monotreme

/ˈmɒnətɹiːm/

Meanings

noun

A mammal that lays eggs and has a single urogenital and digestive orifice. Only the echidnas and platypuses are included in this group

Examples :

"While most mammals give birth to live young, the monotreme is unique because it lays eggs, like the platypus found in Australia. "

adjective

(of a pollen grain) Having a single trema, or aperture.

Examples :

"The botanist noted the pollen grain's monotreme structure under the microscope, making it easily identifiable. "

biology plant

Related Words

botanist noun

/ˈbɒt.ən.ɪst/

A person engaged in botany, the scientific study of plants.

"The botanist studied the different types of flowers in the school garden. "

included verb

/ɪnˈkluːdɪd/

To bring into a group, class, set, or total as a (new) part or member.

"I will purchase the vacation package if you will include car rental."

microscope noun

/ˈmaɪkɹəˌskəʊp/ /ˈmaɪkɹəˌskoʊp/

An optical instrument used for observing small objects.

"The student used a microscope to see the tiny cells in the plant leaf. "

identifiable adjective

/aɪˌdɛntɪˈfaɪəbl/ /ɪˌdɛntɪˈfaɪəbl/

Capable of being distinguished and named.

"The bird in my backyard is easily identifiable because of its bright red feathers and distinctive song. "

platypus noun

/ˈplætɪpəs/

A semi-aquatic, egg-laying monotreme mammal with a bill resembling that of a duck, that has a mole-like body, a tail resembling that of a beaver, a waterproof pelt, and flat webbed feet — males have poisonous spurs on the inside of the back legs; Ornithorhynchus anatinus

"While hiking near the Australian river, we were lucky enough to spot a platypus swimming, its duck-like bill visible above the water. "

structure noun

/ˈstɹʌktʃə(ɹ)/ /ˈstɹʌktʃɚ/

A cohesive whole built up of distinct parts.

"The birds had built an amazing structure out of sticks and various discarded items."

orifice noun

/ˈɔːrɪfɪs/ /ˈɑːrɪfɪs/

A mouth or aperture, such as of a tube, pipe, etc.; an opening.

"the orifice of an artery or vein; the orifice of a wound; the vagina and other orifices"

urogenital adjective

/ˌjʊəroʊˈdʒɛnɪtl/ /ˌjʊroʊˈdʒɛnɪtl/

Of, or relating to the urinary and/or the genital systems

"The doctor asked about any pain or discomfort in my urogenital area during the physical exam. "

digestive noun

/daɪˈdʒɛstɪv/

A substance that aids digestion.

"My grandmother took a digestive enzyme supplement to help with her digestion. "

aperture noun

/ˈæp.ə.tjʊə(ɹ)/ /ˈæp.ɚ.tʃɚ/

An opening, gap, or hole, usually small and narrow

"an aperture in a wall"

platypuses noun

/ˈplætɪpʊsɪz/ /ˈplætɪpʌsɪz/

A semi-aquatic, egg-laying monotreme mammal with a bill resembling that of a duck, that has a mole-like body, a tail resembling that of a beaver, a waterproof pelt, and flat webbed feet — males have poisonous spurs on the inside of the back legs; Ornithorhynchus anatinus

"The zookeeper was excited because several platypuses were born at the zoo this year. "

echidnas noun

/ɪˈkɪdnəz/ /əˈkɪdnəz/

Any of the species of small spined monotremes in family Tachyglossidae, the four extant species of which are found in Australia and southern New Guinea.

"While visiting Australia, we were hoping to see echidnas in the wild. "