Columbia Encyclopedia

(Encyclopedia) polymerase chain reaction pŏlˈĭmərāsˌ [key] (PCR), laboratory process in which a particular DNA segment from a mixture of DNA chains is rapidly replicated, producing a large, readily analyzed sa...

(Encyclopedia)  CE5 A. Structure of a bird wing B. Structure of a bat wing wings, flight organs of the bird, the bat, and the insect. Birds' wings are pectoral appendages that are basically the same in skeletal...

(Encyclopedia) psychosis sīkōˈsĭs [key], in psychiatry, a broad category of mental disorder encompassing the most serious emotional disturbances, often rendering the individual incapable of staying in contact wi...

(Encyclopedia) Brighton and Hove, city and unitary authority and district, SE England. It was formed by the merger of the boroughs of Brighton and Hove in 1997, and be...

(Encyclopedia) Philemon and Baucis, in Greek mythology, Phrygian husband and wife. When Zeus and Hermes visited earth as men, only Philemon and Baucis offered them hospitality. As a reward they were saved from a pun...

(Encyclopedia) Leopold and Loeb lōb [key], notorious American murderers defended by Clarence Darrow in 1924. The gregarious, dominating Richard A. Loeb (1905–1936) and the shy, submissive Nathan F. Leopold, Jr. (...

(Encyclopedia) Bonnie and Clyde, Bonnie Parker, 1910–34, b. Rowena, Tex., and Clyde Barrow, 1909–34, b. Tellice, Tex., notorious American criminals during the Great Depression. Joining forces in 1932, they trave...

(Encyclopedia) guidance and counseling, concept that institutions, especially schools, should promote the efficient and happy lives of individuals by helping them adjust to social realities. The disruption of commun...

(Encyclopedia)  CE5 Bosnia and Herzegovina bŏzˈnēə, hĕrtsəgōvēˈnə [key], Serbo-Croatian ...

(Encyclopedia) Weber and Fields wĕbˈər [key], American comedy team. The partners were Joe Weber (Joseph Maurice Weber), 1867–1942, and Lew Fields (Lewis Maurice Schanfield), 1867–1941, both born in New York C...