Key terms & definitions

A literary figure whose beauty or seductive attraction brings danger or destruction to those drawn to her.

A recurring stereotype of a dangerous, seductive woman who manipulates others.

The thigh bone, extending from the hip to the knee.

The Fair Employment Practices Commission, established by Roosevelt's Executive Order 8802 in 1941 to address discrimination in defence employment.

A child who has experienced extreme isolation from ordinary human interaction and socialisation.

The public observance on 21 February that concluded the Parentalia, involving offerings at graves.

The anaerobic respiration of glucose by yeast, producing ethanol and carbon dioxide.

The breakdown of sugar by yeast without oxygen, producing ethanol and carbon dioxide.

Anaerobic respiration in yeast cells, which produces ethanol and carbon dioxide from glucose.

The use of microorganisms to change food substances, for example bacteria converting milk sugar into lactic acid.

A vessel in which microorganisms are grown under controlled conditions.

The middle circulation cell, approximately between 30° and 60° north or south, with surface air moving towards 60°.

A material, such as iron, cobalt or nickel, that responds strongly to a magnetic field and can itself be magnetised.

A metal containing iron. Examples include low carbon steel, cast iron and stainless steel.

Offspring that can themselves reproduce.

The joining of the nuclei of a male and female gamete to form a fertilised egg cell.

The fusion of male and female gamete nuclei, combining their chromosome sets to form a zygote.

A substance added to soil to supply mineral nutrients needed for plant growth.

A substance added to soil to supply nutrients that help plants grow.

A substance added to soil to supply mineral nutrients needed for plant growth.

The average number of children a woman is expected to have during her lifetime.

A religious occasion marked by worship and shared observances, often including celebration.

Temporary, permitted disruption of ordinary rules during a celebration, often involving disguise, mock authority and role reversal.

The temporary overturning of ordinary rules and hierarchies during a celebration, often through disguise, entertainment and role reversal.

Celebration and communal enjoyment, often involving music, dancing, food, drink and a temporary relaxation of ordinary rules.

The distance over open water across which wind blows to generate waves.

The repeating process in which the CPU retrieves an instruction from memory, interprets it and carries it out.

The repeated process in which the CPU fetches an instruction from main memory, decodes it and executes it.

Roman religious officials concerned with procedures surrounding treaties, demands for redress and declarations of war.

An iron restraint attached to a prisoner’s leg to restrict movement.