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microsystem

microsystem

7.1
A small habitat, like a drop of pond water, that supports tiny plants and animals
  • noun
  • /ˈmaɪkroʊˌsɪstəm/
  • Specialized
translation icon : microhábitat
  • The coral reef is a delicate microsystem where colorful fish and corals coexist, forming a complex habitat.

Examples

  • Within the microsystem, interaction is affected by the presence of third parties.

    Academic text (2008)

  • The mesosystem involves relations between microsystems or connections between contexts.

    Academic text (2008)

  • It refers to connections among microsystems, such as alternative certification classes, peer meetings, mentoring sessions, and the school site, which foster candidates' development.

    Academic text (2008)

  • Evaluations of magnet schools or programs can range from microsystem to macrosystem examinations; that is, the evaluation model can explore factors that are specific to an individual school setting or it can provide information about the functioning of the magnet schools on a system level.

    Academic text (1994)

  • He demonstrated how a child interacts with his or her environment in a series of systems that include the microsystem, mesosystem, exosystem, and the macrosystem (Thomas, 1996).

    Academic text (2003)

  • The second is InfiniBand (IB), the switching technology that Sun Microsystems helped evolve into a fabric—the underlying infrastructure of a carrier-grade cloud.

    Blog text (1)

  • In the forest, the tiny pond serves as a unique microsystem that supports various species of frogs and insects.

  • An urban garden can act as a microsystem, fostering the growth of specific plants and attracting local wildlife.

Synonyms

community
vsmicrosystem
  • Specialized
38 2.8

A group of plants and animals that live and interact in the same area

is a small distinct habitat emphasizing specific species and local interactions
microcosm
vsmicrosystem
22 8.4

A small group or place that shows what a larger society is like

is a local ecological community focusing on habitat and species interactions
microhabitat
vsmicrosystem
  • Specialized
7.1

A small place inside a habitat where certain animals or plants live

is a small distinct ecological group or habitat supporting specific organisms
microenvironment
vsmicrosystem
6.8

A small area inside a larger place that has different conditions

is about a small biological community or habitat supporting organisms

How Small

microhabitat
  • Specialized
7.1
microsystem
  • Specialized
7.1
community
  • Specialized
38 2.8
ecosystem
  • Specialized
98 3.4
biome
  • Specialized
2 6.9

Surface Forms

microsystem singular
microsystems plural

Morphology

microsystem = system (semi-transparent) = micro + system

The word is built transparently from micro- + system, but the ecological sense is a specialized extension rather than a purely literal small system.

Etymology

The word microsystem combines micro- meaning 'very small' and system meaning 'a group that works together'. So it refers to a tiny ecological community, like the plants and animals in a single drop of pond water.