developed

ventral - describes the lower abdominal region of an organism

Victor Vasarely - Leader of the Op Art movement who created hard-edged optical tonal and colour optical art work. His work still influences art movements today.

vision - the act of perceiving and interpreting visual information with the eyes, mind, and body.

vision therapy - physical therapy for the visual system which includes the brain and eyes. Through a series of progressive eye exercises, patients develop or can recover normal visual skills.

visual acuity - the ability to distinguish details and shapes of objects, also called central vision.

visual field - the entire area that can be seen when the eye is forward, including peripheral vision.

visual pigment - are vital for colour vision. The eye's colour photoreceptor - the cone , can perceive color because of a light sensitive pigment they contain. This pigment is sensitive over a range of wavelengths (different colours of light have different wavelengths). Genes are responsible for the coding instructions to make these pigments, and if the coding instructions are wrong, then the wrong pigments are produced, and the cones will be sensitive to different wavelengths of light (resulting in a color deficiency or colourblindness).

vitreous humour - is the transparent, colorless mass of gel that lies behind lens and in front of retina. The spherical shape of the eyeball is maintained by this jelly-like substance.

vowel - A letter, such as a, e, i, o, u, and sometimes y in the English alphabet, that represents a vowel.

Back to the top

w

wavelength - the distance between one peak or crest of a wave of light, heat, or other energy and the next corresponding peak or crest. Light for example is measured in nanometers and when all light wavelengths are put in progressive order a rainbow coloured spectrum results.

wedging - the process of preparing the clay to ensure that there are no air bubbles and clay particles are distributed evenly

x

y

z

back to the top

Renaissance Index | Lesson Idea 1- Art | Lesson Idea 2 - English | Lesson Idea 3 - SOSE | Lesson Idea 4 - SOSE | Lesson Idea 5 - Health | Worksheet 1 | Worksheet 2 | Worksheet 3 | Worksheet 4 | Worksheet 5 | Worksheet 6 |Associated Web Links