Biotechnology guide
Written by admin on September 18, 2009
Acclimatization – the adaptation of an organism to a new environment.
Active immunity – acquired immunity to a disease where resistance is built up either by having the disease or having vaccination against the disease.
Aerobic – needing oxygen for growth.
Allogenic – of the same species but with a different genotype.
Anaerobic – growing without the need for oxygen.
Antibiotic – chemical substance which was a byproduct in bacteria or fungi and used to treat bacterial infections.
Antibody – a protein produced by humans in response to the presence of a specific antigen.
Antigen – a substance which induces an immune response by a specific antibody.
Autoimmune disease – a disease in which the body produces antibodies against its own tissue.
Autoimmunity – a condition in which the body mounts an immune response against one of its own organs.
A virulent – unable to cause disease.
Bacterium – a large group of microorganisms with a very simple cell like structure.
Biochemical – the product of a chemical reaction in a living organism.
Biodegradable – capable of being reduced to water and carbon dioxide by the action of microorganisms.
Biologic – a therapeutic derived from a living source such as animal or human.
Biomass – the totality of biological matter in any given area as commonly used in biotechnology.
Biomaterials – biological molecules such as proteins and complex sugars commonly used to make medical devices such as structural elements used in reconstructive surgery.
Bioprocess – a process in which living cells are used to produce the desired product.
Bioreactor – a vessel used in Bioprocessing.
Biosynthesis – production of a chemical by a living organism.
Biotechnology – the use of a biological process to make a useful product.
Cell – the smallest unit of a living organism that can grow and reproduce independently.
Cell culture – the growth of cells under laboratory conditions.
Chromosomes – threadlike components in the cell that contain DNA and proteins.
Clone – a term that is applied to genes, cells or entire organisms.
Co-enzyme – an organic compound that is necessary for the correct functioning of an enzyme.
Culture – living organisms in a prepared medium.
DNA fingerprinting – technology used as a forensic tool to detect similarities in blood and tissue samples.
Enzyme – a protein catalyst that facilitates specific chemical or metabolic reactions needed for cell growth and reproduction.
Fermentation – growing microorganisms fro the production of various chemical or pharmaceutical compounds.
Gene – a segment of chromosomes.
Gene sequencing – determination of the sequence of nucleotide bases of a strand of DNA.
Genome – the total hereditary material of a cell.
Heredity – the transfer of genetic information from parent cells to progeny.
Microbiology – the study of living organisms seen under a microscope.
Pathogen – a disease causing organism.
Polyclonal – derived from different types of cells.
Protein – a molecule composed of amino acids.
Recombinant DNA – the DNA formed by combining segments of DNA from two separate sources.
Scale-up – the transition from small scale production to production large industrial quantities.
Somatic cells – cells other than sex or germ cells.
Yeast – single cell fungi that reproduce by budding.