Latex Definition and 999 Threads

Latex is a stable dispersion (emulsion) of polymer microparticles in water. Latexes are found in nature, but synthetic latexes are common as well.
Latex as found in nature is a milky fluid found in 10% of all flowering plants (angiosperms). It is a complex emulsion consisting of proteins, alkaloids, starches, sugars, oils, tannins, resins, and gums that coagulate on exposure to air. It is usually exuded after tissue injury. In most plants, latex is white, but some have yellow, orange, or scarlet latex. Since the 17th century, latex has been used as a term for the fluid substance in plants, deriving from the Latin word for "liquid." It serves mainly as defense against herbivorous insects. Latex is not to be confused with plant sap; it is a distinct substance, separately produced, and with separate functions.
The word latex is also used to refer to natural latex rubber, particularly non-vulcanized rubber. Such is the case in products like latex gloves, latex condoms and latex clothing.
Originally, the name given to latex by indigenous Equator tribes who cultivated the rubber tree, Hevea brasiliensis, was "caoutchouc", from the words caa ('tear') and ochu ('tree'), because of the way it is collected.

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  1. D

    LaTeX Newbie to LaTeX: Is MacTeX Good for Beginners?

    I am new to LaTeX typesetting, I have used it in this forum but I would like to use it to create a pdf. I use a mac, and I came across MacTeX from a google search. Can anyone validate this, is it good for beginners? Thanks,
  2. A

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  3. L

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  4. R

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  5. A

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  6. L

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  7. B

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  8. J

    LaTeX Great online Latex equation editor

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  9. T

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  10. P

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  11. I

    LaTeX Math Latex Test: 22.26% Calculation Result

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  12. qspeechc

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  13. I

    LaTeX Simple Latex Fraction Calculation: 0.054

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  14. I

    LaTeX Anyway to download Latex onto my computer for personal use?

    topic
  15. T

    LaTeX Troubleshooting Latex Errors: Why Do Certain Latex Commands Always Have Errors?

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  16. D

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  17. H

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  18. Mapes

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  19. N

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  20. F

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  21. E

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  22. K

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  23. E

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  24. E

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  25. F

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  26. V

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  27. N

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  28. E

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  29. N

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  30. S

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  31. qspeechc

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  32. H

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  33. J

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  34. N

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  35. A

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  36. C

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  37. S

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  38. E

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  39. D

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  40. W

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  41. M

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  42. H

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  43. K

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  44. Saladsamurai

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  45. M

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  46. R

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  47. K

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  48. A

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  49. P

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  50. malawi_glenn

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