Biotechnology and Genetics terms starting with V

58 terms

  1. V region Variable region in antibodies. See: CDR.
  2. V&V Abbreviation for volume per volume. The relative proportion of each liquid in a mixture.
  3. vaccination Treatment with a vaccine.
  4. vaccine A substance or group of substances meant to cause the immune system to respond to a tumor or to microorganisms, such as bacteria or viruses.
  5. Vaccinia The cowpox virus used to vaccinate against smallpox and, experimentally, as a carrier of genes for antigenic determinants cloned from other disease…
  6. vacuole A fluid-filled membrane-bound cavity inside many plant cells, in which various plant products and by-products are stored.
  7. variable domain Regions of antibody molecules that have different amino acid sequences in different antibody molecules.
  8. variable expressivity Variation in the phenotype caused by different alleles of the same gene and/or by the action of other genes and/or by the action of non-genetic factors.
  9. variable number tandem repeat (Abbreviation: VNTR). A DNA sequence, present as tandem repeats, for which the number of copies varies greatly between unrelated genotypes.
  10. variable surface glycoprotein (Abbreviation: VSG). One of a battery of antigenic determinants expressed by a micro-organism to elude immune detection.
  11. Variable surface glycoprotein (VSG) One of a battery of antigenic determinants expressed by a microorganism to elude immune detection.
  12. Variance A special exemption of a zoning law to allow the property to be used in a manner different from an existing law.
  13. variant An individual that is genetically distinct from others in the population.
  14. Variation Differences in the frequency of genes and traits among individual organisms within a population.
  15. variegation The occurrence, within a single tissue, organ or organism, of mosaicism. Usually referring to plants showing either both green and albino colouration in a…
  16. Variety 1. A naturally occurring subdivision of a species, with distinct morphological characters. 2.
  17. Vascular Plant tissue specialized for the conduction of water or nutrients
  18. vascular bundle A strand of tissue containing and primary phloem (and procambium if present) and frequently enclosed by a bundle sheath of parenchyma or fibres.
  19. vascular cambium In biennials and perennials, cambium giving rise to secondary phloem and secondary xylem.
  20. vascular plant Plant species possessing organized vascular tissues.
  21. vascular system 1. A specialized network of vessels for the circulation of fluids throughout the body tissue of an animal. 2. The system of in plants.
  22. vector any living creature that transmits an infectious agent to humans.
  23. vegetative propagation See: asexual propagation.
  24. velocity density gradient centrifugation A procedure used to separate macromolecules based on their rate of movement through a density gradient.
  25. velogenetics The combined use of marker-assisted selection and embryo technologies such as OPU, IVM and IVF, in order to increase the rate of genetic improvement in…
  26. vermiculite Material made from expanded mica used as a rooting medium and as a soil additive.
  27. vernalization Chilling juvenile plants for a minimum period in order to induce flowering. Some plants require veRNA lization to flower, but others have no such…
  28. Vertical transmission Inheritance of a gene from parent to offspring.
  29. Vessel A series of xylem elements whose function is to conduct water and nutrients in plants.
  30. vessel element A type of cell occurring within the xylem of flowering plants. Many are water-conducting vessels.
  31. viability The capability to live and develop normally.
  32. viability test Assay of the number or percent of living cells or plants in a population following a specific treatment.
  33. viable Capable of normal completion of life cycle.
  34. vibrio Comma-shaped bacterium.
  35. Villi Projections from the surface, especially of a mucous membrane. If the projection is minute, as in a cell surface, it is called a microvillus.
  36. Vimentin The major polypeptide that joins with other subunits to form the intermediate filament cytoskeleton of mesenchymal cells.
  37. vir genes A set of genes on a Ti plasmid that prepare the T-DNA segment for transfer into a plant cell.
  38. viral coat protein A protein present in the layer surrounding the nucleic acid core of a virus.
  39. Viral oncogene A viral gene that contributes to malig- nancies in vertebrate hosts. (See Oncogene.)
  40. viral pathogen A disease-causing virus.
  41. viral vaccine Vaccine consisting of live viruses, genetically engineered to avoid causing the disease itself.
  42. virion A complete infectious virus particle.
  43. Viroid A plant pathogen that consists of a naked RNA molecule of approximately 250-350 nucleotides, whose extensive base pairing results in a nearly correct…
  44. virulence The ability of a microorganism to cause damage to its host.
  45. virulent phage A phage that destroys its host bacterium.
  46. viruliferous A vector (usually insect) organism that carries virions and spreads the virus from host to host by mechanical means.
  47. Virus (VY-rus) In medicine, a very simple microorganism that infects cells and may cause disease.
  48. virus-free Plant, animal, cell, tissue or meristem which exhibits no viral symptoms or contains no identifiable virus particles.
  49. virus-tested Description of a organism or a cell stock certified as being free of certain specified virus es following recognized procedures of virus diagnosis.
  50. vitamin A key nutrient that the body needs in small amounts to grow and stay strong. Examples are vitamins A, C, and E.
  51. Vitamins Various substances that are essential in minute quantities to the nutrition of animals and plants.
  52. vitrified Cultured tissue having leaves and sometimes stems with a glassy, transparent or wet and often swollen appearance.
  53. viviparous (adj.) See: vivipary.
  54. vivipary 1. A form of reproduction in animals in which the developing embryo obtains its nourishment directly from the mother via a placenta or by other means. 2.
  55. Vmax The maximal rate of an enzyme-catalysed reaction. Vmax is the product of Eo (the total amount of enzyme ) and Kcat (the catalytic rate constant).
  56. VNTR Abbreviation for variable number tandem repeat.
  57. volatilization The conversion of a solid or liquid into a gas or vapour.
  58. VSG See Variable surface glycoprotein.