basal

IPA: bˈeɪsʌɫ

Basic, elementary; relating to, or forming, the base, or point of origin.
(anatomy) Associated with the base of an organism or structure.
(medicine) Of a minimal level that is necessary for maintaining the health or life of an organism.
(chiefly systematics) In a phylogenetic tree, being a group, or member of a group, which diverged earlier. The earliest clade to branch in a larger clade.

Examples of "basal" in Sentences

This is what is referred to as your basal metabolic rate BMR.
Does the term basal tear excite your sympathy, or reflex tear ignite a shower of certain understanding?
The disease-induced destruction of these cells, which are called "basal forebrain cholinergic" BFC neurons, is key to the progression of Alzheimer's.
This method of ovulation prediction is called the basal body temperature guide or BBT Using the BBT involves taking your temperature every day for at least two months.
In time, a slow and steady rise in basal cell calcium levels leads to activation of calcineurin, which in turn leads to nuclear importation of the transcription factor NFAT (Nuclear Factor of T-cells).
Furthermore, while the cochleal canal is shorter, and the promontorium is smaller, in basal mammaliaforms than is the case in mammals (Luo et al. 1995), Morganucodon in more mammal-like in these features than are more basal mammaliaforms (like Sinoconodon).
During the 1970s and 80s emphasis in basal whale research began to shift from Africa to Asia, at first because Sahni & Mishra (1972) described primitive whale remains discovered in India, and later as West (1980) figured and identified lower jaw specimens from Pakistan.