Science terms starting with G

542 terms

gene expression (JEEN ek-SPREH-shun) The process by which a gene gets turned on in a cell to make RNA and proteins.
Gene family Group of closely related genes that make similar products.
Gene flow The exchange of genes between different but (usually) related populations.
Gene frequency The percentage of a given allele in a population of organisms. See Allele.
Gene gun See: biolistics.
gene imprinting The differential expression of a single gene according to its parental origin.
Gene insertion The addition of one or more copies of a normal gene into a defective chromosome.
gene interaction The modification of the action of one gene by another, non-allelic gene.
gene knockout See: knockout.
Gene library See: library.
Gene linkage The hereditary association of genes located on the same chromosome.
gene machine See: transposon tagging.
gene mapping See: mapping.
Gene modification The chemical repair of a gene's defective DNA sequence. See DNA.
Gene pool The totality of all alleles of all genes of all individuals in a particular population.
Gene prediction Predictions of possible genes made by a computer program based on how well a stretch of DNA sequence matches known gene sequences
gene probe See: probe.
Gene product The biochemical material, either RNA or protein, resulting from expression of a gene.
gene recombination See: recombination.
gene regulation The process of controlling the synthesis or suppression of gene products in specific cells or tissues.
gene replacement The incorporation of a transgene into a chromosome at its normal location by homologous recombination, thus replacing the copy of the gene originally…
gene sequencing See: DNA sequencing.
gene shears See: ribozyme.
gene silencing See: silencing.
Gene splicing Combining genes from different organisms into one organism. See recombinant DNA.
gene stacking See: stacked genes.
Gene testing See: genetic testing, genetic screening
gene therapy (jeen THAYR-uh-pee) Treatment that alters a gene. In studies of gene therapy for cancer, researchers are trying to improve the body's natural ability to…
gene tracking Following the inheritance of a particular gene from generation to generation.
gene transfer The insertion of genetic material into a cell.
Gene translocation The movement of a gene fragment from one chromosomal location to another, which often alters or abolishes expression.
genera Plural form of genus.
General Aviation That portion of civil aviation, which encompasses all facets of aviation except air carriers.
General Circulation The totality of large-scale organized motion for the entire global atmosphere.
General Circulation Model General circulation model (GCM) Numerical representation of the atmosphere and its phenomena over the entire Earth, using the equations of motion and…
General Circulation Model (GCM) A global, three-dimensional computer model of the climate system which can be used to simulate human-induced climate change.
General Circulation Models (GCMs) - These computer simulations reproduce the Earth's weather patterns and can be used to predict change in the weather and climate.
general measurement strategy An approach to collecting useful information to help the Science Team fulfill the project mission.
General Relativity See Relativity.
General Wind Land management agency term for winds produced by synoptic-scale pressure systems on which smaller-scale or local convective winds are superimposed.
Generalist (species) An organism that can survive under a wide variety of conditions, and does not specialize to live under any particular set of circumstances.
generally regarded as safe (Abbreviation: GRAS). Designation given to foods, drugs, and other materials with a long-term history of not causing illness to humans, even though formal…
Generation The electricity generated by a system as recorded by a KWH meter, recorded in KWH or MWH.
Generation dispatch and control Aggregating and dispatching (sending off to some location) generation from various generating facilities, providing backup and reliability services.
generation time See: cell generation time.
generative See: germ line.
generative nucleus In many flowering plants, shed pollen is two-celled (in others it is three-celled or has a variable number).
Generator A device for converting mechanical energy to electrical energy.
Generator nameplate capacity The full-load continuous rating of a generator, prime mover, or other electric power production equipment under specific conditions as designated by the…
genet The individual(s) descended vegetatively from a single sexually produced zygote, including all entities derived from it.
Genetic assimilation Eventual extinction of a natural species as massive pollen flow occurs from another related species and the older crop becomes more like the new crop.
Genetic code The three-letter code that translates nucleic acid sequence into protein sequence.
genetic code (ATGC) The instructions in a gene that tell the cell how to make a specific protein. A, T, G, and C are the "letters" of the DNA code; they stand for the…
genetic complementation When two DNA molecules that are in the same cell together produce a function that neither DNA molecule can supply on its own.
genetic counseling (jeh-NEH-tik KOWN-suh-ling) A communication process between a specially trained health professional and a person concerned about the genetic risk of…
Genetic discrimination Prejudice against those who have or are likely to develop an inherited disorder.
Genetic disease A disease that has its origin in changes to the genetic material, DNA. Usually refers to diseases that are inherited in a Mendelian fashion, although…
genetic distance A measure of the genetic similarity between any pair of populations. This is measured on the basis of variation in a combination of phenotypic traits…
genetic distancing The collection of the data on phenotypic traits, marker allele frequencies or DNA sequences for two or more populations, and estimation of the genetic…
Genetic diversity The variety of different types of genes in a species or population.
Genetic drift Random variation in gene frequency from one generation to another.
Genetic engineering The manipulation of an organism's genetic endowment by introducing or eliminating specific genes through modern molecular biology techniques.
Genetic engineering technology See: recombinant DNA technology
genetic equilibrium The maintenance of a steady state with respect to allele frequencies in a group of interbreeding organisms.
genetic erosion The loss over time of allelic diversity, particularly in farmed organisms, caused by either natural or man-made processes. See: genetic drift.
genetic fingerprinting See: DNA fingerprinting.
genetic gain The increase in productivity achieved following a change in gene frequency effected by selection.
genetic heterogeneity Occurs where the genetic determination of a given phenotype differs between individuals.
Genetic illness Sickness, physical disability, or other disorder resulting from the inheritance of one or more deleterious alleles.
genetic immunization Delivery to a host organism of a cloned gene that encodes an antigen. After the cloned gene is expressed, it elicits an antibody response that protects…
Genetic informatics See: bioinformatics
genetic information Information contained in a nucleotide base sequence in chromosomal DNA or RNA.
genetic linkage See: linkage.
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…
genetic map The linear array of genes on a chromosome, based on recombination frequencies (linkage map) or physical location (physical or chromosomal map).
genetic mapping See: mapping.
genetic marker Alteration in DNA that may indicate an increased risk of developing a specific disease or disorder.
Genetic material See: genome
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…
genetic pollution Uncontrolled spread of genetic information (frequently referring to transgenes ) into the genomes of organisms in which such genes are not present in…
Genetic polymorphism See: polymorphism.
Genetic predisposition An inherited increase in the risk of developing a disease. Also called genetic susceptibility.
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.
genetic resources genetic material of actual or potential value.
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
genetic selection The process of selecting genes, cells, clones, etc., within populations or between populations or species.
Genetic testing Analyzing DNA to look for a genetic alteration that may indicate an increased risk for developing a specific disease or disorder.
genetic transformation See: transformation.
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…
genetic variation Differences between individuals attributable to differences in genotype.
genetically engineered organism (Abbreviation: GEO). Occasional alteRNA tive term for genetically modified organism.
genetically modified organism (Abbreviation: GMO). An organism that has been transformed by the insertion of one or more transgenes.
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…
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…
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…
Genome The complete genetic material of an organism.
Genome project Research and technology-development effort aimed at mapping and sequencing the genome of human beings and certain model organisms.
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…
Genomic library A library composed of fragments of genomic DNA. (See Library.)
Genomic sequence See: DNA