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. C

    LaTeX Advantages and disadvantages of VIM-LaTeX

    advantages and disadvantages of VIM-LaTeX?
  2. jim mcnamara

    LaTeX Handling Latex Issues in Equilibrium Constant Calculations | Physics Forums

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  3. F

    LaTeX Loading LaTeX Packages: What Do I Need?

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  4. phinds

    LaTeX How to Display LaTeX in Firefox 61.0?

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  5. KenJackson

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  6. M

    LaTeX How can I keep Latex expressions on the same line?

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  7. rude man

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  8. binbagsss

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  9. Chestermiller

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  10. Tunalover

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  11. Math Amateur

    LaTeX Latex Troubleshoot: Sizing \mid Signs

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  12. K

    LaTeX Latex Editor Gone? Find Out What Happened

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  13. Math Amateur

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  14. B

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  15. Janosh89

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  16. navneet9431

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  17. Math Amateur

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  18. S

    LaTeX How can I split up a long and complicated equation in LaTeX?

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  19. Merlin3189

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  20. F

    LaTeX Latex article template question

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  21. D

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  22. M

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  23. D

    LaTeX Why Analyze Sensitivity in Omnivory Models?

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  24. D

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  25. M

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  26. Math Amateur

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  27. PainterGuy

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  28. L

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  29. epenguin

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  30. M

    LaTeX Printing Code from Python in Latex via "minted"

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  31. topolosaurus

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  32. D

    LaTeX LateX error : I can't write on file 'Rapport.pdf'

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  33. qspeechc

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  34. qspeechc

    LaTeX Publishing: LibreOffice or Latex?

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  35. Tukhara

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  36. Pushoam

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  37. Ghost117

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  38. M

    LaTeX Why can't I use A(sub)b(/sub) with LaTeX delimiters?

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  39. M

    LaTeX Efficient Fractional Latex Code for Simplifying Equations

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  40. M

    LaTeX How does rendering work in web development?

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  41. S

    LaTeX Making Tables in LaTeX - 2017 Update

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  42. M

    LaTeX Mastering Bold Writing in Latex to Using Number Signs for Emphasis

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  43. gelfand

    LaTeX Asking for advice for how to post questions here

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  44. teroenza

    LaTeX Prevent Latex from Including the Location of Every Citation

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  45. Math Amateur

    LaTeX Latex Symbol: "Does Not Divide"

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  46. ATY

    LaTeX Align Multiple Points: A LaTeX Problem

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  47. S

    LaTeX Where is the how-to-use Latex thread?

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  48. doktorwho

    LaTeX Top iOS App for Creating PDFs with LaTeX | Texpad & Texwriter Alternatives

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  49. Imager

    LaTeX Learn How to Draw a Christmas Tree with Latex | Stack Exchange

    I was looking for something else at Stack Exchange and found a how to draw a Christmas tree with Latex thread. I thought the one by Loop Space was the best! http://tex.stackexchange.com/questions/39149/how-can-we-draw-a-christmas-tree-with-decorations-using-tikz
  50. M

    LaTeX Embedded fonts from LaTex to PDF

    Hi PF! I am submitting a pdf and am generating it in LaTex, specifically I'm using TeXShop. Instructions on submission say: "Ensure that all fonts are embedded in the PDF file and that only Type 1 or TrueType fonts are used. In addition, any offeror who creates files using TeX or LaTeX is...
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