Basic Biotechnology Glossary

A breeding method used to move one or only a few desirable genes from a line (donor parent, often an agronomically poor or unadapted line) to an elite line (recurrent parent). This is done by crossing a donor parent to an elite line, and crossing offspring with the 'desired gene(s)' back to the elite parent.

The deliberate mating of two parental types of organisms in genetic analysis.

(deoxyribonucleic acid) The molecule that encodes genetic information. DNA is a double-stranded molecule held together by weak bonds between base pairs of nucleotides. It is the fundamental substance of which genes are composed.

A protein that catalyzes, or speeds up, a specific biochemical reaction without changing the nature of the reaction.

The fundamental unit of heredity that carries genetic information from one generation to the next. A gene is an ordered sequence of nucleotides located on a particular position on a particular chromosome that encodes a specific functional protein.

The fundamental unit of heredity that carries genetic information from one generation to the next. A gene is an ordered sequence of nucleotides located on a particular position on a particular chromosome that encodes a specific functional protein.

The process of adding foreign DNA to the genome of an organism.

All the genetic material in the haploid set of chromosomes for a particular organism.

The allelic composition of a cell or organism.

Plant storage form of carbohydrate.

The characteristic that results from an expressing gene(s). Ex. Upright leaves, drought tolerance, Bt resistance. A trait can be influenced by the environment.