A “book” on every living thing Additional Information

Recommended Web sites:The Encyclopedia of Life Homepage is at www.eol.org/.

Milius, Susan. 2008. Biological moon shot. Science News 173(Feb. 2):72-73. Available at http://www.sciencenews.org/articles/20080202/bob9.asp.

______. 2007. Extreme encyclopedia: Every living thing will get its own page. Science

News

171(May 12):294. Available at http://www.sciencenews.org/articles/20070512/fob7.asp.

Raloff, Janet. 2007. It’s spud time. Science News Online 172(Dec. 22). Available at http://www.sciencenews.org/articles/20071222/food.asp.

Sohn, Emily. 2007. The book of life. Science News for Kids (May 16). Available at http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/articles/20070516/Note3.asp.

______. 2005. Nature’s alphabet. Science News for Kids (Nov. 16). Available at http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/articles/20051116/Feature1.asp.

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Power Words

bacteria One-celled organisms that lack a cell nucleus, reproduce by splitting or by forming spores, and in some cases cause disease. They are found in all living things and in all of Earth’s environments.

botanist Someone who makes a scientific study of plants, including their growth, structure, and disease.

digital 1. Expressed in numerical form, especially for use by a computer: converted the image to a digital form. 2. Computer science. Relating to a device that can read, write, or store information represented in numerical form: a digital computer.

encyclopedia A body of information, such as one or more books, that contains all knowledge—or a comprehensive collection of information on a given subject—all put together in one place, and usually arranged in alphabetical order.

Latin The language of ancient Rome, and until recently a common language studied in school. Many sciences use Latin terms, even today. By convention, researchers who classify things in science, such as species, still assign their names using Latin.

microscopic Things of a size that cannot be seen and recognized without the degree of magnification made possible through use of microscopes.

species A group of organisms having many characteristics in common and ranking below a genus.

virtual 1. Having the essence of a thing, but being a hypothetical version of it. 2. Something that is on or simulated on a computer, such as a virtual book. 3. Occurring or existing primarily in the digital world, or online.

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