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Glite Dictionary
comb-plate

comb-plate

9.9
A row of tiny hairs joined together that some sea animals use to move
  • noun
  • /koʊm pleɪt/
  • Specialized
translation icon : placa de peine
  • The ctenophore moves through the water by beating its comb-plates in coordinated waves.

Examples

  • Each comb-plate is made up of thousands of cilia fused together at the base.

  • The comb-plate helps the organism swim efficiently.

  • Researchers observed the shimmering effect created by light passing through the comb-plates.

  • Many marine animals use a comb-plate for locomotion.

  • The ctenophore moves through the water by beating its comb-plates in coordinated waves.

  • Each comb-plate is made up of thousands of cilia fused together at the base.

  • Many marine animals use a comb-plate for locomotion.

Synonyms

comb
vscomb-plate
  • Specialized
1 9.9

A row of moving hair-like plates that help some sea animals swim

is used for the same organ but applies beyond only ctenophore species
ctene
vscomb-plate
  • Specialized
9.9

A row of joined tiny hairs on comb jellies that they move to swim

is used for the same organ but applies to some marine animals generally

Surface Forms

comb-plate singular
comb-plates plural

Morphology

comb-plate = comb + plate (semi-transparent) = comb + plate

The components 'comb' and 'plate' are clear, but the term is a specialized biological compound whose precise function ('a row of fused cilia') is technical and not obvious to general learners.

Etymology

The word comb-plate comes from the English words comb 'a tool with many teeth' and plate 'a flat piece'. Imagine a flat comb made of thousands of tiny hair-like parts called cilia that beat together to push the animal through the water, so a comb-plate is a flat row that helps the animal move.