Glossary of Plant Biotechnology Terms
The definitions provided on this website are intended to provide a brief "working definition" of terms commonly encountered in plant biotechnology for the media. If a word you are looking for is not listed here, please contact the information officer at Lisa.Jategaonkar@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca.
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A
ABA (Abscisic Acid)
A plant growth regulator found in plants that acts as a signaling molecule which helps to control overall growth and physiology. It regulates responses to environmental stresses such as drought, cold, salinity and heat.
Arabidopsis
The first flowering plant to have its entire genome sequenced. Commonly known as thale cress, a relative of the mustard plant, it has become a model organism in plant biology research because Arabidopsis has almost all of the same genes as other flowering plants and has relatively little "non-coding" DNA.
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B
Base
A component of nucleotides, the building blocks of DNA. The four bases found in DNA are represented by A, T, G, and C, which have the ability to base pair.
Base Pair
Formed when complementary nucleotides pair by hydrogen bonding. In DNA, the A nucleotide bonds with T, and G bonds with C. Base pairs form the "rungs" of the DNA ladder and the number of base pairs in a strand can be used to describe the length of DNA.
Bioactive molecule
Molecules that have a direct or measurable effect on living tissues and cells.
Bioinformatics
The use of computers to collect, analyze and store genomics information.
Biotechnology
The application of the study of living things to a myriad of processes, such as agricultural production, hybrid plant development, environmental research, and much more.
Breeding
The directed development of better crops through the selection of individuals expressing the desired traits. Breeding alters the genetic makeup of the population and this may be considered a form of genetic modification of that population. The alteration of plant characteristics through breeding was accomplished much earlier than the discovery of modern genetics.
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C
Canola oil
A low-erucic acid rapeseed oil valued at $2 billion per year to the Canadian economy. The first modified vegetable oil to achieve large-scale commercial production, canola was developed because of nutritional concerns in animals with the fatty acid, erucic acid. In canola oil, oleic acid replaced the erucic acid found in traditional rapeseed oil.
Carotenoids
A large class of unsaturated C40 hydrocarbons. Carotenoids are organic pigments that naturally occur in organisms that carry out photosynthesis. They range in color from yellow and orange to deep red. Carotenoids include a large number of antioxidants such as lutein, lycopene, and beta-carotene.
cDNA (complementary DNA)
DNA produced in vitro in such a way that the sequence of bases is complementary to a particular messenger RNA. Complementary DNA (cDNA) is used to study gene expression because it is more stable than RNA and is more amenable to recombinant cloning techniques.
Chromosome
The structure that results from the packaging of DNA in higher plants and animals.
Conditional Lethal Genes
Genes that are expressed in response to a specific environmental stimulus such as a specific chemical. When expressed, it is lethal to the plant.
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D
Diagnostic
The investigative tools and techniques used in biological studies. For example, a particular set of diagnostic tools may be used to detect and identify microorganisms in food, water, soil or other samples.
DNA (Deoxyribonucleic acid)
This molecule stores the genetic information of all organisms. DNA is composed of four building blocks called nucleotides, represented by A, C, G, and T.
DNA Sequence
A sequence of nucleotides that can be from any DNA region, such as a gene or chromosome.
Double haploidy technology (microspore embryogenesis)
Haploid plants are derived from microspores, or immature pollen grains, and therefore, have only one set of chromosomes. The chromosome number in these plants is doubled resulting in homozygous, pure lines. This technology allows researchers to develop true breeding lines that are easily selected for breeding. It also decreases the time taken to breed plants for particular traits.
E
Enzyme
A protein molecule that catalyzes biochemical reactions in living systems, including those found in metabolic pathways. As a catalyst, an enzyme facilitates reactions without being consumed by them. Examples include the stomach enzyme pepsin, which digests food, and cellulase, which digests the polymeric sugar cellulose into smaller units.
Erucic Acid
The major fatty acid found in rapeseed oil used for industrial purposes. Varieties of oil with low erucic acid content such as canola oil have nutritional value.
ESTs (Expressed Sequence Tags)
DNA sequence information developed by partial sequencing of a large number of randomly selected cDNA clones. These sequence databases describe the kinds of genes and expression levels in a particular tissue.
Expressed
Genes for which there is current expression of the mRNA ('turned on'). For example, a gene may be expressed in a particular tissue or at a particular developmental stage but not at other times or in other tissues.
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F
Feed
Food for livestock, usually consisting of grains such as corn, rye and barley.
Flavonoids
A group of chemical compounds found in all plants, most notably fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and roots. Flavonoids are divided into 5 categories: flavonols, flavones, flavanones, flavan-3-ols, and anthocyanidins. Flavonoids are most commonly known for their antioxidant activity.
Functional Food
A functional food is "consumed as part of a usual diet that is similar in appearance to, or may be, a conventional food, and is demonstrated to have physiological benefits and/or reduce the risk of chronic disease beyond basic nutritional functions." (Health Canada)
Functional Genomics
An area of study that determines what trait or function a gene encodes.
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Gene
A segment of DNA comprising regulatory sequences and a coding region that specifies the amino acid sequence of a particular protein.
Genetic Engineering
A process in which an isolated and well characterized gene is delivered, integrated and expressed in a host cell.
Genetic Map
A figure demonstrating the relative position of specific genes along a chromosome.
Genetic Marker
A small region of DNA along a chromosome that can be used to indicate the location of a gene or other DNA sequence.
Genetic Modification
The alteration to an organism's genome by any number of methods, including inserting, transferring, or deleting genes or other DNA sequences.
Genome
The complete sequence of DNA, including all of the genes, of an organism.
Genomics
The study of the genome.
Genotype
The genetic make-up of an organism. It usually describes the alleles present in a specific gene locus.
GM (Genetically Modified) Foods
Foods modified by genetic manipulation (a type of novel food). (Health Canada)
Green Seed
A canola production problem in which an early frost inhibits the degradation of the green pigment chlorophyll. The presence of chlorophyll in the oil lowers the yield and grade of oil obtained from the seed.
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Hybrid
A plant formed by the breeding of two different plant species.
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IMC (Isolated Microspore Culture) Systems
Offer an unlimited supply of embryogenic cells and developing embryos, which facilitate studies of key developmental processes revelant to seed formation and metabolism.
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Knock-outs
A plant in which a gene has been rendered non-functional. By eliminating the gene's function, the investigator can infer its role in the plant's physiology from the phenotype.
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Meal
Consists of canola seed remains after oil has been extracted from them.
Metabolic Pathway
A series of chemical reactions catalyzed by enzymes in a living system. The products of the pathways have vital functions. For example, the Kennedy metabolic pathways found in plants are involved in producing various types of seed oil.
Microarrays
A tool to examine the expression levels and intertwined interactions among genes and among their products. Complementary DNA (cDNA) of interest is affixed to a glass slide in an ordered array. The expression level is determined by the binding to cDNA.
Click here to learn more about complementarity.
Microspores
Immature pollen grains that can be effectively triggered and cultured under sterile conditions to produce embryos which can be regenerated into plants (a process called androgenesis).
Molecular Biology
The study of the molecules in living organisms, the reactions they undergo, how these reactions are controlled and how molecules are assembled into larger structures such as membranes and fibers.*
Molecular biology is the study of biology at the level of molecules rather than tissues or cells.
Molecular Farming
The application of biotechnology for the selected production of pharmaceutical compounds or other health or industrial compounds within a living organism (e.g. microbe, agricultural crop, livestock).
MS (Mass Spectrometry)
A powerful analytical technique used to identify and measure a wide variety of biological and chemical compounds. Applications include molecular weight analysis of proteins and oligosaccharides and the identification and characterization of natural products.
Mutation
A change to the nucleotide sequence in a gene or other DNA sequence. A mutation may be harmful, beneficial, or be of no consequence to the plant.
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N
Nitrogenous Base
See Base.
NMR (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance) Spectroscopy
A non-invasive analytical technique with an infinitely broad range of applications in plant biotechnology and food processing. It is similar to MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) in that it can be used for medical applications. Non-destructive analysis with this tool can be applied to a wide range of research challenges, including the determination of chemical structure, microimaging and plant metabolism studies.
Novel Foods
Products that have never been used as a food; foods which result from a process that has not previously been used for food; or, foods that have been modified by genetic manipulation (genetically modified foods). (Health Canada)
Nucleotide
The building blocks of DNA which consist of a base, sugar, and phosphate group.
Nutraceutical
A product isolated or purified from food that is generally sold in medicinal forms not usually associated with food. A nutraceutical has been demonstrated to have a physiological benefit or provide protection against chronic disease.
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O
Oilseeds
Seeds that are used in the production of cooking oils and other food products, such as margarine. Oilseeds include canola, soybean, flaxseed, safflower and sunflower seeds. (Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada)
Outcrossing
The transfer of genetic information among plants, generally through pollen. Outcrossing occurs for all plants whether genetically modified or not.
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Pathogen
An organism, usually a microbe, that causes adverse effects in its host that may cause disease.
PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction)
A method of increasing the quantity of a specific DNA sequence.
PGPRs (Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria)
A class of bacteria that enhance canola plant growth by preventing deleterious effects of other microorganisms that are harmful to plants.
Phenolics
Plant compounds (structurally characterized by an alcohol group on an aromatic ring) that impart a variety of functions to plants, including defence mechanisms and interactions with other organisms. Phenolics can also determine plant properties such as flavour and palatability.
Phenotype
The visible or measurable characteristics of an organism.
Phytoremediation
The use of plants to clean up sites that have been contaminated with chemicals or petroleum products.
Plant hormones
Plant-produced signal molecules that regulate germination, growth, metabolism and other physiological functions. The major classes include: auxins, cytokinins, ethylene, gibberellins, and abscisic acid (ABA).
PIs (Protease Inhibitors)
Proteins that accumulate in the seeds and storage organs of many plants. PIs protect plants against a variety of insect, bacterial and fungal pathogens.
PNTs (Plants with Novel Traits)
Any genetic plant strain with characteristics that show neither familiarity nor substantial equivalent traits to plant species already cultivated in Canada.
Pollen
The plant equivalent of sperm produced in abundance by anthers, the male reproductive organs found in most flowering plants. Immature pollen grains called microspores have significant biotechnological implications.
Promoter
Target binding sites on a DNA strand for RNA polymerase or other proteins which control gene expression.
Proteomics
A study of an organism's proteins, including the molecular structure of the protein. Protein structure often determines the roles that proteins play in plant physiology.
Pulse Crops
Grain legumes, such as peas, beans, chickpeas and lentils.
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R
Rapeseed
A plant widely grown for its industrial oil in the 1940's. In the 1960's breeding efforts led to the removal of two compounds, erucic acid and glucosinolates, changing the plant to an edible oilseed now called canola.
Regulatory Sequences
DNA sequences which direct transcription to occur in the desired tissues and at the correct stages of plant development.
Restriction Enzymes
Enzymes that recognize specific DNA sequences and cleave them to produce DNA fragments of varying length. The ability to specifically cleave DNA sequences at known sites underlies many of the advances made over the last several decades in molecular biology.
RFLPs (Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphisms)
Variations, or polymorphisms, within specific regions of genomes that are detected by restriction enzymes. Restriction enzymes produce DNA fragments of varying length based on genetic differences at the nucleotide level.
Rhizosphere
The area around plant roots that is the site of many key interactions between microbes and the plant. It is also the site where nutrients are transformed for take-up by the plant.
S
Saponins
A group of compounds (triterpene or steroid glycosides) which are produced naturally in a variety of plant species. Saponins are distinctive for their soap-like nature, and they have also been shown to demonstrate various favorable bioactivities.
SAR (Systemic Acquired Resistance)
A long-lasting and broad host-range defense mechanism in plants that can be brought about by previously treating a plant, or parts of it, with microbes that induce cell death.
Sequencing
Determination of the nucleotide sequence of the DNA. DNA is composed of 4 nucleotides represented by the 'building blocks' A, C, G, and T. The order of A, C, G and T within the DNA strand determines the start and stop, when the gene is expressed and most importantly provides the information specifying the amino acid sequence of the protein to be produced from that gene.
Stomatal Closure Response
The response by plants to environmental stress such as drought, which reduces stomatal pore size. This leads to reduced water transpiration rates and restricted access of CO2 to the leaves.
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T
Transcription factor
A DNA-binding protein required for the activation and regulation of expression of a gene.
Transgenic Plant
A genetically modified plant with a new gene (transgene) that may impart a new function. For example, transgenic Bt corn can produce its own insecticide.
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* Source: Boudreault-Lapointe, Lise. Plant Biotechnology Vocabulary. Department of the Secretary of State of Canada, Terminology Bulletin 180, 1988.
