substrate

A surface or material that something grows on or sticks to.

• The fungus grows on a wooden substrate.
• Clean the substrate before applying the coating.
• These plants need a suitable substrate for growth.

Similar words: base, support

Common phrases: grow on substrate, coated substrate, substrate surface

A substance that an enzyme or chemical reaction changes.

• The enzyme breaks down its substrate.
• Higher substrate concentrations can change the reaction speed.
• Which substrate does this enzyme act on?

Common phrases: enzyme substrate, substrate concentration, substrate molecule

Sand, soil, or other material covering the bottom of an animal tank or enclosure.

• Spread the substrate across the tank floor.
• We replaced the dirty substrate in the terrarium.
• Which substrate is best for this snake?

Similar words: bedding, bottom material

Common phrases: aquarium substrate, sand substrate, substrate layer

An older language that affects the language which replaces it in a community.

• The earlier language left a substrate in local speech.
• Researchers found signs of a Celtic substrate.
• The substrate may explain these unusual sounds.

Similar words: substratum

Common phrases: linguistic substrate, celtic substrate, substrate influence