Food Biotechnology — page 19 of 34

3,375 terms

Food Biotechnology terms

  1. linkage The frequency of coinheritance of a pair of genes and/or genetic markers, which provides a measure of their physical proximity to one another on a…
  2. Linkage disequilibrium See: gametic phase disequilibrium.
  3. linkage equilibrium See: gametic phase equilibrium.
  4. Linkage map See Genetic linkage map.
  5. linked gene, linked marker A gene or marker that is linked to another gene or marker.
  6. Linked genes/markers Genes and/or markers that are so closely associated on the chromosome that they are coinherited in 80% or more of cases.
  7. linker A short, double-stranded oligonucleotide containing a restriction endonuclease recognition site, which is ligated to the ends of a DNA fragment.
  8. Lipase A class of enzymes which break down lipids into their component fatty acids and glycerol.
  9. lipid Fat.
  10. lipofection Delivery into eukaryotic cells of DNA, RNA or other compounds that have been encapsulated in liposomes.
  11. lipopolysaccharide (Abbreviation: LPS). A compound containing lipid bound to a polysaccharide; often a component of microbial cells walls.
  12. liposome (LY-puh-some) A very tiny, fat-like particle that is made in the laboratory. In medicine, liposomes containing drugs or other substances are used in the…
  13. Liposomes Membrane-bound vesicles constructed in the laboratory to transport biological molecules.
  14. Liquefaction Enzymatic digestion (often by alpha-amylase) of gelatinized starch to form lower molecular weight polysaccharides.
  15. liquid medium Culture solution, without a solidifying agent, for in vitro cell growth.
  16. liquid membrane Thin films made up of liquids (as opposed to solids) which are stable in another liquid (usually water).
  17. liquid nitrogen Nitrogen gas condensed to a liquid with a boiling point of about -196 °C. Commonly used as a medium for long-term storage of biological materials.
  18. litmus paper A pH indicator paper. It turns red in acidic and blue in alkaline solutions.
  19. live recombinant vaccine A vaccine created by the expression of a pathogen antigen in a non-pathogenic organism.
  20. live vaccine A living, non-virulent form of a pathogenic micro-organism or virus used to elicit an antibody response for the protection against infection by a virulent…
  21. living modified organism (Abbreviation: LMO). "Living organism that possess a novel combination of genetic material obtained through the use of modern biotechnology " (Convention…
  22. LMO Abbreviation for living modified organism
  23. locus (LOH-kuss) Specific place where something is located or occurs. It may refer to a specific place on the body (such as an acupuncture point) or the place…
  24. Locus (plural = loci) A specific location or site on a chromosome.
  25. LOD score The logarithm of the odds of linkage between two loci. Used to measure the statistical support for linkage.
  26. Log phase See Logarithmic phase.
  27. logarithmic phase The growth phase in cell culture, during which cell number doubles every 20-30 minutes. Synonym: exponential phase.
  28. Logarithmic phase (log or exponential growth phase) The steepest slope of the growth curve--the phase of vigorous growth during which cell number doubles every 20-30 minutes. (See Growth phase.)
  29. long interspersed nuclear element (Abbreviation: LINE). Families of common DNA elements, of average length 6.5 kb, which are dispersed at numerous locations within the genome.
  30. long template A DNA strand, synthesized during PCR, which has a primer sequence at one end but is extended beyond the site that is complementary to the second primer at…
  31. long terminal repeat (Abbreviation: LTR). A characteristic sequence of nucleotides that occurs at each end of a retrovirus element that has become integrated into the host…
  32. long-day plant Plants requiring a period of short nights before the switch from vegetative to reproductive growth can be initiated. See: Short-day plant.
  33. loop bioreactor Fermenters in which material is cycled between a bulk tank and a smaller tank or loop of pipes.
  34. LPS Abbreviation for lipopolysaccharide.
  35. LTR Abbreviation for long terminal repeat.
  36. luteinizing hormone A pituitary hormone which causes growth of the yellow body of the ovary and also stimulates activity of the interstitial cells of the testis.
  37. luxury consumption Nutrient absorption by an organism in excess of that required for optimum growth and productivity.
  38. lyase Any of a class of enzymes that catalyse either the cleavage of a double bond and the addition of new groups to a substrate, or the formation of a double…
  39. Lymphocyte (LIM-foh-site) A type of white blood cell. Lymphocytes have a number of roles in the immune system, including the production of antibodies and other…
  40. lymphokine Generic name for proteins that are released by lymphocyte s to act on other cells involved in the immune response.
  41. lymphoma (lim-FOH-muh) Cancer that begins in cells of the immune system. There are two basic categories of lymphomas.
  42. lyophilize See: freeze-dry ing.
  43. lysis (LY-sis) In biology, lysis refers to the breakdown of a cell caused by damage to its plasma (outer) membrane.
  44. Lysogen A bacterial cell whose chromosome contains in- tegrated viral DNA.
  45. lysogenic Bacteria or bacteriophages undergoing lysogeny.
  46. lysogenic bacterium Bacterium harbouring temperate (non-virulent, lysogenic ) bacteriophages.
  47. lysogeny A condition in which a bacteriophage genome (pro-phage ) survives within a host bacterium, either as part of the host chromosome or as part of an…
  48. lysosome A sac-like compartment inside a cell that has enzymes that can break down cellular components that need to be destroyed.
  49. lysozyme A naturally occurring enzyme extracted from egg white protein and other animal and plant sources, which attacks the cell wall of gram-positive bacteria…
  50. lytic Having to do with lysis. In biology, lysis refers to the disintegration of a cell by disruption of its plasma membrane.
  51. lytic cycle The steps in viral production that lead to cell lysis.
  52. M13 A single-stranded DNA bacteriophage used as a vector for DNA sequencing.
  53. M13 strand The single-stranded DNA molecule that is present in the infective form of bacteriophage M13.
  54. MAAP Abbreviation for multiple arbitrary amplicon profiling.
  55. MAB Abbreviation for monoclonal antibody.
  56. macerate To disintegrate tissue to disrupt cells. Commonly achieved via mechanical shearing, plasmolysis or enzymatic cell wall degradation.
  57. macromolecule Any high molecular weight molecule. Often used as a synonym for polymers.
  58. macronutrient A major chemical element essential for normal growth and development. In tissue culture media, macronutrients are those required in concentrations above 0.
  59. macrophage A type of white blood cell that surrounds and kills microorganisms, removes dead cells, and stimulates the action of other immune system cells.
  60. macropropagation Production of plant clones from growing parts.
  61. macrospore See: megaspore.
  62. mad cow disease Colloquial term for bovine spongiform encephalopathy. See proteinaceous infectious particle
  63. MADS box A highly conserved DNA sequence motif found in a large family of transcription factors, most of which play important roles in developmental processes.
  64. Magenta Used in four color printing. Reflects blue & red and absorbs green.
  65. major histocompatibility antigen A cell-surface protein or glycoprotein that allows the immune system to distinguish foreign or "non-self" from "self". A better term is histoglobulin.
  66. major histocompatibility complex (Abbreviation: MHC). The large cluster of genes that encode the major histocompatibility antigens in mammals.
  67. Malignant (muh-LIG-nunt) Cancerous. Malignant tumors can invade and destroy nearby tissue and spread to other parts of the body.
  68. malt extract A mixture of organic compounds prepared from malt, used as a culture medium additive.
  69. malting Enzymatic reduction of starch to sugars in germinating grain, used in brewing.
  70. mammary gland Glandular organ located on the chest. The mammary gland is made up of connective tissue, fat, and tissue that contains the glands that can make milk.
  71. management of farm animal genetic resources The sum total of technical, policy and logistical operations involved in understanding (characterization), using and developing (utilization), maintaining…
  72. mannitol (MA-nih-TOL) A drug used to decrease swelling of the brain and to treat kidney failure.
  73. mannose A hexose component of many polysaccharides, occasionally used as a carbohydrate source in plant tissue culture media.
  74. MAP 1. verb: to determine the relative positions of loci (genes or DNA sequences) on a chromosome.
  75. map distance The standard measure of genetic distance between loci, expressed in centiMorgans (cM) or map units .
  76. map unit One centiMorgan (1 cM) See: map distance; crossing-over unit.
  77. mapping Determining the physical location of a gene or genetic marker on a chromosome. (See Continuous map, Genetic map, Physical map.)
  78. mapping function A mathematical expression relating observed recombination fraction to map distance.
  79. mariculture See: aquaculture.
  80. marker A diagnostic indication that disease may develop.
  81. marker gene A gene of known function or known location, used for marker-assisted selection or genetic studies.
  82. marker peptide A portion of fusion protein that facilitates its identification or purification.
  83. marker-assisted introgression The use of DNA markers to increase the speed and efficiency of introgression of a new allele(s) or gene(s) into a breeding population.
  84. marker-assisted selection (Abbreviation: MAS). The use of DNA markers to improve response to selection in a population.
  85. MAS Abbreviation for marker-assisted selection.
  86. mass selection As practised in plant and animal breeding, the selection ofa number of individuals, on the basis of their individual phenotypes, to interbreed to form the…
  87. maternal effect An effect attributable to a genetic contribution of the female parent of the individual being evaluated.
  88. maternal inheritance Inheritance controlled by non-nuclear genes (e.g. mitochrondria, chloroplast ) that are transmitted only through the female line.
  89. matric potential A water potential component, always of negative value, resulting from the presence of solid (often finely divided) surfaces; primarily responsible for…
  90. maturation The formation of gametes or spores.
  91. MCS Abbreviation for multiple cloning site. See: polylinker.
  92. MDA Abbreviation for multiple drop array. See: microdroplet array.
  93. Mean A statistics term. The average value in a set of measurements. The mean is the sum of a set of numbers divided by how many numbers are in the set.
  94. Media Any organization in the business of informing the public with news or commentary.
  95. median A statistics term. The middle value in a set of measurements.
  96. medium (pl.: media) 1. In plant tissue culture, a term for the liquid or solid formulation upon which plant cells, tissues or organs develop.
  97. medium formulation In tissue culture, the particular constituents for the culture medium, commonly comprising macro- and micro-elements, vitamins, plant hormones, and a…
  98. mega yeast artificial chromosome A yeast artificial chromosome (YAC) which can carry particularly large inserts (up to 1Mbp) - standard YACs typically carry inserts of up to 500kbp.
  99. megabase (Abbreviation: Mb). A length of DNA consisting of 106 bases.
  100. Megabase cloning The cloning of very large DNA fragments. (See Cloning.)

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