Glossary
Adaptation: An alteration or adjustment in structure or habits, often hereditary, by which a species or individual improves its condition in relationship to its environment.
The American Heritage® Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2007, 2004 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Allergen: A substance, such as pollen, that causes an allergy.
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/allergenicity
Anneal: The pairing of complementary dna or rna sequences, via hydrogenbonding, to form a double-stranded molecule. Most often used to describe the binding of a short primer or probe.
http://www.biology-online.org/dictionary/Blunt_end
Antibiotic: A substance, such as penicillin or streptomycin, produced by or derived from certain fungi, bacteria, and other organisms, that can destroy or inhibit the growth of other microorganisms. Antibiotics are widely used in the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases.
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/antibiotic
Antibiotic resistance: The ability of bacteria and other microorganisms to resist the effects of an antibiotic to which they were once sensitive. Antibiotic resistance is a major concern of overuse of antibiotics. Also known as drug resistance.
http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=2276
Antioxidants: Substances that reduce the damage of the highly reactive free radicals that are the byproducts of the cells.
http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/Antioxidants
Artificial selection: Human intervention in animal or plant reproduction to ensure certain characteristics are represented in successive generations.
The American Heritage® Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2007, 2004 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Biolistics: the use of DNA-coated pellets, fired at high speed, to place DNA into plant and animal cells.
(Saunders Comprehensive Veterinary Dictionary, 3 ed. © 2007 Elsevier, Inc. All rights reserved)
Bioremediation: the treatment of pollutants or waste (as in an oil spill, contaminated groundwater, or an industrial process) by the use of microorganisms (as bacteria) that break down the undesirable substances
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bioremediation
Biotechnology: the use of microorganisms, such as bacteria or yeasts, or biological substances, such as enzymes, to perform specific industrial or manufacturing processes. Applications include the production of certain drugs, synthetic hormones, and bulk foodstuffs as well as the bioconversion of organic waste and the use of genetically altered bacteria in the cleanup of oil spills.
The American Heritage® Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2007, 2004 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
BT: An insecticide composed of a genetically altered bacterium (Bacillus thuringiensis) that is used to control many kinds of caterpillars that are pests of ornamental, crop, and other plants.
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/Bt
Blunt end: In molecular biology, a blunt end may result from the breaking of double-stranded DNA; however, there are no overhangs or unpaired bases.
http://www.biology-online.org/dictionary/Blunt_end
DNA (deoxirionucleic acid): A nucleic acid that carries the genetic information in the cell and is capable of self-replication and synthesis of RNA. DNA consists of two long chains of nucleotides twisted into a double helix and joined by hydrogen bonds between the complementary bases adenine and thymine or cytosine and guanine. The sequence of nucleotides determines individual hereditary characteristics.
The American Heritage® Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2007, 2004 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
DNA Ligase: an enzyme that can repair breaks in a strand of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) by synthesizing a bond between adjoining nucleotides. Under some circumstances the enzyme can join together loose ends of DNA strands, and in some cases it can repair breaks in ribonucleic acid (RNA). It serves as a catalyst.
Mosby's Medical Dictionary, 8th edition. © 2009, Elsevier
Ecologist: a biologist who studies the relation between organisms and their environment.
http://wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn?s=ecologist
Eosinophilia Myalgia Syndrome: A complex systemic syndrome with inflammatory and autoimmune components that affect the skin, fascia, muscle, nerve, blood vessels, lung, and heart.
http://www.nemsn.org/symptoms.htm
Enzymes: a protein that catalyzes chemical reactions of other substances without itself being destroyed or altered upon completion of the reactions. Enzymes are divided into six main groups: oxidoreductases, transferases, hydrolases, lyases, isomerases, and ligases
Dorland's Medical Dictionary for Health Consumers. © 2007 by Saunders
Gel Electrophoresis: Electrophoresis performed in a gel composed of agarose, polyacrylamide, or starch.
The American Heritage® Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2007, 2004 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Gene Flow: Transfer of genes from one population to another of the same species, as by migration or the dispersal of seeds and pollen.
The American Heritage® Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2007, 2004 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Genetically Modified Organisms: An organism whose genetic characteristics have been altered by the insertion of a modified gene or a gene from another organism using the techniques of genetic engineering.
The American Heritage® Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2007, 2004 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Genetic engineering: Scientific alteration of the structure of genetic material in a living organism. It involves the production and use of recombinant DNA and has been employed to create bacteria that synthesize insulin and other human proteins.
The American Heritage® Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2007, 2004 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Herbicides: chemical substances used to destroy or inhibit the growth of plants, especially weeds.
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/herbicide
L-Tryptophan: The biologically active form of the amino acid tryptophan, which is capable of being incorporated into proteins, such as the neurotransmitter serotonin. It was used formerly as a dietary supplement especially to promote sleep and relieve depression
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/L-tryptophan
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/l-tryptophan
Nucleobases: generic term for any of the nitrogenous rings found on nucleosides, nucleotides, and nucleic acids.
http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/glossary=nucleobase
Nucleotides: Any of various compounds consisting of a nucleoside combined with a phosphate group and forming the basic constituent of DNA and RNA.
The American Heritage® Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2007, 2004 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Pesticide: A chemical used to kill pests, especially insects.
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/pesticide
Plasmid: A circular, double-stranded unit of DNA that replicates within a cell independently of the chromosomal DNA. Plasmids are most often found in bacteria and are used in recombinant DNA research to transfer genes between cells.
The American Heritage® Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2007, 2004 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Polymerase Chain Reaction: (PCR) a rapid technique for in vitro amplification of specific DNA or RNA sequences, allowing small quantities of short sequences to be analyzed without cloning.
Dorland's Medical Dictionary for Health Consumers. © 2007 by Saunders
Proposition 37: the idea that all genetically modified products must be labeled.
http://www.mercurynews.com/elections/ci_21943915/proposition-37-trailing-early-returns
Recombinant DNA: Genetically engineered DNA prepared by transplanting or splicing genes from one species into the cells of a host organism of a different species. Such DNA becomes part of the host's genetic makeup and is replicated.
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/recombinant+dna
Restriction endonuclease: See restriction enzymes
Restriction enzymes: Any of a group of enzymes that catalyze the cleavage of DNA at specific sites to produce discrete fragments, used especially in genetic engineering. Also called restriction endonuclease.
The American Heritage® Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2007, 2004 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Sticky End: An end of DNA in which one strand of the double helix extends a few units beyond the other
Farlex Dictionary
Super weed: a hybrid plant that contains genes for herbicide resistance: produced by accidental crossing of genetically engineered crop plants with wild plants.
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/superweed
Transcription: he synthesis of RNA using a DNA template catalyzed by RNA polymerase; the base sequences of the RNA and DNA are complementary.
Dorland's Medical Dictionary for Health Consumers. © 2007 by Saunders
Transgene- A gene that is transferred from an organism of one species to an organism of another species by genetic engineering
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged
Translation: in genetics, the process by which polypeptide chains are synthesized, the sequence of amino acids being determined by the sequence of bases in a messenger RNA, which in turn is determined by the sequence of bases in the DNA of the gene from which it was transcribed.
Dorland's Medical Dictionary for Health Consumers. © 2007 by Saunders,
Vectors: A self-replicating DNA molecule that transfers a DNA segment between host cells.
http://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/Glossary.aspx
The American Heritage® Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2007, 2004 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Allergen: A substance, such as pollen, that causes an allergy.
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/allergenicity
Anneal: The pairing of complementary dna or rna sequences, via hydrogenbonding, to form a double-stranded molecule. Most often used to describe the binding of a short primer or probe.
http://www.biology-online.org/dictionary/Blunt_end
Antibiotic: A substance, such as penicillin or streptomycin, produced by or derived from certain fungi, bacteria, and other organisms, that can destroy or inhibit the growth of other microorganisms. Antibiotics are widely used in the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases.
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/antibiotic
Antibiotic resistance: The ability of bacteria and other microorganisms to resist the effects of an antibiotic to which they were once sensitive. Antibiotic resistance is a major concern of overuse of antibiotics. Also known as drug resistance.
http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=2276
Antioxidants: Substances that reduce the damage of the highly reactive free radicals that are the byproducts of the cells.
http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/Antioxidants
Artificial selection: Human intervention in animal or plant reproduction to ensure certain characteristics are represented in successive generations.
The American Heritage® Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2007, 2004 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Biolistics: the use of DNA-coated pellets, fired at high speed, to place DNA into plant and animal cells.
(Saunders Comprehensive Veterinary Dictionary, 3 ed. © 2007 Elsevier, Inc. All rights reserved)
Bioremediation: the treatment of pollutants or waste (as in an oil spill, contaminated groundwater, or an industrial process) by the use of microorganisms (as bacteria) that break down the undesirable substances
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bioremediation
Biotechnology: the use of microorganisms, such as bacteria or yeasts, or biological substances, such as enzymes, to perform specific industrial or manufacturing processes. Applications include the production of certain drugs, synthetic hormones, and bulk foodstuffs as well as the bioconversion of organic waste and the use of genetically altered bacteria in the cleanup of oil spills.
The American Heritage® Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2007, 2004 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
BT: An insecticide composed of a genetically altered bacterium (Bacillus thuringiensis) that is used to control many kinds of caterpillars that are pests of ornamental, crop, and other plants.
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/Bt
Blunt end: In molecular biology, a blunt end may result from the breaking of double-stranded DNA; however, there are no overhangs or unpaired bases.
http://www.biology-online.org/dictionary/Blunt_end
DNA (deoxirionucleic acid): A nucleic acid that carries the genetic information in the cell and is capable of self-replication and synthesis of RNA. DNA consists of two long chains of nucleotides twisted into a double helix and joined by hydrogen bonds between the complementary bases adenine and thymine or cytosine and guanine. The sequence of nucleotides determines individual hereditary characteristics.
The American Heritage® Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2007, 2004 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
DNA Ligase: an enzyme that can repair breaks in a strand of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) by synthesizing a bond between adjoining nucleotides. Under some circumstances the enzyme can join together loose ends of DNA strands, and in some cases it can repair breaks in ribonucleic acid (RNA). It serves as a catalyst.
Mosby's Medical Dictionary, 8th edition. © 2009, Elsevier
Ecologist: a biologist who studies the relation between organisms and their environment.
http://wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn?s=ecologist
Eosinophilia Myalgia Syndrome: A complex systemic syndrome with inflammatory and autoimmune components that affect the skin, fascia, muscle, nerve, blood vessels, lung, and heart.
http://www.nemsn.org/symptoms.htm
Enzymes: a protein that catalyzes chemical reactions of other substances without itself being destroyed or altered upon completion of the reactions. Enzymes are divided into six main groups: oxidoreductases, transferases, hydrolases, lyases, isomerases, and ligases
Dorland's Medical Dictionary for Health Consumers. © 2007 by Saunders
Gel Electrophoresis: Electrophoresis performed in a gel composed of agarose, polyacrylamide, or starch.
The American Heritage® Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2007, 2004 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Gene Flow: Transfer of genes from one population to another of the same species, as by migration or the dispersal of seeds and pollen.
The American Heritage® Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2007, 2004 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Genetically Modified Organisms: An organism whose genetic characteristics have been altered by the insertion of a modified gene or a gene from another organism using the techniques of genetic engineering.
The American Heritage® Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2007, 2004 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Genetic engineering: Scientific alteration of the structure of genetic material in a living organism. It involves the production and use of recombinant DNA and has been employed to create bacteria that synthesize insulin and other human proteins.
The American Heritage® Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2007, 2004 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Herbicides: chemical substances used to destroy or inhibit the growth of plants, especially weeds.
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/herbicide
L-Tryptophan: The biologically active form of the amino acid tryptophan, which is capable of being incorporated into proteins, such as the neurotransmitter serotonin. It was used formerly as a dietary supplement especially to promote sleep and relieve depression
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/L-tryptophan
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/l-tryptophan
Nucleobases: generic term for any of the nitrogenous rings found on nucleosides, nucleotides, and nucleic acids.
http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/glossary=nucleobase
Nucleotides: Any of various compounds consisting of a nucleoside combined with a phosphate group and forming the basic constituent of DNA and RNA.
The American Heritage® Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2007, 2004 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Pesticide: A chemical used to kill pests, especially insects.
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/pesticide
Plasmid: A circular, double-stranded unit of DNA that replicates within a cell independently of the chromosomal DNA. Plasmids are most often found in bacteria and are used in recombinant DNA research to transfer genes between cells.
The American Heritage® Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2007, 2004 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Polymerase Chain Reaction: (PCR) a rapid technique for in vitro amplification of specific DNA or RNA sequences, allowing small quantities of short sequences to be analyzed without cloning.
Dorland's Medical Dictionary for Health Consumers. © 2007 by Saunders
Proposition 37: the idea that all genetically modified products must be labeled.
http://www.mercurynews.com/elections/ci_21943915/proposition-37-trailing-early-returns
Recombinant DNA: Genetically engineered DNA prepared by transplanting or splicing genes from one species into the cells of a host organism of a different species. Such DNA becomes part of the host's genetic makeup and is replicated.
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/recombinant+dna
Restriction endonuclease: See restriction enzymes
Restriction enzymes: Any of a group of enzymes that catalyze the cleavage of DNA at specific sites to produce discrete fragments, used especially in genetic engineering. Also called restriction endonuclease.
The American Heritage® Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2007, 2004 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Sticky End: An end of DNA in which one strand of the double helix extends a few units beyond the other
Farlex Dictionary
Super weed: a hybrid plant that contains genes for herbicide resistance: produced by accidental crossing of genetically engineered crop plants with wild plants.
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/superweed
Transcription: he synthesis of RNA using a DNA template catalyzed by RNA polymerase; the base sequences of the RNA and DNA are complementary.
Dorland's Medical Dictionary for Health Consumers. © 2007 by Saunders
Transgene- A gene that is transferred from an organism of one species to an organism of another species by genetic engineering
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged
Translation: in genetics, the process by which polypeptide chains are synthesized, the sequence of amino acids being determined by the sequence of bases in a messenger RNA, which in turn is determined by the sequence of bases in the DNA of the gene from which it was transcribed.
Dorland's Medical Dictionary for Health Consumers. © 2007 by Saunders,
Vectors: A self-replicating DNA molecule that transfers a DNA segment between host cells.
http://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/Glossary.aspx