superfamily

/ˈsuːpərˌfæməli/ /ˈsupərˌfæməli/

Meanings

noun

A taxonomic category above family and below order (and its subdivisions).

Examples :

"Biologists classify owls into the superfamily Strigoidea, which sits above the family Strigidae (typical owls) and below the order Strigiformes (all owls). "

noun

A large group of related proteins or other molecules.

Examples :

"The immunoglobulin superfamily is a group of proteins important for the immune system, all sharing a similar structural component. "

biology biochemistry science group organism

Related Words

typical noun

/ˈtɪpɪkl̩/

Anything that is typical, normal, or standard.

"Among the moths, typicals were more common than melanics."

proteins noun

/ˈproʊtiːnz/ /ˈproʊˌtiːnz/

Any of numerous large, complex naturally-produced molecules composed of one or more long chains of amino acids, in which the amino acid groups are held together by peptide bonds.

"Example Sentence: "Eating meat, beans, and eggs helps you get enough proteins to build and repair your muscles." "

important adjective

/ɪmˈpɔːtənt/ /ɪmˈpɔɹtənt/

Having relevant and crucial value.

"It is very important to give your daughter independence in her life so she learns from experience."

structural noun

/ˈstrʌktʃərəl/ /ˈstrʌktʃərəl/

Structural steel, used in construction.

"The building's structural steel supports the weight of the roof. "

component noun

/kʌmˈpoʊnənt/

A smaller, self-contained part of a larger entity. Often refers to a manufactured object that is part of a larger device.

"A CPU is a component of a computer."

classify verb

/ˈklæsɪfaɪ/

To identify by or divide into classes; to categorize

"Should we classify "make up" as an idiom or as a phrasal verb?"

immunoglobulin noun

/ɪˌmjuːnoʊˈɡlɑːbjəlɪn/ /ɪˌmɪnəˈɡlɑːbjəlɪn/

Any of the glycoproteins in blood serum that respond to invasion by foreign antigens and that protect the host by removing pathogens; an antibody.

"When the child's body detected the virus, it produced more immunoglobulin to fight off the infection and help her recover. "

category noun

/ˈkætəˌɡɔɹi/ /ˈkɛtɘɡ(ɘ)ɹi/ /ˈkætɪɡ(ə)ɹi/

A group, often named or numbered, to which items are assigned based on similarity or defined criteria.

"The library organized its books by category, such as fiction, non-fiction, and children's books. "

subdivisions noun

/sʌbdiˈvɪʒənz/ /səbdiˈvɪʒənz/

A division into smaller pieces of something that has already been divided.

"The city planners created new subdivisions from the larger sections of land outside of town. "

biologists noun

/baɪˈɒlədʒɪsts/ /baɪˈɑlədʒɪsts/

A student of biology; one versed in the science of biology.

"Biologists study living things, from tiny bacteria to giant whales. "

molecules noun

/ˈmɑːlɪkjuːlz/ /ˈmɒlɪkjuːlz/

The smallest particle of a specific element or compound that retains the chemical properties of that element or compound; two or more atoms held together by chemical bonds.

"Hydrogen chloride is a diatomic molecule, consisting of a hydrogen atom and a chlorine atom."

taxonomic adjective

/ˌtæksəˈnɑmɪk/ /ˌtæksəˈnɒmɪk/

Of, or relating to taxonomy.

"The taxonomic classification of animals helps scientists understand their evolutionary relationships. "