cuticle

cuticle

cuticle
1. (in botany) The continuous waxy layer that covers the aerial parts of a plant. Composed mainly of cutin, it is secreted by the epidermis and its primary function is to prevent water loss.

2. (in zoology) A layer of horny noncellular material covering, and secreted by, the epidermis of many invertebrates. It is usually made of a collagen-like protein or of chitin and its main function is protection. In arthropods it is also strong enough to act as a skeleton (see exoskeleton) and in insects it reduces water loss. Growth is allowed by moulting of the cuticle (see ecdysis).

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"cuticle." A Dictionary of Biology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. 28 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"cuticle." A Dictionary of Biology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. (May 28, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O6-cuticle.html

"cuticle." A Dictionary of Biology. 2004. Retrieved May 28, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O6-cuticle.html

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cuticle

cu·ti·cle / ˈkyoōtikəl/ • n. 1. the outer layer of living tissue, in particular: ∎  Bot. & Zool. a protective and waxy or hard layer covering the epidermis of a plant, invertebrate, or shell. ∎  the outer cellular layer of a hair. ∎  Zool. another term for epidermis. 2. the dead skin at the base of a fingernail or toenail. DERIVATIVES: cu·tic·u·lar / kyoōˈtikyələr/ adj.

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"cuticle." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. 28 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"cuticle." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. (May 28, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-cuticle.html

"cuticle." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Retrieved May 28, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-cuticle.html

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cuticle

cuticle
1. The impervious covering to the outer walls of the epidermal cells of aerial plant organs, composed of cutin, cutan, or a mixture of both.

2. The outer layer of an insect, secreted by epidermal cells; it has a complex structure that varies according to species. See SKELETAL MATERIAL.

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AILSA ALLABY and MICHAEL ALLABY. "cuticle." A Dictionary of Earth Sciences. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. 28 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

AILSA ALLABY and MICHAEL ALLABY. "cuticle." A Dictionary of Earth Sciences. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. (May 28, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O13-cuticle.html

AILSA ALLABY and MICHAEL ALLABY. "cuticle." A Dictionary of Earth Sciences. 1999. Retrieved May 28, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O13-cuticle.html

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cuticle

cuticle Exposed, outer layer of an animal. In humans, this refers to the epidermis, especially the dead skin at the edge of fingers. In botany, it refers to the waxy layer on the outer surface of epidermal cells of leaves and stems of vascular plants. It helps to prevent excessive water loss.

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"cuticle." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. 28 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"cuticle." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. (May 28, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O142-cuticle.html

"cuticle." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Retrieved May 28, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O142-cuticle.html

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cuticle

cuticle In plants, a thin, waxy, protective layer covering the surface of the leaves and stems. In animals, a layer covering, and secreted by, the epidermis. In invertebrates, it is mainly protective against mechanical or (in endoparasites, see parasitism) chemical damage.

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MICHAEL ALLABY. "cuticle." A Dictionary of Ecology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. 28 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

MICHAEL ALLABY. "cuticle." A Dictionary of Ecology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. (May 28, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O14-cuticle.html

MICHAEL ALLABY. "cuticle." A Dictionary of Ecology. 2004. Retrieved May 28, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O14-cuticle.html

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cuticle

cuticle (kew-ti-kŭl) n.
1. the epidermis of the skin.

2. a layer of solid or semisolid material that is secreted by and covers an epithelium.

3. a layer of cells, such as the outer layer of cells in a hair.

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"cuticle." A Dictionary of Nursing. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. 28 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"cuticle." A Dictionary of Nursing. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. (May 28, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O62-cuticle.html

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cuticle

cuticle (adj. cuticular) A layer covering, and secreted by, the epidermis. In invertebrates, it is mainly protective against mechanical or (in endoparasites, see PARASITISM) chemical damage. See EXOSKELETON.

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MICHAEL ALLABY. "cuticle." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. 28 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

MICHAEL ALLABY. "cuticle." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. (May 28, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O8-cuticle.html

MICHAEL ALLABY. "cuticle." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Retrieved May 28, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O8-cuticle.html

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cuticle

cuticle A thin waxy, protective layer covering the surface of the leaves and stems of plants.

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MICHAEL ALLABY. "cuticle." A Dictionary of Plant Sciences. 1998. Encyclopedia.com. 28 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

MICHAEL ALLABY. "cuticle." A Dictionary of Plant Sciences. 1998. Encyclopedia.com. (May 28, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O7-cuticle.html

MICHAEL ALLABY. "cuticle." A Dictionary of Plant Sciences. 1998. Retrieved May 28, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O7-cuticle.html

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cuticle

cuticle epidermis. XVII. — L. cutīcula, dim. of cutis; see CUTANEOUS.

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T. F. HOAD. "cuticle." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. 28 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

T. F. HOAD. "cuticle." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. (May 28, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-cuticle.html

T. F. HOAD. "cuticle." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Retrieved May 28, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-cuticle.html

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cuticle

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"cuticle." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. 28 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"cuticle." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. (May 28, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-cuticle.html

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Free newspaper and magazine articles

Glycoproteins from the cuticle of the Atlantic shore crab Carcinus maenas: I....
Magazine article from: The Biological Bulletin; 2/1/2002
Reciprocal changes in calcification of the gastrolith and cuticle during the...
Magazine article from: The Biological Bulletin; 4/1/2008
Product debunk What's all the fuss about... cuticle removers?(Features)
Newspaper article from: The Mirror (London, England); 4/14/2001

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