Food Biotechnology — page 32 of 34

3,375 terms

Food Biotechnology terms

  1. TATA box An adenine- and thymine-rich promoter sequence located 25-30 bp upstream of a gene, which is the binding site of RNA polymerase.
  2. tautomeric shift The transfer of a hydrogen atom from one position in an organic molecule to another position.
  3. tautomerism A type of isomerism in which the two isomers arising from a tautomeric shift are in equilibrium.
  4. Telomerase An enzyme that maintains the structure of the telomere by adding the required repetitive sequences to the ends of eukaryotic chromosomes.
  5. Telomere The end of a chromosome.
  6. telophase The last stage in each mitotic or meiotic division, in which the chromosomes coalesce at each pole of the dividing cell.
  7. temperate phage A phage (virus ) that invades but does not normally destroy (lyse) the host bacterial cell.
  8. temperature-sensitive mutant An organism that can grow at one temperature but not at another.
  9. temperature-sensitive protein A protein that is functional at one temperature but loses function at another (usually higher) temperature.
  10. Template a standard shape that the race car must comply to be within the NASCAR rules. The template closely resembles the shape of the factory car.
  11. template strand See: anticoding strand.
  12. terminal bud A branch tip, an undeveloped shoot containing rudimentary floral buds or leaves, enclosed within protective bud scales.
  13. terminal transferase An enzyme that catalyses the addition of nucleotides to the 3' end of a DNA molecule.
  14. terminalization Repelling movement of the centromeres of bivalents in the diplotene stage of the meiotic prophase, that appears to move visible chiasmata toward the ends…
  15. Termination codon Any of three mRNA sequences (UGA, UAG, UAA) that do not code for an amino acid and thus signal the end of protein synthesis. Also known as stop codon.
  16. termination signal In transcription, a nucleotide sequence that specifies RNA chain termination.
  17. terminator 1. A DNA sequence just downstream of the coding segment of a gene, which is recognized by RNA polymerase as a signal to stop synthesizing mRNA. 2.
  18. terminator codon See: stop codon.
  19. terminator gene A specific variety-level genetic use restriction technology. A patented technique.
  20. Terminator region A DNA sequence that signals the end of transcription.
  21. tertiary structure The three-dimensional conformation taken up by complete macromolecules as a result of intramolecular interactions, such as hydrogen-bonding.
  22. test-tube fertilization See: in vitro fertilization.
  23. testcross A cross between a genetically unknown individual and a recessive tester to determine whether the individual in question is heterozygous or homozygous for…
  24. testis (TES-tis) One of two egg-shaped glands inside the scrotum that produce sperm and male hormones. Also called testicle.
  25. testosterone (tes-TOS-ter-own) A hormone that promotes the development and maintenance of male sex characteristics.
  26. Tetracycline An antibiotic drug used to treat infection.
  27. tetrad The four haploid cells formed after the second meiotic division in plants (pollen tetrads) or fungi (ascospores).
  28. tetraploid An organism, or a tissue whose cells contain four haploid sets of chromosome s.
  29. tetrasomic (Noun: tetrasome). Pertaining to a nucleus or an organism with four members of one of its chromosomes, whereas the remainder of its chromosome complement…
  30. tetratype In fungi, a tetrad of spores that contains four different types; e.g. AB, aB, Ab and ab.
  31. TGGE Abbreviation for thermal gel gradient electrophoresis.
  32. thallus Plant body without true roots, stems, or leaves.
  33. therapeutic agent A compound used for the treatment of a disease or for improving the well-being of an organism. Synonyms: pharmaceutical agent, drug.
  34. Therapeutic cloning The potential use of stem cells to grow, in vitro, tissue or organs for use in transplantation.
  35. thermal gel gradient electrophoresis (Abbreviation: TGGE). A method for separating DNA fragments according to their mobility under increasingly denaturing conditions imposed by heat.
  36. thermal shock Exposure to reduced or increased temperature for a significant period.
  37. thermolabile Not resistant to heat, often in the context of a molecule which is unstable upon heating. Opposite: thermostable.
  38. thermophile An organism which is adapted to high temperatures, such as in hot springs and geysers, smoker vents on the sea floor, and domestic hot water pipes.
  39. thermosensitivity Loss of biological activity of a molecule at high temperature.
  40. thermostable A molecule which retains its biological activity at some specified higher temperature. Opposite: thermolabile.
  41. thermotherapy (THER-moh-THAYR-uh-pee) Treatment of disease using heat.
  42. thinning 1. Removal of older stems to promote new growth. 2. Removal of excess fruits to improve the size and quality of the remaining fruits. 3.
  43. thymidine A chemical compound found in DNA. Also used as treatment for mucositis.
  44. thymidine kinase (Abbreviation: tk). An enzyme that allows a cell to utilize an alternate metabolic pathway for incorporating thymidine into DNA.
  45. Thymidine kinase (tk) An enzyme that allows a cell to utilize an alternate metabolic pathway for incorporating thymidine into DNA.
  46. thymidine triphosphate Abbreviation: TTP; dTTP is strictly correct but rarely used.
  47. thymidylic acid (Abbreviation: TMP or dTMP). Synonym for thymidine 5'-monophosphate, a deoxyribonucleotide containing the nucleoside thymidine.
  48. thymine (Abbreviation: T). One the bases found in DNA. See: thymidine.
  49. Ti (tumor-inducing) plasmid A giant plasmid of Agrobac- terium tumefaciens that is responsible for tumor formation in infected plants.
  50. Ti plasmid Tumour-inducing plasmid. A large plasmid present in pathogenic Agrobacterium tumefaciens, responsible for the induction of tumours in plant with crown…
  51. Tissue (TISH-oo) A group or layer of cells that work together to perform a specific function.
  52. Tissue culture The in vitro culture of cell s, tissue s or organ s in a nutrient medium under sterile conditions.
  53. titre 1. The concentration of infectious virus particles present in a suspension. 2. A measure of antibody concentration, given by the highest dilution of the…
  54. tk Abbreviation for thymidine kinase.
  55. TMP Abbreviation for the deoxyribonucleotide thymidine 5'-monophosphate. See: thymidylic acid.
  56. Tolerance A condition in which higher doses of a drug are required to produce the same effect achieved during initial use; often associated with physical dependence.
  57. tonoplast The cytoplasmic membrane bordering the vacuole of plant cells. It plays a prominent role in regulating the osmotic pressure exerted by the cell sap.
  58. topo-isomerase See: DNA topo-isomerase.
  59. totipotency The ability of a cell or tissue to be induced to regenerate into a complete organism.
  60. Totipotent Having to do with cells that are able to develop into any type of cell found in the body.
  61. Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) (TSCA) The Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), passed in 1976, requires tests of chemicals that may harm human health or the environment; reviews of new…
  62. toxicity (tok-SIH-sih-tee) The extent to which something is poisonous or harmful.
  63. toxin (TOK-sin) A poison produced by certain animals, plants, or bacteria.
  64. tracer A substance (such as a radioisotope) used in imaging procedures.
  65. tracheid An elongated, tapering xylem cell, with lignified pitted walls, adapted for solute conduction and physical support.
  66. Traditional breeding Modification of plants and animals through selective breeding. Practices used in traditional plant breeding may include aspects of biotechnology such as…
  67. Trait See Phenotype.
  68. trans configuration See: repulsion.
  69. trans heterozygote A double heterozygote that contains two mutations arranged in the trans configuration.
  70. trans test See: complementation test.
  71. trans-acting 1. A term describing substances that are diffusable and that can affect spatially separated entities within cells. 2. A genetic element (e.g.
  72. trans-acting factor Any of the multiple ancillary DNA -binding proteins that interact with the cis-regulatory DNA sequences to control gene expression.
  73. Transcapsidation The partial of full coating of the nucleic acid of one virus with a coat protein of a differing virus. See Coat protein.
  74. Transcript a written copy of spoken or recorded material which is the official or legal copy of a court hearing, also called a court reporter’s transcript.
  75. Transcription In biology, the process by which a cell makes an RNA copy of a sequence of DNA that is a gene.
  76. Transcription factor A protein that regulates the transcription of genes.
  77. transcription unit A segment of DNA that contains signals for the initiation and termination of transcription, and is transcribed into one RNA molecule.
  78. transcriptional anti-terminator A protein that prevents RNA polymerase from terminating transcription at specific transcription termination sequences.
  79. transcriptional roadblock A DNA -binding protein which affects the rate at which RNA polymerases transcribe genes.
  80. Transducing phage See Transduction.
  81. Transduction The transfer of DNA sequences from one bacterium to another via lysogenic infection by a bacteriophage (transducing phage).
  82. Transfection The uptake and expression of a foreign DNA sequence by cultured eukaryotic cells.
  83. Transfer DNA See T\-DNA.
  84. transfer RNA See: tRNA.
  85. Transfer RNA (tRNA) See tRNA.
  86. transferase A class of enzymes that catalyses the transfer of a group of atoms from one molecule to another.
  87. Transformant In prokaryotes, a cell that has been ge- netically altered through the uptake of foreign DNA.
  88. transformation (TRANZ-for-MAY-shun) In medicine, the change that a normal cell undergoes as it becomes malignant.
  89. Transformation efficiency The number of bacterial cells that uptake and express plasmid DNA divided by the mass of plasmid used (in transformants/microgram). (See Transformation.)
  90. transformation efficiency or frequency The fraction of a cell population that takes up and integrates the introduced transgene; expressed as the number of transformed cells recovered divided by…
  91. Transforming oncogene A gene that upon transfection converts a previously immortalized cell to the malignant phenotype. (See Oncogene.)
  92. Transgene See Transgenic.
  93. transgenesis The introduction of a gene or genes into animal or plant cells, which leads to the transmission of the input gene (transgene ) to successive generations.
  94. Transgenic An organism in which a foreign DNA gene (a transgene) is incorporated into its genome early in de- velopment.
  95. Transgenic animal Genetically enginnered animal or offspring of genetically engineered animals. The transgenic animal usually contains material from at lease one unrelated…
  96. Transgenic plant Genetically engineered plant or offspring of genetically engineered plants. The transgenic plant usually contains material from at least one unrelated…
  97. transgressive variation The appearance, in a segregating generation, of individuals showing expression of a trait outside the extremes defined by the parent of the cross that was…
  98. transient expression Short-term activity of a transgene following its introduction into. Transient expression usually implies non-integration of the transgene into the.
  99. transition These are where one type of bottom material or structure changes to another, for instance, a rock pile to solid rock, or sand to gravel.
  100. transition stage The period between juvenile and reproductive stages of growth.

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