Biotechnology and Genetics terms starting with G

237 terms

  1. Genetic linkage map A linear map of the relative positions of genes along a chromosome. Distances are established by linkage analysis, which determines the frequency at which…
  2. genetic map The linear array of genes on a chromosome, based on recombination frequencies (linkage map) or physical location (physical or chromosomal map).
  3. genetic mapping See: mapping.
  4. genetic marker Alteration in DNA that may indicate an increased risk of developing a specific disease or disorder.
  5. Genetic material See: genome
  6. Genetic mosaic An organism in which different cells contain different genetic sequence. This can be the result of a mutation during development or fusion of embryos at…
  7. genetic pollution Uncontrolled spread of genetic information (frequently referring to transgenes ) into the genomes of organisms in which such genes are not present in…
  8. Genetic polymorphism See: polymorphism.
  9. Genetic predisposition An inherited increase in the risk of developing a disease. Also called genetic susceptibility.
  10. genetic relatedness A quantitative estimate of the proportion of genes, ®, shared between the genomes of any two individuals, groups or populations, e.g. r = 0.
  11. genetic resources genetic material of actual or potential value.
  12. Genetic screening Testing a population group to identify a subset of individuals at high risk for having or transmitting a specific genetic disorder. See also
  13. genetic selection The process of selecting genes, cells, clones, etc., within populations or between populations or species.
  14. Genetic testing Analyzing DNA to look for a genetic alteration that may indicate an increased risk for developing a specific disease or disorder.
  15. genetic transformation See: transformation.
  16. genetic use restriction technology (Abbreviation: GURT). A proposed technology applying transgenesis to genetically compromise the fertility or the performance of saved seed of a cultivar…
  17. genetic variation Differences between individuals attributable to differences in genotype.
  18. genetically engineered organism (Abbreviation: GEO). Occasional alteRNA tive term for genetically modified organism.
  19. genetically modified organism (Abbreviation: GMO). An organism that has been transformed by the insertion of one or more transgenes.
  20. Genetically modified organism (GMO ): Often, the label GMO and the term "transgenic" are used to refer to organisms that have acquired novel genes from other organisms by laboratory "gene…
  21. Genetics (jeh-NEH-tix) The study of genes and heredity. Heredity is the passing of genetic information and traits (such as eye color and an increased chance of…
  22. Genital Ridge Formation of a genital ridge requires at least two genes, WT-1, which is also important in early kidney formation, and SF-1, required for the development…
  23. Genome The complete genetic material of an organism.
  24. Genome project Research and technology-development effort aimed at mapping and sequencing the genome of human beings and certain model organisms.
  25. Genomic imprinting A biochemical phenomenon that determines, for certain specific genes, which one of the pair of identical genes, the mother's or the father's, will be…
  26. Genomic library A library composed of fragments of genomic DNA. (See Library.)
  27. Genomic sequence See: DNA
  28. Genomics (jeh-NOH-miks) The study of the complete genetic material, including genes and their functions, of an organism.
  29. Genotype The structure of DNA that determines the expression of a trait. See Phenotype.
  30. Genus A category including closely related species. Interbreeding between organisms within the same category can occur.
  31. GEO Genetically engineered organism.
  32. geotropism A growth curvature induced by gravity. Synonym: gravitropism.
  33. germ 1.The botanical term for a plant embryo. 2. Colloquial: a disease-causing micro-organism.
  34. Germ cell Reproductive cell. See Somatic cell.
  35. Germ cell (germ line) gene therapy The repair or re- placement of a defective gene within the gamete-forming tissues, which produces a heritable change in an organism's genetic constitution.
  36. germ cell gene therapy The repair or replacement of a defective gene within the gamete-forming tissues, resulting in a heritable change in an organism's genetic constitution.
  37. Germ cells (or primordial germ cells) A gamete, that is, a sperm or egg, OR a primordial cell that can mature into a sperm or egg.
  38. germ layer The layers of cells in an animal embryo at the gastrula stage, from which the various organs of the animal's body will be derived.
  39. Germ layers The three germ layers are the endoderm, mesoderm and ectoderm and are the three precursory tissue layers of the early, primitive embryo (which form at…
  40. germ line A lineage of cells which, during the development of an organism, are set aside as potential gamete-forming tissues.
  41. germ line cell See: germ cell.
  42. Germ line gene therapy The delivery of a gene or genes to a fertilized egg or an early embryonic cell.
  43. Germ line genetic mutation See: mutation
  44. germicide Any chemical agent used to control or kill any pathogenic and non-pathogenic micro-organisms.
  45. germinal epithelium 1. A layer of epithelial cells on the surface of the ovary that are continuous with the mesothelium. 2.
  46. germination 1. The initial stages in the growth of a seed to form a seedling. 2. The growth of spores (fungal or algal) and pollen grains.
  47. Germline cells Cells that contain inherited material that comes from the eggs and sperm, and that are passed on to offspring.
  48. germplasm 1. An individual, group of individuals or a clone representing a genotype, variety, species or culture, held in an in situ or ex situ collection. 2.
  49. Gestation The period between conception (fertilization of the egg ) to parturition (birth) spent in utero by the foetus of viviparous animals.
  50. GFP Abbreviation for green fluorescent protein.
  51. GH Abbreviation for growth hormone.
  52. gibberellins A class of plant growth regulators which are active in the elongation, enhancement of flower, fruit and leaf size, germination, vernalization and other…
  53. gland An organ that makes one or more substances, such as hormones, digestive juices, sweat, tears, saliva, or milk.
  54. glaucous A surface with a waxy, white coating. In most cases, this waxy covering can be rubbed off.
  55. Glia The nonneuronal or supporting tissue (neuroglia) of the brain and spinal cord.
  56. Glial cells (glee'-ul sells) branched cells that make up the supporting structure of the nervous (brain & spinal cord) tissue.
  57. Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) A structural protein specifically produced by astrocytes. GFAP is often used as a marker of astrocytes.
  58. globulins Common class of proteins in blood, eggs and milk, and seeds. Characterized by their slight solubility in water but are freely soluble in dilute salt…
  59. GLP Abbreviation for good laboratory practice.
  60. Glucagon A hormone produced by the pancreas that increases the level of glucose (sugar) in the blood.
  61. glucocorticoid A compound that belongs to the family of compounds called corticosteroids (steroids).
  62. glucose invertase An enzyme that catalyses the hydrolysis of sucrose into its component monosaccharides, glucose and fructose.
  63. glucose isomerase An enzyme that catalyses the interconversion of the two sugars, glucose and fructose.
  64. glucosinolates A class of molecules produced in the seeds and green tissue of a range of plants, in particular brassicas.
  65. glucuronidase See: beta-glucuronidase.
  66. gluten A mixture of two seed storage protein classes, gliadin and glutenin, found in the endosperm of cereal (particularly wheat) grain.
  67. glycoalkaloids A group of modified alkaloids, including solanine and tomatine, having a range of toxic effects in humans and other species.
  68. glycoform One of several structures possible for a given glycoprotein, determined by the type and position of attachment of the component oligosaccharide (s).
  69. glycolysis A process in which glucose (sugar) is partially broken down by cells in enzyme reactions that do not need oxygen.
  70. glycoprotein A protein that has sugar molecules attached to it.
  71. glycoprotein remodelling The use of restriction endoglycosidases to enzymatically remove oligosaccharide branches from glycoprotein molecules.
  72. glycosylation The covalent addition of sugar or sugar-related molecules to other classes of molecule, including proteins or nucleic acids.
  73. glyphosate An active ingredient in some herbicides, killing plants by inhibiting the activity of plant enolpyruvyl-shikimate 3-phosphate synthase.
  74. glyphosate oxidase An enzyme which catalyses the break-down of glyphosate, discovered in a strain of Pseudomonas bacteria which were found to produce unusually large amounts…
  75. glyphosate oxidoreductase An enzyme from the micro-organism Ochrobactrum anthropi, which catalyses the break-down of glyphosate.
  76. GM food Abbreviation for genetically modified food. Food that contains above a certain legal minimum content of raw material obtained from genetically modified…
  77. GMO Genetically modified organism.
  78. GMP Abbreviation for 1. guanosine 5'-monophosphate. Synonym: guanylic acid. 2. good manufacturing practice.
  79. gobar See: biogas.
  80. golden rice A biotechnology-derived rice, which contains large amounts of beta carotene (a precursor of vitamin A) in its seeds.
  81. Golgi apparatus An assembly of vesicles and folded membranes within the cytoplasm of plant and animal cells that stores and transports secretory products (such as enzymes…
  82. gonad The part of the reproductive system that produces and releases eggs (ovary) or sperm (testicle/testis).
  83. Gonadal ridge Anatomic site in the early fetus where primordial germ cells (PGCs) are formed.
  84. Gonadal ridges Embryonic structures arising in humans at about five weeks, eventually developing into gonads (either testes or ovaries).
  85. Gonads The embryonic sex gland before it becomes a definitive testis or ovary.
  86. Good Laboratory Practice an approved method to perform a basic operation, activity, or service in a laboratory which influences or enhances the quality of its output.
  87. good manufacturing practice (Abbreviation: GMP). Codes of practice designed to reduce to a minimum the chance of procedural or instrument/manufacturing plant problems which could…
  88. Goosecoid Gene that encodes a transcription factor that is important for determining craniofacial orientation and features in the vertebrate embryo.
  89. graft Healthy skin, bone, or other tissue taken from one part of the body and used to replace diseased or injured tissue removed from another part of the body.
  90. graft chimera A plant which is a mosaic of two sorts of tissue differing in genetic constitution and assumed to have arisen as the result of a nuclear fusion following…
  91. graft hybrid An individual formed from graft (2) and stock showing the characteristics of both progenitors. See: graft chimera.
  92. graft inoculation test A test based on the use of a suspected viral carrier which is grafted to an indicator plant.
  93. graft union The point at which a scion from one plant is joined to a rootstock from another plant.
  94. Graft Versus Host Disease (GVHD) A side effect of a bone marrow or stem cell transplant that occurs when new bone marrow or stem cells (the graft) reject or attack the patient's body (the…
  95. graft-versus-host disease (... dih-ZEEZ) A disease caused when cells from a donated stem cell graft attack the normal tissue of the transplant patient.
  96. grafting The process of making a graft (1).
  97. Gram staining A technique to distinguish between two major bacterial groups, based on whether or not their cell wall retains the Gram stain.
  98. Granulocyte (GRAN-yoo-loh-SITE) A type of white blood cell that fights bacterial infection. Neutrophils, eosinophils, and basophils are granulocytes.
  99. Granulose cells Cells surrounding and maintaining the ovarian follicle.
  100. granum (pl.: grana) Structure within the chloroplasts, appear as green granules with the light microscope and as a series of parallel lamellae with the electron…