Biotechnology and Genetics — page 16 of 40

Biotechnology and Genetics terms

1501. 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…
1502. 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…
1503. 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…
1504. Genome The complete genetic material of an organism.
1505. Genome project Research and technology-development effort aimed at mapping and sequencing the genome of human beings and certain model organisms.
1506. 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…
1507. Genomic library A library composed of fragments of genomic DNA. (See Library.)
1508. Genomic sequence See: DNA
1509. Genomics (jeh-NOH-miks) The study of the complete genetic material, including genes and their functions, of an organism.
1510. Genotype The structure of DNA that determines the expression of a trait. See Phenotype.
1511. Genus A category including closely related species. Interbreeding between organisms within the same category can occur.
1512. GEO Genetically engineered organism.
1513. geotropism A growth curvature induced by gravity. Synonym: gravitropism.
1514. germ 1.The botanical term for a plant embryo. 2. Colloquial: a disease-causing micro-organism.
1515. Germ cell Reproductive cell. See Somatic cell.
1516. 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.
1517. 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.
1518. 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.
1519. 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.
1520. 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…
1521. germ line A lineage of cells which, during the development of an organism, are set aside as potential gamete-forming tissues.
1522. germ line cell See: germ cell.
1523. Germ line gene therapy The delivery of a gene or genes to a fertilized egg or an early embryonic cell.
1524. Germ line genetic mutation See: mutation
1525. germicide Any chemical agent used to control or kill any pathogenic and non-pathogenic micro-organisms.
1526. germinal epithelium 1. A layer of epithelial cells on the surface of the ovary that are continuous with the mesothelium. 2.
1527. 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.
1528. Germline cells Cells that contain inherited material that comes from the eggs and sperm, and that are passed on to offspring.
1529. 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.
1530. Gestation The period between conception (fertilization of the egg ) to parturition (birth) spent in utero by the foetus of viviparous animals.
1531. GFP Abbreviation for green fluorescent protein.
1532. GH Abbreviation for growth hormone.
1533. gibberellins A class of plant growth regulators which are active in the elongation, enhancement of flower, fruit and leaf size, germination, vernalization and other…
1534. gland An organ that makes one or more substances, such as hormones, digestive juices, sweat, tears, saliva, or milk.
1535. glaucous A surface with a waxy, white coating. In most cases, this waxy covering can be rubbed off.
1536. Glia The nonneuronal or supporting tissue (neuroglia) of the brain and spinal cord.
1537. Glial cells (glee'-ul sells) branched cells that make up the supporting structure of the nervous (brain & spinal cord) tissue.
1538. Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) A structural protein specifically produced by astrocytes. GFAP is often used as a marker of astrocytes.
1539. 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…
1540. GLP Abbreviation for good laboratory practice.
1541. Glucagon A hormone produced by the pancreas that increases the level of glucose (sugar) in the blood.
1542. glucocorticoid A compound that belongs to the family of compounds called corticosteroids (steroids).
1543. glucose invertase An enzyme that catalyses the hydrolysis of sucrose into its component monosaccharides, glucose and fructose.
1544. glucose isomerase An enzyme that catalyses the interconversion of the two sugars, glucose and fructose.
1545. glucosinolates A class of molecules produced in the seeds and green tissue of a range of plants, in particular brassicas.
1546. glucuronidase See: beta-glucuronidase.
1547. gluten A mixture of two seed storage protein classes, gliadin and glutenin, found in the endosperm of cereal (particularly wheat) grain.
1548. glycoalkaloids A group of modified alkaloids, including solanine and tomatine, having a range of toxic effects in humans and other species.
1549. glycoform One of several structures possible for a given glycoprotein, determined by the type and position of attachment of the component oligosaccharide (s).
1550. glycolysis A process in which glucose (sugar) is partially broken down by cells in enzyme reactions that do not need oxygen.
1551. glycoprotein A protein that has sugar molecules attached to it.
1552. glycoprotein remodelling The use of restriction endoglycosidases to enzymatically remove oligosaccharide branches from glycoprotein molecules.
1553. glycosylation The covalent addition of sugar or sugar-related molecules to other classes of molecule, including proteins or nucleic acids.
1554. glyphosate An active ingredient in some herbicides, killing plants by inhibiting the activity of plant enolpyruvyl-shikimate 3-phosphate synthase.
1555. 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…
1556. glyphosate oxidoreductase An enzyme from the micro-organism Ochrobactrum anthropi, which catalyses the break-down of glyphosate.
1557. GM food Abbreviation for genetically modified food. Food that contains above a certain legal minimum content of raw material obtained from genetically modified…
1558. GMO Genetically modified organism.
1559. GMP Abbreviation for 1. guanosine 5'-monophosphate. Synonym: guanylic acid. 2. good manufacturing practice.
1560. gobar See: biogas.
1561. golden rice A biotechnology-derived rice, which contains large amounts of beta carotene (a precursor of vitamin A) in its seeds.
1562. 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…
1563. gonad The part of the reproductive system that produces and releases eggs (ovary) or sperm (testicle/testis).
1564. Gonadal ridge Anatomic site in the early fetus where primordial germ cells (PGCs) are formed.
1565. Gonadal ridges Embryonic structures arising in humans at about five weeks, eventually developing into gonads (either testes or ovaries).
1566. Gonads The embryonic sex gland before it becomes a definitive testis or ovary.
1567. 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.
1568. 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…
1569. Goosecoid Gene that encodes a transcription factor that is important for determining craniofacial orientation and features in the vertebrate embryo.
1570. 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.
1571. 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…
1572. graft hybrid An individual formed from graft (2) and stock showing the characteristics of both progenitors. See: graft chimera.
1573. graft inoculation test A test based on the use of a suspected viral carrier which is grafted to an indicator plant.
1574. graft union The point at which a scion from one plant is joined to a rootstock from another plant.
1575. 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…
1576. 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.
1577. grafting The process of making a graft (1).
1578. Gram staining A technique to distinguish between two major bacterial groups, based on whether or not their cell wall retains the Gram stain.
1579. Granulocyte (GRAN-yoo-loh-SITE) A type of white blood cell that fights bacterial infection. Neutrophils, eosinophils, and basophils are granulocytes.
1580. Granulose cells Cells surrounding and maintaining the ovarian follicle.
1581. 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…
1582. GRAS Abbreviation for generally regarded as safe.
1583. gratuitous inducer A substance that can induce transcription of a gene or genes, but is not a substrate for the induced enzyme(s).
1584. gravitropism See: geotropism.
1585. Green Fluorescent Protein (Abbreviation: GFP). A protein derived from a species of jelly fish, that fluoresces when exposed to ultra violet light.
1586. Green fluorescent protein (GFP) Fluorescent-protein dye used to tag and trace particular genes and cells of interest.
1587. Green revolution Advances in genetics, petrochemicals, and machinery that culminated in a dramatic increase in crop productivity during the third quarter of the 20th…
1588. Gro-luxä A wide-spectrum fluorescent lamp suitable for artificial light for plant growth.
1589. growth cabinet An enclosed space in which environmental conditions can be controlled. The degree of control over temperature, light and humidity is a function of the…
1590. Growth curve See Growth phase.
1591. growth factor (grohth FAK-ter) A substance made by the body that functions to regulate cell division and cell survival.
1592. Growth Factors Substances sometimes given to transplant patients to stimulate the production of blood cells, or to stem cell donors to mobilize stem cells into the…
1593. growth hormone A protein made by the pituitary gland that helps control body growth and the use of glucose and fat in the body. Also called somatotropin.
1594. growth inhibitor Any substance inhibiting the growth of an organism. The inhibitory effect can range from mild inhibition (growth retardation) to severe inhibition or…
1595. growth phase Each of the characteristic periods in the growth curve of a bacterial culture, as indicated by the shape of a graph of viable cell number versus time…
1596. Growth phase (curve) The characteristic periods in the growth of a bacterial culture, as indicated by the shape of a graph of viable cell number versus time.
1597. Growth rate A growth rate measures the percentage increase in the value of a variety of markets, companies, or operations.
1598. growth regulator A synthetic or natural compound that at low concentrations elicits and controls growth responses in a manner similar to hormones.
1599. growth retardant A chemical that selectively interferes with normal hormonal promotion of growth and other physiological processes, but without appreciable toxic effects.
1600. growth ring Rings visible in a cross-section of a woody stem, such as a tree trunk. Each ring represents the xylem formed in one year as a result of fluctuating…