Category: G

An enzyme that catalyzes the synthesis of glutamine (which is crucial for amino acid biosynthesis).  

An enzyme found naturally in certain soil bacteria, which helps those bacteria to utilize soilbome nitrogen. When its gene (GDH gene) is inserted into com plant via genetic engineering, the resultant plant production of glutamate dehydrogenase enables that com plant to better utilize soilbome nitrogen. As a result, that genetically engineered corn (Zea mays L.)…

An enzyme that breaks down sugar molecules (causing oxygen consumption in an organism). A urine test done with a chemically treated paper strip that detects the presence of sugar in urine.  

Amino acids whose carbon chains can be metabolically converted into glucose or glycogen. Amino acids whose carbon skeletons can be used for glucose synthesis.  

An enzyme used in treatment of inherited Gaucher’ s disease in which there is abnormal deposition of glucocerebrosides (hydrophobic lipid molecules that contain a hydrophilic sugar head group). Gaucher’ s disease is an enzyme deficiency disease that may be amenable to cure by incorporation of the gene coding for glucocerebrosidase into the patient’s genome via…

A soluble protein in which the polypeptide chain is tightly folded in three dimensions to yield a globular (roughly oval, circular) shape.  

A neurotrophic factor that assists the survival and functional activity of the brain’s dopaminergic neurons. Because dopaminergic neurons typically deteriorate and die in brains of the victims of Parkinson’s disease, it is possible that GDNF may someday be used in treatment of Parkinson’s disease.  

Plant hormones that, among other functions, regulate the growth of grass (after that gibberellin is activated by an enzyme). In 1 996, Lew Mander and Richard Pharis discovered an analogue (i.e., a chemical that is similar) to grass gibberellin that does not cause grass to grow. When this analogue is sprayed onto grass, it mixes…

The total genetic variability to an organism, represented by the pool of germ cells or seed. In genetics, the germinal material or physical basis of heredity. The heart of a plant seed from which a new plant grows. The substance postulated by 19thcentury biologists (notably Weismann) to be transmitted via the gametes from one generation…

The sex cell (sperm or egg). It differs from other cells in that it contains only half (haploid) the usual number of chromosomes. The sperm or ovum. A cell which is capable of developing into a spermatozoon or ovum. General name for the special cells that give rise to an egg (ovum) in females and…