Backcross Breeding 1 - Basic Gene Inheritance Glossary

One of the different forms of a gene (or marker) that can exist at a single locus. A single allele for each locus is inherited separately from each parent.

One of the different forms of a gene that can exist at a single locus. A single allele for each locus is inherited separately from each parent.

An allele is one of a pair or series of forms of a gene possible. An example of allelic variation would be a dominant vs recessive allele for one gene.

Corn that has been transformed with the Bt gene and is resistant to European corn borer.

A gene originating from the Bacillus thuringiensis soil bacteria that encodes a protein toxic to the European corn borer.

Another name for the CryIA proteins. These proteins occur naturally in Bacillus thuringiensis bacteria and are toxic to European Corn Borer.

A genetic structure in a cell composed of condensed DNA, which contains the genetic code for an organism.

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

A compartment in a plant or animal cell surrounding the nucleus in which many cell organelles and molecules are suspended.

(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.

The process of isolating the DNA from cells of an organism to allow scientists to work with and study it further.

The allele that is expressed in a heterozygous organism.

The undeveloped plant in a seed.

Special protein molecules which function in catalyzing chemical reactions.

Ostrinia nubilalis (Hübner) is a major insect pest in corn that costs farmers millions of dollars annually in control expenditures and yield loss. The European corn borer (ECB) larva feed on the leaves and bore holes into the stalks where they tunnel.

The act or process of initiating biological reproduction by pollination.

Mature male or female reproductive cells (sperm or ovum) containing half of the total number of chromosomes in a cell (i.e., humans have 46 chromosomes per cell; gametes would have 23).

Mature male or female reproductive cells (sperm or ovum) containing half of the total number of chromosomes in a cell (i.e., humans have 46 chromosomes per cell; gametes would have 23).

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 production of a protein encoded by a gene. Gene expression is controlled by the promoter region of the gene.

The sequence of nucleotides, read three at a time, that determines the order of amino acids in a protein.

The allelic composition of a cell or organism.

An organism that has a gene copy in only one chromosome in a chromosome pair (i.e., during the transformation process, the transgene will insert into only one chromosome of a pair).

A pesticide used to kill plants.

An organism that has two different alleles at one or more locations on a chromosome.

An organism that has two identical alleles at one or more locations on a chromosome. Inbred lines are homozygous at many of their gene loci.

Individuals produced by crossing two parents of different genotypes.

An organism that has been self-fertilized for several generations until it is homozygous at all important gene loci, "genetically pure."

Plants within a species that have the same genetic composition and are genetically pure, (i.e., inbred line). Lines are typically experimental, not agronomically competitive (hence not commercially available), and are used only in plant breeding.

Plants within a species that have the same genetic composition and are genetically pure, (i.e., inbred line). Lines are typically experimental, not agronomically competitive (hence not commercially available), and are used only in plant breeding.

A general term referring to the change of a herbicide from an active to an inactive state.

The part of the plant or animal cell that contains the chromosomes.

The observable physical characteristics of an organism that are determined by a combination of the genetic composition (genotype) and the environment of the individual.

The offspring of an organism.

A large molecule composed of one or more chains of amino acids in a specific order. Proteins are necessary for the structure, function, and regulation of an organism's cells, tissues, and organs. Each protein has a unique function determined by its shape.

The production of proteins in a cell. Proteins are chains of amino acids linked in the order determined by the genetic code.

A trait that will not be expressed phenotypically unless there are two copies of the gene allele (homozygous at the locus) present in an organism.

Copied DNA. To make copies of DNA.

The ability of an organism to survive and thrive in the presence of something that would normally cause damage or death, i.e., herbicide-resistant corn, Roundup-ready corn.

The inherited ability of a plant to survive and reproduce following exposure to a dose of herbicide normally lethal to the wild type. In a plant, resistance may be naturally occurring or induced by such techniques as genetic engineering or selection of variants produced by tissue culture or mutagenesis.

Ribonucleic Acid.  A single-stranded nucleic acid similar to DNA but having a uracil rather than thymine as one of the nucleotides. The RNA strand carries the coded information from the nucleus to the cytoplasm where protein production occurs.

A plant's inability to withstand a herbicide at normal use rates.

The inherent ability of a species to survive and reproduce after herbicide treatment; this implies that there was no selection or genetic manipulation to make the plant tolerant; it is naturally tolerant.

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

The process by which the nucleotide sequence of DNA is copied into a single-stranded molecule of RNA. The nucleotide sequence of the RNA created is complementary to the DNA sequence except all thymine molecules are replaced with uracil molecules.

A process by which extra (foreign) genetic material is inserted into the cells of an individual without sexual hybridization.

A gene that has been genetically altered. They are usually used to transform organisms.

An organism that has a new genetically engineered DNA sequence found in every one of its cells. Genetically engineered organisms are transgenic. These two terms are used interchangeably.

A plant that has a new genetically engineered DNA sequence present in every one of its cells. Genetically engineered plants are transgenic plants. These two terms are used interchangeably.

The process following transcription during which the nucleotide sequence of mRNA is read and 'translated' into a chain of amino acids (protein). The mRNA sequence is read three nucleotides (codon) at a time, and each codon codes for a specific amino acid.

The cell formed when the egg and sperm fuse. The cell has two copies of each chromosome (2n) and will continually divide to develop into an entire organism.