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GlossaryGlossary

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a
A-T-C-G search for term
Symbols for adenine, thymine, cytosine, and guanine, the bases that pair up on a strand of DNADeoxyribonucleic acid; The ladder-like molecule that encodes genetic information, in the form of a double helix held together by bonds between base pairs (called “base pairs”) and make up genes
Arabidopsis search for term
The first plant to have its genomeAll the genetic material in the chromosomes of an organism, whether animal, plant, or microbe completely sequenced and mapped. A member of the mustard family, ArabidopsisThe first plant to have its genome completely sequenced and mapped. A member of the mustard family, Arabidopsis thaliana, more commonly known as “mouse-eared cress” is a fast growing weed used in countless biological research facilities because of it relatively small and simple genome. thaliana, more commonly known as “mouse-eared cress” is a fast growing weed used in countless biological research facilities because of it relatively small and simple genome.
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Base Pair search for term
The pairs of nucleotides or chemical bases that connect to make the rungs inside the DNADeoxyribonucleic acid; The ladder-like molecule that encodes genetic information, in the form of a double helix held together by bonds between base pairs molecule’s ladder-like structure Synonyms: Base Pairs
Biofuel search for term
Fuel produced from organic materials, such as wood by-products and agricultural waste
Bioinformatics search for term
A relatively new field of science that combines biology with computer science. Bioinformaticists sift through vast quantities of genomeAll the genetic material in the chromosomes of an organism, whether animal, plant, or microbe data to find genes and determine their function.
Biological Trait search for term
A characteristic of an organismAny living being capable of reproduction, growth, and maintenance, like height or disease resistance, that can be traced to the organism’s genomeAll the genetic material in the chromosomes of an organism, whether animal, plant, or microbe
c
Cell search for term
The fundamental microscopic unit of which all living things—except viruses—are composed
Cellulose search for term
The structural component of the primary cellThe fundamental microscopic unit of which all living things—except viruses—are composed wall of green plants. Wood pulp and cotton provides most of the celluloseThe structural component of the primary cell wall of green plants. Wood pulp and cotton provides most of the cellulose for industrial uses. Cotton is almost 90% cellulose. for industrial uses. Cotton is almost 90% cellulose.
Chromosome search for term
The structure in a cellThe fundamental microscopic unit of which all living things—except viruses—are composed's nucleusThe structure inside a cell that is essential to such cell functions as growth, metabolism, and reproduction that contains DNADeoxyribonucleic acid; The ladder-like molecule that encodes genetic information, in the form of a double helix held together by bonds between base pairs; human cells have 46 chromosomes each (23 from each parent)
Circadian Rhythm search for term
A daily activity cycle, which is typically tied to the 24-hour clock. Many organisms display circadian rhythms, such as sleeping and waking in animals, flower closing and opening in angiosperms, and tissue growth in fungi differentiation.
Comparative Genomics search for term
The study of how genomeAll the genetic material in the chromosomes of an organism, whether animal, plant, or microbe structure and functions relate across various speciesA group of organisms that can reproduce with each other. The most basic level of taxonomic classification.
Cryptochromes search for term
A specific set of blue light photoreceptors found in plants and animals. In mammals, they play a role in regulating Circadian Rhythms. In plants, they help regulate functions, which include germination and light-dark cycles.
d
DNA search for term
Deoxyribonucleic acidDeoxyribonucleic acid; The ladder-like molecule that encodes genetic information, in the form of a double helix held together by bonds between base pairs; The ladder-like molecule that encodes genetic information, in the form of a double helixThe twisted-ladder shape of a DNA molecule. The rungs of the ladder of formed by base pairs (A-T-C-G) bonding together. held together by bonds between base pairsThe pairs of nucleotides or chemical bases that connect to make the rungs inside the DNA molecule’s ladder-like structure Synonyms: deoxyribonucleic acid
Domestication search for term
The process of genetically adapting wild animals and plants into cultivated forms that suit the interests of human beings
Double Helix search for term
The twisted-ladder shape of a DNADeoxyribonucleic acid; The ladder-like molecule that encodes genetic information, in the form of a double helix held together by bonds between base pairs molecule. The rungs of the ladder of formed by base pairsThe pairs of nucleotides or chemical bases that connect to make the rungs inside the DNA molecule’s ladder-like structure (A-T-C-GSymbols for adenine, thymine, cytosine, and guanine, the bases that pair up on a strand of DNA (called “base pairs”) and make up genes) bonding together.
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Evolution search for term
The process of change in the inherited traits of organisms from one generation to the next. This change is driven by natural selection.
g
Gene search for term
The fundamental unit of heredity; a specific sequence of DNADeoxyribonucleic acid; The ladder-like molecule that encodes genetic information, in the form of a double helix held together by bonds between base pairs that controls the transmission and expression of one or more hereditary traits
Gene Sequencing search for term
The scientific reading of an organism’s genetic code, identifying all the base pairsThe pairs of nucleotides or chemical bases that connect to make the rungs inside the DNA molecule’s ladder-like structure and determining their order in the genomeAll the genetic material in the chromosomes of an organism, whether animal, plant, or microbe
Gene Targeting search for term
The insertion of DNADeoxyribonucleic acid; The ladder-like molecule that encodes genetic information, in the form of a double helix held together by bonds between base pairs into specific sites or genes within the genomeAll the genetic material in the chromosomes of an organism, whether animal, plant, or microbe
Genetic Engineering search for term
Altering the genetic material of cells or organisms to enable them to make new substances or perform new functions
Genetic Variation search for term
The differences in inherited traits that exist within a particular speciesA group of organisms that can reproduce with each other. The most basic level of taxonomic classification.
Genetically Modified Organism search for term
Also known as GMOAlso known as GMO. An organism whose genetic material has been altered using genetic engineering techniques. An organismAny living being capable of reproduction, growth, and maintenance whose genetic material has been altered using genetic engineeringAltering the genetic material of cells or organisms to enable them to make new substances or perform new functions techniques Synonyms: GMO
Genetics search for term
The scientific study of heredity
Genome search for term
All the genetic material in the chromosomes of an organismAny living being capable of reproduction, growth, and maintenance, whether animal, plant, or microbe
Genome Size search for term
The total amount of DNADeoxyribonucleic acid; The ladder-like molecule that encodes genetic information, in the form of a double helix held together by bonds between base pairs contained within one copy of a genomeAll the genetic material in the chromosomes of an organism, whether animal, plant, or microbe
Genomics search for term
The study of genes and their functions
Gossypium Hirsutum search for term
The most widely planted speciesA group of organisms that can reproduce with each other. The most basic level of taxonomic classification. of cotton in the United States, constituting some 95% of all cotton production
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Homology search for term
Similarity in DNADeoxyribonucleic acid; The ladder-like molecule that encodes genetic information, in the form of a double helix held together by bonds between base pairs or protein sequences between individuals of the same speciesA group of organisms that can reproduce with each other. The most basic level of taxonomic classification. or among different species
Hybrid search for term
The offspring of genetically different parents
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Late Blight search for term
A plant disease that attacks both potatoes and tomatoes. Late blightA plant disease that attacks both potatoes and tomatoes. Late blight is caused by a fungal pathogen or germ that survives from one season to the next in infected potato tubers. is caused by a fungal pathogenAn infectious agent or organism, sometimes called “germs”. Late blight is an example of a pathogen. or germ that survives from one season to the next in infected potato tubers. Synonyms: blight
m
Maize search for term
The proper term for the corn plant. MaizeThe proper term for the corn plant. Maize was domesticated from the wild teosinte plant in ancient Mexico was domesticated from the wild teosinteThe ancient ancestor of modern corn. Teosinte is a grass that originated in Mexico and still grows wild in remote mountain areas of the Sierra Madre. plant in ancient Mexico
Map search for term
The relative positions of genes on a DNADeoxyribonucleic acid; The ladder-like molecule that encodes genetic information, in the form of a double helix held together by bonds between base pairs molecule
Marker Assisted Breeding search for term
A process using genetic fingerprinting techniques that allows plant breeders to track genes that produce a desired trait to select plants that will reproduce that trait in their offspring. Marker assisted breedingA process using genetic fingerprinting techniques that allows plant breeders to track genes that produce a desired trait to select plants that will reproduce that trait in their offspring. Marker assisted breeding allows plant breeders to speed up the results of traditional selective plant breeding. allows plant breeders to speed up the results of traditional selective plant breeding.
Meristem search for term
Plant tissue from which new cells are formed. The cells receive their genetic instructions at these sites as to what type of cell they will become. They have the same function in plants that stem cells have in animals.
Mutant search for term
An individual, organismAny living being capable of reproduction, growth, and maintenance, or new genetic character that arises from a structural change within the DNADeoxyribonucleic acid; The ladder-like molecule that encodes genetic information, in the form of a double helix held together by bonds between base pairs of a gene or chromosomeThe structure in a cell's nucleus that contains DNA; human cells have 46 chromosomes each (23 from each parent)
Mutation search for term
Any change in DNADeoxyribonucleic acid; The ladder-like molecule that encodes genetic information, in the form of a double helix held together by bonds between base pairs sequence that can be passed from parent to child
n
Nucleotide search for term
The basic unit of DNADeoxyribonucleic acid; The ladder-like molecule that encodes genetic information, in the form of a double helix held together by bonds between base pairs and RNA. It consists of one chemical base, a phosphate group, and a sugar molecule. Adenine, guanine, thymine, and cytosine are nucleotides.
Nucleus search for term
The structure inside a cellThe fundamental microscopic unit of which all living things—except viruses—are composed that is essential to such cell functions as growth, metabolism, and reproduction
o
Organism search for term
Any living being capable of reproduction, growth, and maintenance
p
Pathogen search for term
An infectious agent or organismAny living being capable of reproduction, growth, and maintenance, sometimes called “germs”. Late blightA plant disease that attacks both potatoes and tomatoes. Late blight is caused by a fungal pathogen or germ that survives from one season to the next in infected potato tubers. is an example of a pathogenAn infectious agent or organism, sometimes called “germs”. Late blight is an example of a pathogen..
Phylogeny search for term
The evolutionary history of a speciesA group of organisms that can reproduce with each other. The most basic level of taxonomic classification., which illustrates how it developed—often represented as a family tree
Phytophthora Infestans search for term
The scientific name for late blightA plant disease that attacks both potatoes and tomatoes. Late blight is caused by a fungal pathogen or germ that survives from one season to the next in infected potato tubers.
s
Selective Breeding search for term
The breeding of animals or plants for desirable traits or characteristics Synonyms: Traditional Breeding, Conventional Breeding
Sequencing search for term
A laboratory technique for recording the exact order of nucleotides within a section of DNADeoxyribonucleic acid; The ladder-like molecule that encodes genetic information, in the form of a double helix held together by bonds between base pairs
Solanum Bulbocastanum search for term
A wild Mexican potato that is highly resistant to late blightA plant disease that attacks both potatoes and tomatoes. Late blight is caused by a fungal pathogen or germ that survives from one season to the next in infected potato tubers.
Solanum Tuberosum search for term
The scientific name for the common potato. Potatoes are the fourth largest produce crop in the world and is native to South America.
Species search for term
A group of organisms that can reproduce with each other. The most basic level of taxonomic classification.
Spore search for term
The basic reproductive unit of a fungus. It serves the same role in the fungal life-cycle that seeds do in the life-cycle of a plant. Synonyms: spores
Strain search for term
A genetic variant within a speciesA group of organisms that can reproduce with each other. The most basic level of taxonomic classification.
t
Teosinte search for term
The ancient ancestor of modern corn. TeosinteThe ancient ancestor of modern corn. Teosinte is a grass that originated in Mexico and still grows wild in remote mountain areas of the Sierra Madre. is a grass that originated in Mexico and still grows wild in remote mountain areas of the Sierra Madre.
Transgenic search for term
A process by which a genomeAll the genetic material in the chromosomes of an organism, whether animal, plant, or microbe scientist inserts a geneThe fundamental unit of heredity; a specific sequence of DNA that controls the transmission and expression of one or more hereditary traits into an organism’s genome
Transposon search for term
A discrete piece of DNADeoxyribonucleic acid; The ladder-like molecule that encodes genetic information, in the form of a double helix held together by bonds between base pairs that is capable of moving itself to different spots on the genomeAll the genetic material in the chromosomes of an organism, whether animal, plant, or microbe. When it relocates, a transposonA discrete piece of DNA that is capable of moving itself to different spots on the genome. When it relocates, a transposon can cause mutations and size changes in a genome. can cause mutations and size changes in a genome. Synonyms: transposons
z
Zea Mays SSP search for term
The scientific name for corn. Corn is the largest crop in the Americas.