Gaston Planté: …resulted in construction of a battery for the storage of electrical energy; his first model contained two sheets of lead, separated by rubber strips, rolled into a spiral, and immersed in a solution containing about 10 percent sulfuric acid. A year later he presented a battery to the Academy of…

Francis Planté was a French pianist active in Paris in the late 19th century. Planté made his Paris debut as a nine-year-old prodigy. He became a pupil of A.-F. Marmontel at the Conservatoire in 1849 and won the first prize for piano in 1850 after only seven months of tuition. He then became a

Gaston Planté was a French physicist who produced the first electric storage battery, or accumulator, in 1859; in improved form, his invention is widely used in automobiles. Planté followed an academic career, beginning in Paris as a lecture assistant in physics at the Conservatory of Arts and

Jacques Plante was an innovative French-Canadian hockey player, one of the most successful of all goaltenders in the National Hockey League (NHL). He was an integral member of the powerful Montreal Canadiens team that won a record five successive Stanley Cups (1956–60); following his pioneering

Jacques Plante was an innovative French-Canadian hockey player, one of the most successful of all goaltenders in the National Hockey League (NHL). He was an integral member of the powerful Montreal Canadiens team that won a record five successive Stanley Cups (1956–60); following his pioneering

Robert Smalls: …work aboard the steamship CSS Planter, which operated as an armed transport and dispatch vessel, carrying guns and ammunition for the Confederate army. On May 13, 1862, Smalls and other enslaved people on board took control of the ship in Charleston Harbor; he picked up his wife and children and…

United States: Political growth: …the Blue Ridge mountains, a planter class came to dominate nearly every aspect of those colonies’ economic life. These same planters, joined by a few prominent merchants and lawyers, dominated the two most important agencies of local government—the county courts and the provincial assemblies. This extraordinary concentration of power in…

Johannes Eugenius Bülow Warming: …to plant ecology, Plantesamfund (1895; Oecology of Plants). The book was an attempt to group and characterize plant communities (by which Warming meant a group of species growing in the same locality) that are subject to the same external conditions arising from the interaction of ecological factors.

plant hopper, any member of several insect families of the order Homoptera, easily recognized because of the hollow, enlarged head extension that may appear luminous (see lanternfly). Plant hoppers feed on plant juices and excrete honeydew, a sweet by-product of digestion. Plant hoppers, ranging in

black bear: …soles of their feet (plantigrade locomotion).

black bear: …soles of their feet (plantigrade locomotion).

typography: Mechanical composition: …cut at this time included Plantin, based upon the types of the great Antwerp printer, Christophe Plantin, and Caslon; the latter was made at the instigation of George Bernard Shaw’s publishers, since Shaw, who had strong views on typography, would not allow any other face for his books. World War…

Christophe Plantin was a French printer, founder of an important printing house and publisher of the Antwerp Polyglot Bible. Plantin learned bookbinding and bookselling at Caen, Normandy, and settled in 1549 as a bookbinder in Antwerp. A bad arm wound seems to have led him (about 1555) to turn to

arboriculture: …plants may be propagated by seeding, grafting, layering, or cutting. In seeding, seeds are usually planted in either a commercial or home nursery in which intensive care can be given for several years until the plants are of a size suitable for transplanting on the desired site. In soil layering,…

Daniel C. Dennett: …2009 discussion with Christian philosopher Alvin Plantinga was published as Science and Religion: Are They Compatible? (2011). His alignment with the views of atheist activists Richard Dawkins, Christopher Hitchens, and Sam Harris led Hitchens to dub their cohort “the Four Horsemen of the Counter-Apocalypse.”

Explore other Botanize! episodes and learn more about prescribed fire and pyrophytic adaptations. Melissa Petruzzello: Hello and welcome to this episode of Botanize! I’m Melissa Petruzzello, Encyclopædia Britannica’s plant and environmental science editor. Today’s topic is about fire and plants

National Botanical Garden of Belgium: The world’s largest greenhouse, the Palace of Plants, has been constructed on the 230-acre (93-hectare) estate there. Within this vast glass complex covering 2.5 acres (1 hectare), 13 greenhouses are devoted to plant displays for the public and for students, with special attention given to tropical plants of commercial value,…

Maximus Planudes was a Greek Orthodox humanities scholar, anthologist, and theological polemicist in the controversy between Byzantium and Rome. His Greek translations of works in classical Latin philosophy and literature and in Arabic mathematics publicized these areas of learning throughout the

Maximus Planudes was a Greek Orthodox humanities scholar, anthologist, and theological polemicist in the controversy between Byzantium and Rome. His Greek translations of works in classical Latin philosophy and literature and in Arabic mathematics publicized these areas of learning throughout the

planula, free-swimming or crawling larval type common in many species of the phylum Cnidaria (e.g., jellyfish, corals, and sea anemones). The planula body is more or less cylindrical or egg-shaped and bears numerous cilia (tiny hairlike projections), which are used for locomotion. Planulae are

planula, free-swimming or crawling larval type common in many species of the phylum Cnidaria (e.g., jellyfish, corals, and sea anemones). The planula body is more or less cylindrical or egg-shaped and bears numerous cilia (tiny hairlike projections), which are used for locomotion. Planulae are

atherosclerosis: Pathophysiology: …thicken to form atheromas, or atherosclerotic plaques. These plaques may narrow the vessel channel, interfering with the flow of blood.

medal: The Baroque period: The cast portrait plaque was revived by the Romantic sculptor Pierre-Jean David d’Angers (1789–1856) in his series of portraits forming a Galérie des contemporaines, begun in 1827. The Paris school of the late 18th century, especially the work of Benjamin Duvivier (1728–1819) for King Louis XVI, combined Rococo…

tooth: Diseases of teeth and gums: …of a yellowish film called plaque on teeth, which tends to harbour bacteria. The bacteria that live on plaque ferment the sugar and starchy-food debris found there into acids that destroy the tooth’s enamel and dentine by removing the calcium and other minerals from them. Caries usually commences on surface…

plaque, in microbiology, a clear area on an otherwise opaque field of bacteria that indicates the inhibition or dissolution of the bacterial cells by some agent, either a virus or an antibiotic. It is a sensitive laboratory indicator of the presence of some anti-bacterial

psoriasis: The most common type, called plaque psoriasis (psoriasis vulgaris), is characterized by slightly elevated reddish patches or papules (solid elevations) covered with silvery white scales. In most cases, the lesions tend to be symmetrically distributed on the elbows and knees, scalp, chest, and buttocks. The lesions may remain small and…

Plasencia, city, Cáceres provincia (province), in the Extremadura comunidad autónoma (autonomous community), western Spain. It lies on the Jerte River in the Plasencia valley, northeast of Cáceres city. Although there are Roman ruins at Caparra nearby, as well as evidence of Stone Age and Iberian

John Stanley Plaskett was a Canadian astronomer remembered for his expert design of instruments and his extensive spectroscopic observations. Plaskett, a skilled mechanic and photographer, graduated from the University of Toronto in 1899. In 1903 he joined the staff of the Dominion Observatory at

plasma, in physics, an electrically conducting medium in which there are roughly equal numbers of positively and negatively charged particles, produced when the atoms in a gas become ionized. It is sometimes referred to as the fourth state of matter, distinct from the solid, liquid, and gaseous

plasma, in mineralogy, semitranslucent, microgranular or microfibrous, semiprecious variety of the silica mineral chalcedony. Its colour, various shades of green, is due to disseminated silicate particles of different kinds—e.g., amphibole or chlorite. Other properties are those of quartz. Plasma

plasma, the liquid portion of blood. Plasma serves as a transport medium for delivering nutrients to the cells of the various organs of the body and for transporting waste products derived from cellular metabolism to the kidneys, liver, and lungs for excretion. It is also a transport system for

plasma arc gasification (PAG), waste-treatment technology that uses a combination of electricity and high temperatures to turn municipal waste (garbage or trash) into usable by-products without combustion (burning). Although the technology is sometimes confused with incinerating or burning trash,

machine tool: Plasma arc machining (PAM): PAM is a method of cutting metal with a plasma-arc, or tungsten inert-gas-arc, torch. The torch produces a high-velocity jet of high-temperature ionized gas (plasma) that cuts by melting and displacing material from the workpiece. Temperatures obtainable in the plasma zone range…

plasma cell, short-lived antibody-producing cell derived from a type of leukocyte (white blood cell) called a B cell. B cells differentiate into plasma cells that produce antibody molecules closely modeled after the receptors of the precursor B cell. Once released into the blood and lymph, these

mastitis: …uncommon type of mastitis, called plasma cell mastitis, occurs most frequently in older women who have had a number of children and have a history of difficulty in nursing. It is sometimes difficult to distinguish from cancer of the breast. In this disease lymphatic fluids stagnate in the breast, and…

multiple myeloma, malignant proliferation of cells within the bone marrow that usually occurs during middle age or later and increases in occurrence with age. Myelomas are slightly more common in males than in females and can affect any of the marrow-containing bones, such as the skull, the flat

Hannes Alfvén: Alfvén devised “plasma cosmology,” a concept that challenged the big-bang model of the origin of the universe. The theory posited that the universe had no beginning (and has no foreseeable end) and that plasma—with its electric and magnetic forces—has done more to organize matter in the universe…

television: Plasma display panels: Plasma display panels (PDPs) overcome some of the disadvantages of both CRTs and LCDs. They can be manufactured easily in large sizes (up to 125 cm, or 50 inches, in diagonal size), are less than 10 cm (4 inches) thick, and have…

plasma: Containment: …to diffuse out of the plasma; this time is different for each type of configuration. Various types of instabilities can occur in plasma. These lead to a loss of plasma and a catastrophic decrease in containment time. The most important of these is called magnetohydrodynamic instability. Although an equilibrium state…

plasma: Applications of plasmas: …high-density plasma mixture called a plasma jet to be ejected. It has many chemical and metallurgical applications.

cell membrane, thin membrane that surrounds every living cell, delimiting the cell from the environment around it. Enclosed by this cell membrane (also known as the plasma membrane) are the cell’s constituents, often large, water-soluble, highly charged molecules such as proteins, nucleic acids,

plasma oscillation, in physics, the organized motion of electrons or ions in a plasma. Each particle in a plasma assumes a position such that the total force resulting from all the particles is zero, thus producing a uniform state with a net charge of zero. If an electron is moved from its

Hannes Alfvén: …his essential contributions in founding plasma physics—the study of plasmas (ionized gases).

globulin, one of the major classifications of proteins, which may be further divided into the euglobulins and the pseudoglobulins. The former group is insoluble in water but soluble in saline solutions and may be precipitated in water that has been half-saturated with a salt such as ammonium

geomagnetic field: Outer magnetic field: …sheet of particles called the plasma sheet. The plasma sheet has an inner boundary about 11 Re behind Earth. It also has upper and lower boundaries as shown. The projection of these boundaries onto the northern and southern portions of the atmosphere at about 67° magnetic latitude corresponds to two…

advanced ceramics: Rapid heating: …means of rapid heating are plasma sintering and microwave sintering. Plasma sintering takes place in an ionized gas. Energetic ionized particles recombine and deposit large amounts of energy on the surfaces of the ceramic being sintered. Extremely high sintering rates have been achieved with this method. In microwave sintering, electromagnetic…

plasma, in physics, an electrically conducting medium in which there are roughly equal numbers of positively and negatively charged particles, produced when the atoms in a gas become ionized. It is sometimes referred to as the fourth state of matter, distinct from the solid, liquid, and gaseous

comet: General considerations: The ion tail forms from the volatile gases in the coma when they are ionized by ultraviolet photons from the Sun and blown away by the solar wind. Ion tails point almost exactly away from the Sun and glow bluish in colour because of the presence…

hemophilia: …IX (hemophilia B) or of factor XI (hemophilia C); hemophilia B (also called Christmas disease), like hemophilia A, is sex-linked and occurs almost only in males, whereas hemophilia C may be transmitted by both males and females and is found in both sexes.

hemophilia: …attributed to a deficiency of factor IX (hemophilia B) or of factor XI (hemophilia C); hemophilia B (also called Christmas disease), like hemophilia A, is sex-linked and occurs almost only in males, whereas hemophilia C may be transmitted by both males and females and is found in both sexes.

integrated circuit: Chemical methods: Another variation, known as plasma-enhanced (or plasma-assisted) chemical vapour deposition, uses low pressure and high voltage to create a plasma environment. The plasma causes the gases to react and precipitate at much lower temperatures of 300 to 350 °C (600 to 650 °F) and at faster rates, but this…

mass spectrometry: High-frequency-produced plasma: …but was first used in plasma-emission spectrometry (optical and near optical). Samples are introduced by means of a carrier gas, typically argon, and ions result as from the direct-current arc but with very few molecular ions and with the absence of impurities introduced by source electrodes. Such discharges are generally…

integrated circuit: Chemical methods: Another variation, known as plasma-enhanced (or plasma-assisted) chemical vapour deposition, uses low pressure and high voltage to create a plasma environment. The plasma causes the gases to react and precipitate at much lower temperatures of 300 to 350 °C (600 to 650 °F) and at faster rates, but this…

peroxisome: …of membrane lipids known as plasmalogens. In plant cells, peroxisomes carry out additional functions, including the recycling of carbon from phosphoglycolate during photorespiration. Specialized types of peroxisomes have been identified in plants, among them the glyoxysome, which functions in the conversion of fatty acids to carbohydrates.

plasmapause, portion of the magnetosphere that rotates with the Earth at about four Earth radii (approximately 26,000 km, or 16,000 miles); beyond this region there is a rapid decrease in electron concentrations, and their circulation pattern is quite different. Under very quiet solar conditions,

Guillain-Barré syndrome: Treatment and recovery: …typically with immunotherapy, such as plasmapheresis, in which blood is withdrawn from the body to remove antibodies and is then transfused back into the body, using a replacement plasma fluid. Another immunotherapy that may be used is intravenous immunoglobulin, which involves the injection into a vein of a concentrate of…

plasmid, in microbiology, an extrachromosomal genetic element that occurs in many bacterial strains. Plasmids are circular deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) molecules that replicate independently of the bacterial chromosome. They are not essential for the bacterium but may confer a selective advantage.

blood: Hemostasis: Plasmin is a proteolytic enzyme—a substance that causes breakdown of proteins—derived from an inert plasma precursor known as plasminogen. When clots are formed within blood vessels, activation of plasminogen to plasmin may lead to their removal. (For additional information about the mechanics and significance of…

blood: Hemostasis: …inert plasma precursor known as plasminogen. When clots are formed within blood vessels, activation of plasminogen to plasmin may lead to their removal. (For additional information about the mechanics and significance of hemostasis, see bleeding and blood clotting.)

plasmodesma, microscopic cytoplasmic canal that passes through plant-cell walls and allows direct communication of molecules between adjacent plant cells. Plasmodesmata are formed during cell division, when traces of the endoplasmic reticulum become caught in the new wall that divides the parent

plasmodesma, microscopic cytoplasmic canal that passes through plant-cell walls and allows direct communication of molecules between adjacent plant cells. Plasmodesmata are formed during cell division, when traces of the endoplasmic reticulum become caught in the new wall that divides the parent

plasmodium, in fungi (kingdom Fungi), a mobile multinucleate mass of cytoplasm without a firm cell wall. A plasmodium is characteristic of the vegetative phase of true slime molds (Myxomycetes) and such allied genera as Plasmodiophora and Spongospora. The plasmodium of a slime mold is formed from

clubroot: …by the funguslike soil pathogen Plasmodiophora brassicae. Affected plants are stunted and yellowed; they wilt during hot sunny days and partially recover at night. In the early stages roots are greatly distorted by a mass of small to large “clubs,” often spindle-like, but in a variety of shapes. Susceptible plants…

Plasmodiophoromycota, phylum of endoparasitic slime molds in the kingdom Chromista. Some scientists assign Plasmodiophoromycota to the kingdom Protista; the taxonomy of the group, however, remains contentious. Several species are economically significant plant pathogens, including Plasmodiophora

Plasmodiophoromycota, phylum of endoparasitic slime molds in the kingdom Chromista. Some scientists assign Plasmodiophoromycota to the kingdom Protista; the taxonomy of the group, however, remains contentious. Several species are economically significant plant pathogens, including Plasmodiophora

Plasmodium, a genus of parasitic protozoans of the sporozoan subclass Coccidia that are the causative organisms of malaria. Plasmodium, which infects red blood cells in mammals (including humans), birds, and reptiles, occurs worldwide, especially in tropical and temperate zones. The organism is

plasmodium, in fungi (kingdom Fungi), a mobile multinucleate mass of cytoplasm without a firm cell wall. A plasmodium is characteristic of the vegetative phase of true slime molds (Myxomycetes) and such allied genera as Plasmodiophora and Spongospora. The plasmodium of a slime mold is formed from

blackwater fever: …with infection from the parasite Plasmodium falciparum.

malaria: Evolution of malaria parasites in primates: …were found in gorillas, and P. gaboni, which was found in chimpanzees. Gorillas in Africa were also found to be infected with P. falciparum, providing the first evidence that this organism is able to naturally infect a primate species other than humans. This discovery raised concern over the close interactions…

malaria: Evolution of malaria parasites in primates: These new strains included P. GorA and P. GorB, which were found in gorillas, and P. gaboni, which was found in chimpanzees. Gorillas in Africa were also found to be infected with P. falciparum, providing the first evidence that this organism is able to naturally infect a primate species…

malaria: Evolution of malaria parasites in primates: GorA and P. GorB, which were found in gorillas, and P. gaboni, which was found in chimpanzees. Gorillas in Africa were also found to be infected with P. falciparum, providing the first evidence that this organism is able to naturally infect a primate species other than humans.…

malaria: The course of the disease: malariae, and P. knowlesi. The most common worldwide is P. vivax. The deadliest is P. falciparum. In 2008 P. knowlesi, which was thought to infect primarily Old World monkeys and to occur only rarely in humans, was identified as a major cause of malaria in humans in…

malaria: The course of the disease: ovale, P. malariae, and P. knowlesi. The most common worldwide is P. vivax. The deadliest is P. falciparum. In 2008 P. knowlesi, which was thought to infect primarily Old World monkeys and to occur only rarely in humans, was identified as a major cause of malaria…

malaria: The course of the disease: vivax, P. ovale, P. malariae, and P. knowlesi. The most common worldwide is P. vivax. The deadliest is P. falciparum. In 2008 P. knowlesi, which was thought to infect primarily Old World monkeys and to occur only rarely in humans, was identified as a major cause…

malaria: Evolution of malaria parasites in primates: …primates (other than humans) was P. reichenowi, which occurs in both chimpanzees and gorillas. This organism, first described between 1917 and 1920, was found to be very similar morphologically to P. falciparum, suggesting that the two must be closely related. However, subsequent studies conducted in the 1920s and ’30s demonstrated…

malaria: The course of the disease: (single-celled) parasites: Plasmodium falciparum, P. vivax, P. ovale, P. malariae, and P. knowlesi. The most common worldwide is P. vivax. The deadliest is P. falciparum. In 2008 P. knowlesi, which was thought to infect primarily Old World monkeys and to occur only rarely in humans, was identified as a…

fungus: Sexual reproduction: Plasmogamy, the fusion of two protoplasts (the contents of the two cells), brings together two compatible haploid nuclei. At this point, two nuclear types are present in the same cell, but the nuclei have not yet fused. Karyogamy results in the fusion of these haploid…

geomagnetic field: Expansion phase: …of plasma and field, or plasmoid, from the centre of the magnetotail. The plasmoid travels down the tail, collapsing the plasma sheet behind it.

radiation: Excitation states: The plasmon state is a highly delocalized state formed collectively through Coulombian (electrostatic) interaction of weakly bound electrons. Energy losses, approximating 10–20 eV in most materials, resulting from formation of plasmon states are seen in the impact of electrons of a few tens of kilovolts energy…

Pierre-Marie-Alexis Millardet: Along with phylloxera came Plasmopara viticola, a downy mildew fungus that damaged fruits and vegetables, particularly grapes. Farmers for centuries in the Médoc area of France had sprinkled their vines with a thick mixture of copper sulfate, lime, and water, whose unappetizing appearance discouraged thieves from stealing the grapes.…

Palashi, historic village, east-central West Bengal state, northeastern India. It lies just east of the Bhagirathi River, about 80 miles (130 km) north of Kolkata (Calcutta). Palashi likely takes its name from the Palash tree, whose red flowers can be used to produce gulal, the colored powder

Battle of Plassey, battle fought between troops of the British East India Company, led by Robert Clive, and forces led by Sirāj al-Dawlah, the last independent nawab (ruler) of Bengal, on June 23, 1757. A decisive victory for the British East India Company marked its transformation from a mere

plaster, a pasty composition (as of lime or gypsum, water, and sand) that hardens on drying and is used for coating walls, ceilings, and partitions. Plastering is one of the most ancient building techniques. Evidence indicates that primitive peoples plastered their reed or sapling shelters with

George Segal: …an American sculptor of monochromatic cast plaster figures often situated in environments of mundane furnishings and objects.

plaster of paris, quick-setting gypsum plaster consisting of a fine white powder (calcium sulfate hemihydrate), which hardens when moistened and allowed to dry. Known since ancient times, plaster of paris is so called because of its preparation from the abundant gypsum found near Paris. Plaster of

printmaking: Plaster print: Good proofs of an intaglio plate can be made by plaster casting, for fine plaster of paris will pick up the most delicate details. This method will produce a particularly attractive proof if the plate has deeply etched or engraved sections.

drywall, any of various large rigid sheets of finishing material used in drywall construction to face the interior walls of dwellings and other buildings. Drywall construction is the application of walls without the use of mortar or plaster. Drywall materials include plywood and wood pulp,

plasterer bee, (family Colletidae), large family of bees with more than 2,500 species found worldwide. Their common name, which is often used to refer to the bees of the genus Colletes, is derived from the protective, cellophane-like material that females secrete and plaster to the walls of their

plastic, polymeric material that has the capability of being molded or shaped, usually by the application of heat and pressure. This property of plasticity, often found in combination with other special properties such as low density, low electrical conductivity, transparency, and toughness, allows

Clara Bow: …flapper, in such films as The Plastic Age (1925), Mantrap (1926), Kid Boots (1926), and Dancing Mothers (1926).

metallurgy: Metallurgy: …processing and composition is the plastic anisotropy ratio. When a segment of sheet is strained (i.e., elongated) in one direction, the thickness and width of the segment must shrink, since the volume remains constant. In an isotropic sheet the thickness and width show equal strain, but, if the grains of…

Piet Mondrian: Later years of Piet Mondrian: …to publish his essay “Plastic Art and Pure Plastic Art,” Mondrian’s first essay in English, in the international publication Circle, of which Nicholson was coeditor. In this way, Mondrian’s ideas continued to gain an even broader audience. When Mondrian decided to leave Paris in 1938, under the shadow of…

Damon Albarn: Gorillaz later released Plastic Beach (2010), which promoted a message of environmental awareness, and The Fall (2010). After a six-year hiatus, Blur resumed performing in 2009, and its eighth studio album, The Magic Whip, appeared in 2015. Two years later Gorillaz issued the politically themed Humanz, and their…

plasma: Plasma oscillations and parameters: In an inelastic collision, a fraction of the kinetic energy is transferred to the internal energy of the colliding particles. In an atom, for example, the electrons have certain allowed (discrete) energies and are said to be bound. During a collision, a bound electron may be excited—that…

liquid crystal: Symmetries of liquid crystals: These are the so-called plastic crystals. Many interesting liquid crystal phases are not listed in this table, including the discotic phase, consisting of disk-shaped molecules, and the columnar phases, in which translational symmetry is broken in not one but two spatial directions, leaving liquidlike order only along columns. The…

ice: Mechanical properties: This plastic deformation, or creep, is of great importance to the study of glacier flow. It involves two processes: intracrystalline gliding, in which the layers within an ice crystal shear parallel to each other without destroying the continuity of the crystal lattice, and recrystallization, in which…

explosive: Picric acid and ammonium picrate: A series of plastic demolition explosives with great shattering power, designated Composition C-1 to Composition C-4, has had considerable publicity. These contain about 80 percent RDX combined with a mixture of various oils, waxes, and plasticizers. The only significant difference is in the temperature range through which they…

carboxylic acid: Unsaturated aliphatic acids: Solid fats, obtained mostly from animal sources, have a high percentage of saturated fatty acids. Liquid fats (often called oils), obtained mainly from plant or fish sources, have a high percentage of unsaturated fatty acids. An exception is coconut oil, which, though obtained from a…

ice: Mechanical properties: This plastic deformation, or creep, is of great importance to the study of glacier flow. It involves two processes: intracrystalline gliding, in which the layers within an ice crystal shear parallel to each other without destroying the continuity of the crystal lattice, and recrystallization, in which…

traditional ceramics: Forming: The mechanisms of plastic forming and slip casting are described below.