The loss of some genes may explain how vampire bats can live on blood

adaptation: (in biology) Develop new programs, processes, policies and structures to make communities and their inhabitants better able to withstand – or at least – withstand the dangerous effects of a warming climate. These effects may include drought, floods, forest fires, extreme heat and severe storms.

bat: A type of winged mammal that includes more than 1,100 individual species – or one in four known mammal species. (in sports) Usually wooden sports equipment that a player uses to force the ball. (v.) Either the act of swinging a stick or a flat bat in the hope of hitting the ball.

behavior: The way something, often a person or another organism, acts towards others or behaves.

birds: warm-blooded animals with wings that first appeared in the days of the dinosaurs. Birds are dressed in feathers and produce young from eggs that are laid in a nest. Most birds fly, but throughout history there have been occasional species that do not fly.

calories: the amount of energy required to raise the temperature of 1 gram of water by 1 degree Celsius. It is usually used as a measure of the energy contained in a certain amount of food. Exception: when it comes to energy in food, it is called a calorie, or 1000 of these calories, “calories”. Here, the calorie of food is the amount of energy needed to increase 1 kilogram of water by 1 degree C.

cell: (in biology) The smallest structural and functional unit of the organism. Usually too small to see with the naked eye, it consists of an aqueous fluid surrounded by a membrane or wall. Depending on the size of the animal consists of thousands to trillions of cells.

connection: (often used as a synonym for a chemical) A compound is a substance formed by combining two or more chemical elements in fixed proportions. For example, water is a compound consisting of two hydrogen atoms bonded to one oxygen atom. Its chemical symbol is H₂O.

diet: (n.) Foods and fluids that are absorbed by the animal to provide the nutrition necessary for growth and health. Sometimes it’s a definite meal plan. (v.) Adopt a specific meal plan.

DNA: (short for deoxyribonucleic acid) A long, double-stranded and helical molecule inside most living cells that carries genetic instructions. It is built on the basis of phosphorus, oxygen and carbon atoms. In all living things, from plants and animals to microbes, these instructions tell cells what molecules to make.

to develop: (approx. evolutionary) Gradually change over generations or over a long period of time. In living organisms, such evolution usually involves random changes in genes that are then passed on to the offspring of the individual. This can lead to new signs such as discoloration, a new predisposition to or protection against disease, or another form (such as feet, tendrils, toes or internal organs). Inanimate things can also be described as evolving if they change over time. For example, computer miniaturization is sometimes described as these devices evolving into smaller, more sophisticated devices.

highlight: To remove waste from the body, such as urine.

family: A taxonomic group consisting of at least one genus of organisms.

gen: (adv. genetic) A segment of DNA that encodes or contains instructions for the production of a protein cell. Offspring inherit genes from parents. Genes affect how the body looks and behaves.

genome: A complete set of genes or genetic material in a cell or organism. The study of this genetic heritage contained in cells is known as genomics.

inside: An informal term for the gastrointestinal tract, especially the intestines.

hormone: (in zoology and medicine) A chemical that is produced in the gland and then carried with the bloodstream to another part of the body. Hormones control many important actions of the body, such as growth. Hormones act by triggering or regulating chemical reactions in the body. (in botany) A chemical compound that serves as a signaling compound that tells plant cells when and how to develop, or when to age and die.

insulin: A hormone produced in the pancreas (an organ that is part of the digestive system) that helps the body use glucose as fuel.

iron: a metallic element that is common in the minerals of the earth’s crust and its hot core. This metal is also found in cosmic dust and in many meteorites.

mammals: a warm-blooded animal characterized by possession or fur, secretion of milk by females for feeding young animals and (usually) rearing of live young animals.

mutation: (v. mutate) Some changes that occur in a gene in the body’s DNA. Some mutations occur naturally. Others may be caused by external factors such as pollution, radiation, medications or something in the diet. A gene with this change is called a mutant.

receptor: (in biology) A molecule in cells that serves as a docking station for another molecule. This second molecule may involve some special cell activity.

social: (note.) Relating to assemblies of people; a term for animals (or humans) that prefer to exist in groups. (noun) Gathering people, such as those who belong to a club or other organization, in order to enjoy each other’s company.

species: A group of similar organisms capable of producing offspring that can survive and reproduce.

strategy: A thoughtful and sensible plan to achieve some difficult or difficult goal.

tasteA: One of the main properties that the body uses to feel the environment, especially foods, is through receptors (taste buds) on the tongue (and some other organs).

toxic: Poisonous or capable of damaging or killing cells, tissues or entire organisms. A measure of the risk of such a poison is its toxicity.

rice: A characteristic feature of what-n. (in genetics) A quality or characteristic that can be inherited.

unique: That which is unlike anything else; one of a kind.